And there's more...
We work around the clock rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals, so it's not possible to mention every
project in this review. Here are a few more stories about what we've been doing for animal welfare in 2014.
RSPCA BIG Walkies
In summer, we ran RSPCA BIG Walkies events in Stockport and
Chesterfield. Staffy-cross Barlow and his owner Ben Wright took part
in the Stockport walk, as a way of thanking us for saving Barlow from a
brutal dog-fighting ring. In 2015 we have two flagship RSPCA BIG Walkies
in London and Birmingham, plus 23 regional RSPCA BIG Walkies planned.
www.rspca.org.uk/bestwalkever
RSPCA Week 2014
Every year during RSPCA Week we ask our supporters to help us
promote our life-saving work and raise the funds
we need to help animals. In 2014 we wanted
people to think about the shared responsibility we
should all take for animals in our society.
We held a coffee house debate during the week,
on 16 June, RSPCA Founders' Day. It recognised
the day back in 1824 when a group of men,
including MPs Richard Martin and
William Wilberforce, sat in Old
Slaughter's Coffee House in
St Martin's Lane, London, and
came up with the idea of forming a society that would
look after the welfare of animals. The coffee house
debate was held at the RSPCA's birthplace in St Martin's
Lane, London, which is now a Pret A Manger store.
RSPCA Week 2015 will run from 1-7 June.
www.rspca.org.uk/rspcaweek
RSPCA pet food launched
In March 2014 we launched a new range of super premium foods for
cats, dogs, guinea pigs and rabbits. All recipes have been devised in
consultation with RSPCA animal experts and are formulated to be
highly palatable whilst providing a balanced diet. There are seven
recipes to cater for cats and dogs of all ages - adult, senior, kitten,
puppy and grain-free for adult dogs. Each is a complete food
formulated to be hypoallergenic, highly digestible and full of healthy
vitamins and minerals.
So not only can you give your pets great, nutritious food, you'll also
know that your purchase is helping us to help animals that are less
fortunate than yours.
See the full range and order at: shop.rspca.org.uk/pet-food
RSPCA Christmas catalogue
Our Christmas catalogue was bigger and better
than ever in 2014, with 400 new products
including an animal design collection of RSPCA
t-shirts printed on organic cotton. For pets
there were RSPCA-approved collars, leads,
beds, food and treats. And we offered a range
of RSPCA charity gifts - ideal for the really
hard-to-buy-for friend or relative!
See hundreds of our products at:
shop.rspca.org.uk
Animal Hero Awards 2014
The winners of the second Animal Hero Awards were announced in
November by TV star and animal lover Amanda Holden.
The Daily Mirror Animal Hero Awards - in partnership with the RSPCA -
celebrated courageous animals and those who have overcome
difficulties, as well as outstanding people and businesses
that have made a real difference to animal welfare.
RSPCA Vice President Dr Brian May was awarded
Celebrity Supporter of the Year. TV presenter and
animal lover Paul O'Grady announced the award and
said: "Thank God for the RSPCA - they do such
wonderful work - and for people like Brian who continue
to fight for animals every day. We all have a responsibility
to care for animals and not to abuse them. It is vital that the
RSPCA is given our support."
The winner of the RSPCA award - Hero Animal of the Year - was Henry,
a springer spaniel. After suffering appalling neglect at the hands of a
former owner, Henry was adopted by Julie Barrett, who suffers from a
number of conditions, including diabetes. He can detect when her blood
glucose is low and has actually saved Julie's life by fetching her mother
when she fell seriously ill with septicaemia. Henry is now deaf, but he's
learnt sign language and is an ambassador for the Deaf Dog Network.
RSPCA Animal Welfare Officer Hayley Plows won the RSPCA Superstar
of the Year Award. Inspirational Hayley works with some of the most
vulnerable members of society in her quest to help London's most
distressed and badly treated cats. Hayley works closely with the police
and local authorities, helps RSPCA inspectors and conducts home visits
for potential adopters and fosterers. She is responsible for trapping feral
colonies of cats, neutering them and finding them new, safer homes on
farms and she fundraises for the RSPCA in her own time.
The Daily Mirror's Editor's Choice Award went to RSPCA East Winch
staff for their work with seals - read more on pages 5 and 9.
Other awards included Rescue Animal of the Year, Caring Animal
Award, Young Animal Enthusiast, Public Service Animal and
Outstanding Business Award. There were also appearances from
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