On call for animals RSPCA inspectors respond to emergencies and rescue animals from
danger 24/7. We are equipped and trained to deal with many situations that threaten
animal welfare, and 2014's dramatic floods were no exception. Our officers worked tirelessly
to rescue trapped animals and help people. We also swept in to rescue seals washed ashore
or separated from their mothers by Norfolk storms. Throughout the year we rescued
abandoned, neglected and cruelly treated animals from appalling situations. And our
undercover officers tracked down perpetrators of organised animal cruelty, rescuing animals
from terrible suffering.
Flood alert
When the River Thames rose to its highest level in more
than 60 years, thousands of people were evacuated
from their homes. Our dedicated water rescue team was
on the case fast, responding to urgent pleas to protect
vulnerable animals. We rescued pets from abandoned
homes and led farm animals to safety through
treacherous waters. We also saved 18 ponies from floods
in Dorset. We had been watching over and feeding the
ponies, which were stranded on an island, for three
weeks, but when the water rose even further, our water
rescue team coaxed them through a carefully marked
route to safety in a two-hour operation. Our work
as part of the emergency response team during
the Somerset floods won us a special award from
its county council.
Saving orphaned seals
At the end of 2013, an enormous tidal surge hit England's
eastern coasts. This was in the middle of Britain's grey
seal breeding season and a large number of young pups
were washed off the Norfolk beaches. RSPCA inspectors
rescued 58 stranded and orphaned pups in the three days
following the surge and they were taken to the specialist
seal unit at RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre.
In November, the Daily Mirror Animal Hero Awards - in
partnership with the RSPCA - gave the Editor's Choice
Award to RSPCA East Winch staff for their work with seals.
Lucky lizard
Increasingly, we are called on to rescue unusual animals,
such as the panther chameleon that fell out of a tree in
Southampton. Missing from his home for two months,
the chameleon was exposed to our wintry British
weather and when found in December wouldn't have
survived the low temperatures for very much longer.
Reptiles cannot regulate their own body temperature and
require a carefully-controlled environment to be able to
function normally. If reptiles get too cold they become
stressed, may be unable to feed or move properly and
their immune system is suppressed. Exotic animals like
this are very difficult to care for and need expert owners
who can meet their needs. We took him to a specialist
vet for treatment before reuniting him with his owner.
www.rspca.org.uk/rescue
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128,209
animals were
collected
and rescued
in 2014
WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
animal rescuers
we are the