Our full circle of care Thousands of animals come into our care every year: animals we
have rescued from cruelty or neglect, who have been abandoned or where circumstances
mean owners can't look after them any more.
If they are injured or sick our hospitals and clinics give them vital medical treatment.
Then they have the time and care they need to recover and prepare for a new start in life.
In our animal centres we seek to find pets the best possible future, however bad their past
may have been.
Our wildlife centres and hospitals rescue and treat injured wild animals, from dormice to deer,
rehabilitating them where possible in order to release them back into the wild.
Caring for seals
At the beginning of 2014, RSPCA East Winch Wildlife
Centre in Norfolk had more than 100 seal pups in its care
following the storm surge at the end of 2013 - more than
the centre had ever dealt with in its 25-year history.
Fifty-eight of the new arrivals were less than three weeks
old and needed three-hourly feeds around the clock.
When the young pups arrived at the centre they were
assessed, given medication and food. The seals gained
weight rapidly and once feeding for themselves, were
moved to intermediate pools. They were then moved to
outside pools and released into the wild once fully fit.
A message of support was received from Buckingham
Palace: "Her Majesty, as your patron, has asked that her
warmest good wishes be passed on to all involved in the
rescue operation and the on-going care of the seal pups."
Puffin pit stop
A young puffin found on a pavement outside a Post
Office was taken to RSPCA Mallydams Wood Wildlife
Centre. The weak and exhausted puffin - nicknamed Pat
- was given a full veterinary check-up, including an X-ray,
and fortunately no injuries were found. Treatment at the
centre focused on improving his weight and appetite.
After a few days he'd made enough progress to move
to an outside pool to be assessed for buoyancy and
waterproofing. He quickly regained full fitness and was
released on a nearby beach during high tide.
Polecat release
During the year we cared for eleven orphaned polecat
kits, one of which was found in Wales. He was about
four weeks old and just opening his eyes - at this age he
wouldn't have survived long without our intervention.
RSPCA Animal Collection Officer Ellie West fed him with
a syringe before taking him to RSPCA Stapeley Grange
Wildlife Centre.
www.rspca.org.uk/rehabilitation
PAGE NINE
we carried out
320,128microchippings,
neuterings and
treatments
in 2014
WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO ANNUAL REVIEW 2014
who need us most
being there for those
All the polecat kits received intensive one-on-one care
until they were able to feed for themselves, then they
were grouped together and placed in a purpose-built
enclosure. In November they were released back into
the wild using a special release cage.
Bugsley bounces back
Bugsley the kitten was underweight and very nervous
when we rescued him from a house overrun with
unneutered cats. He was taken to RSPCA Millbrook
Animal Centre where the tiny kitten, who was the runt
of his litter, received round-the-clock care getting him up
to a healthy weight for his age. Staff also spent a lot of
time interacting with him and socialising him with other
animals. Once rehabilitation was complete, we found
Bugsley a loving new home.
Patience pays for horses
In recent years, falling horse prices and uncontrolled and
over breeding have caused an unprecedented rise in the
number of unwanted and neglected horses coming into
our care. With our expert care we turn these animals'
lives around, making them ready for new homes.
But it's a long job. Many have hardly ever or never been
handled, and need months of coaxing to trust humans
- gaining their trust is a lengthy and difficult process.
We assign every horse one groom to work with them
to begin their education. As they learn the basics, such
as being led or picking up a hoof for the farrier, our
patience is rewarded as we can see these horses and
ponies will go on to find new homes and lead happy,
fullfilled and active lives.
Each year to highlight these successes the PRP/RSPCA
Rescue Horse of the Year competition is held at Equifest,
the main horse show in England. In 2014 we took 14
horses and ponies to the show and all found loving new
homes as a result.