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Silliest calls taken by RSPCA
Charity's workload pressured by time-wasters

Cats behaving stubbornly, dogs that need training and birds sat where you don't want them. These are all problems – but not something the RSPCA can help with.

Following a surge in calls to its helpline this summer, the RSPCA feels it needs to clear up what is an urgent matter, and what has simply nothing to do with the charity.

As such, it has released a list of its most silly calls that have been keeping both its staff and phone lines unnecessarily busy:
  • Someone who had just "seen" bigfoot
  • Someone who wanted to know where to buy a bird noise CD from
  • Someone who's car had broken down (RSPCA advised they should call the RAC)
  • Someone who's husband wouldn't walk their dog
  • Someone who's cat was ignoring calls to come into the house
  • Someone who wanted their dog to be taught the green cross code
  • Someone who said a bird was sat on a telegraph line
  • Someone who was watching a 1972 film where an animal was attacked

RSPCA chief inspector Dermot Murphy said: "Summer has always seen surges in demand but, like many charities, we are facing a big rise in calls at a time when our resources are under most strain."

He added: "As much as we would like to help, we simply haven't got the staff to personally investigate each and every issue that the public brings to us, so we must prioritise to make sure we get to the animals most in need."

RSPCA says it has seen a 65 per cent rise in the number of calls to its 24-hour cruelty helpline since last January.

In order to reduce strain for the England and Wales frontline staff, the charity is asking callers to also use the "My RSPCA" section of the RSPCA website to report cases of cruelty, as well as using the website to find general information and advice.

It also advises people contact their local authority for stray dogs and call 999 for animals trapped in hot cars. Furthermore, if safe and practical, injured wildlife should be taken to a vet for free of charge treatment.

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Webinar to explore AMR in vet dentistry

News Story 1
 The WSAVA has invited veterinary professionals to a webinar on responsible antibiotic usage in dentistry.

On 19 November 2025, at 1am, Dr J Scott Weese and Dr Brooke Niemiec will share the latest advice for antimicrobial use. They will present research on oral bacterology, and explain how attendees can choose appropriate antibiotics.

The session will cover pre-, intra- and post-operative guidelines, with recommendations for various pathologies.

The webinar is designed to support veterinary professionals to make informed decisions and tackle antimicrobial resistance.

Attendees can register here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Dechra launches checklist for veterinary sustainability

Global animal health specialist Dechra has announced the world's first Veterinary Green Theatre Checklist (VGTC) to help make surgery more sustainable.

Endorsed by leading veterinary organisations, including the BEVA, BVNA and RCVS Knowledge, the checklist is designed to reduce the environmental footprint of veterinary care, while supporting better animal health outcomes.

The checklist was launched at the World Congress of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia in Paris and will be followed by an internal training and awareness campaign. For more information, visit dechra.com