RSPCA Calls Surge
Although the number of calls to the 0300 1234 999 helpline increases each year during persistently mild and dry weather and longer daylight hours, this summer the RSPCA is facing an unprecedented demand.
In June, the charity’s National Control Centre (NCC) received 128,720 calls - compared to 63,200 in February.
Calls about stray dogs, TV/advert complaints, fledglings, barking dogs and even prank calls put unnecessary strains on services during the summer. This is at a time when the RSPCA get more calls about dogs in hot cars, animals wounded in airgun incidents or animals dumped in the holidays - all of which must be a top priority for the charity and increase during the lighter summer months.
Nigel Yeo, RSPCA Director of Operations, 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. 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.”
The charity is asking all callers to please remain patient and, if asked to wait, to hang on particularly if their calls are urgent.
To help manage the workload the charity is advising callers of non-urgent matters to:
Visit the website, which contains essential advice in many areas of animal care – www.rspca.org.uk
Refer to the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ section on the website for more information – this can be found by pressing the ‘Need some help & advice’ button at the top of each page.
Contact the RSPCA for advice or further information by registering on the website by selecting the ‘My RSPCA’ link on the navigation menu and emailing their enquiry to the Society. Please bear in mind that the RSPCA receives hundreds of requests a week and that responses will take some time.
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
