Charity which needs vital funds to keep its rescuers on the frontline and look after animals in its care in West Sussex
The RSPCA is today launching an emergency appeal to keep its rescue teams out on the frontline in West Sussex saving animals through the Coronavirus crisis.
Animal rescuers at the charity have been designated key workers by Government but vital funding is needed to keep them out on the road, continuing to rescue animals from the worst cruelty and neglect.
Although RSPCA centres and wildlife centres have closed to the public, including RSPCA Mallydams Wood Wildlife Centre in East Sussex, the charity continues to provide vital care to thousands of animals across England and Wales and is expecting even more to come into its care in the coming weeks as its rescue teams bring in more animals in need. The charity is also facing a huge financial strain as it is already seeing the damaging effect of this crisis on its fundraising income, while the costs of saving, treating and caring for animals continue.
Last year, RSPCA rescuers dealt with 2,473 welfare incidents in West Sussex and they are continuing to save animals on the frontline through this difficult time.
The RSPCA national emergency appeal is being supported by comedian and animal lover Ricky Gervais.
He said: “It is really important for us all to pull together to help each other at this difficult time and someone needs to be there for animals, too. I would urge people to give whatever they can spare at this really difficult time to support the RSPCA so they can stay out on the frontline rescuing the animals who need them most.
“They are facing huge challenges through this crisis, but their amazing staff are committed to being there for animals in danger in any way they can and they can only do it with your help.”
The teams are continuing an emergency-only service through the lockdown period.
Dermot Murphy, Head of the RSPCA Rescue Teams, said: “This is a time of national crisis, and many of us are anxious about the future and our loved ones. This crisis has touched all areas of life and the RSPCA is no different. As we all face the biggest challenge of a generation, the RSPCA must continue to be on the frontline, rescuing and caring for the animals who need us most.
“Our rescuers, vets and nurses have been designated key workers by the Government which means we can carry on saving animals from cruelty and neglect and we rely entirely on generous public donations to deliver our vital services.
“We are facing immense challenges and huge pressures on strained resources, but our hugely dedicated teams are out there dealing with emergencies and our centres continue to deliver vital care to thousands of animals, with more expected in the coming weeks.
“We know that this is a difficult time for everyone but we must still be there for the animals who are suffering and we are appealing for animal lovers to give whatever they can to help us.”
Since the crisis deepened at the beginning of March, our animal cruelty line has received nearly 60,000 calls.
These include:
The rescue of a snake and then a bearded dragon which were found in two neighbouring towns in West Sussex.
Both were rescued on March 9. It is thought the milk snake is an escapee while the bearded dragon was found in a closed cardboard box which had been left in a ditch down Byfleets Lane, which is along a road which runs between Broadbridge Heath and Warnham. The box had been there for around three to four days, but when the person opened it in order to move it from the ditch they discovered the bearded dragon inside.
Fortunately, despite having been left in the box for a few days the bearded dragon appeared to be in good health and was taken to a nearby vet for a check-up before being transferred to an appropriate reptile specialist facility.
The milk snake was found in the street in Mill Road, Three Bridges, in Crawley, by a member of the public. The snake was safely confined. An RSPCA officer collected the 2ft-long snake and took it to a nearby specialist reptile facility.
RSPCA rescuer Andrew Kirby said: “It was unusual to have had two rescues of reptiles in such a short space of time. We suspect that the milk snake was an escaped pet and we put the details on Pets Located in the hope an owner will come forward.
“It’s very lucky that the bearded dragon was found in time. Exotic pets like bearded dragons aren’t always easy to care for and sadly this does mean we often see them abandoned when their owners struggle to cope with their care which is why we would urge people to thoroughly do their research before taking on any pet. If you’re struggling, there is never an excuse to abandon an animal like this as there are always other options open to you.”
To help the RSPCA keep rescuing animals like these and keep our animal hospitals and centres running for emergency treatment and round the clock care through these unprecedented times, please donate whatever you can spare at www.rspca.org.uk/covid
Many owners are concerned about caring for their pets amid the Coronavirus – or Covid-19 – outbreak. There’s lots of advice and help on our website
