An emergency appeal has been launched by the RSPCA after revealing they have dealt with more than 21,000 animal incidents - an average of 660 a day, or 27 an hour, since lockdown began last month.

The appeal was launched on the day a RSPCA officer promptly attended an emergency on the Shotley peninsula when a Roe deer became trapped in the fence at the former HMS Ganges site.

Neighbours unsuccessfully tried to release the animal but it was so badly injured it could not be saved by the RSPCA.

The incident was one of 205 hard pressed RSPCA officers In Suffolk have dealt since the start of lockdown, with limited resources.

Others in the county include saving an underweight baby tawny owl, and on a wider scale, their hospital teams have helped:

• A pheasant which was rescued from a car grille after being stuck there for eight days.
• Three rabbits which were dumped with fly-litter.
• A stray new-born kitten found with a wound across his body caused by a piece of ligature.

The charity has released the figures as part of their RSPCA emergency appeal launched to keep its rescue teams out on the road during the Coronavirus crisis and continuing to rescue animals most in need.

Animal rescuers at the charity have been designated key workers by the Government but vital funding is needed to help the RSPCA's frontline staff continue this crucial work across England and Wales.

RSPCA rescuers have recorded vlogs to show what it's like working on the frontline, in RSPCA animal hospitals and in animal centres during lockdown. 

Dermot Murphy, Chief Inspectorate Officer, said: "Despite the lockdown, there are still thousands of animals which need our help.

"As designated key workers, our frontline rescuers are still out and about rescuing animals in urgent need of care. The Coronavirus crisis hasn't put a stop to animal suffering and these figures show there are still many animals out there that need rescuing.

 

"Our rescuers have dealt with over 21,000 incidents in the last three weeks, an average of 660 a day and there are many more animals who need our help. However, our resources are under huge strain and vital funding is needed to keep our rescue teams out on the road.

 

"We know that this is a difficult time for everyone but we must still be here for animals who are suffering and we are appealing for animal lovers to give whatever they can to help us."

Since the Government announced the lockdown on Monday 23 March:

* RSPCA rescuers have dealt with 21,137 incidents of animal cruelty and suffering animals which need help

• The charity has received more than 66,000 calls from members of the public
• There are 4,200 animals in RSPCA care*
• The charity has rescued more than 1,274 abandoned animals in need.

 

As well as operating an emergency service, rescuing animals in need, RSPCA officers have also been collecting animals from the homes of people who have been admitted to hospital with Covid-19, who may not have anyone else to care for them while their owners are being treated.

 

The RSPCA is also urging pet-owners to make an emergency pet-care plan should they be admitted to hospital with Coronavirus, including placing a poster in the window informing people that there are pets inside.

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 the RSPCA website.