The RSPCA answered one million calls and rescued 23,000 animals during one year of lockdown.
Despite having to adapt the way it worked because of lockdown rules and social distancing, the charity continued to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome animals during the pandemic.
Chief executive Chris Sherwood said: “The last year has been incredibly difficult for individuals, for families, for businesses, for charities and for animals. But I’m incredibly proud of the work the RSPCA has managed to do during this challenging year.
“We’ve had to adapt how we work, change our procedures, review our practices, and all while we continue our vital everyday work rescuing, rehabilitating, rehoming and releasing animals, and investigating animal cruelty.
“Since 23 March 2020, our key workers have been busy answering emergency calls, rescuing animals in urgent need, investigating reports of animal cruelty and neglect, taking in abandoned animals, and rehoming rehabilitated animals to wonderful new families.”
Over the past year, the RSPCA has:
> . Received 958,352 calls to its hotline
> . Dealt with 253,714 urgent incidents
> . Responded to 14,532 incidents of abandoned animals
> . Taken 23,228 animals into care at its national centres, hospitals and private boarding partners – including 12,977 wild animals, 4,537 cats, 1,887 dogs, 505 rabbits, and 548 horses
> . Secured 498 convictions and convicted 246 defendants, despite huge court delays due to lockdown
