We may think we are a nation of animal lovers, however a new RSPCA report has revealed that convictions for animal neglect and cruelty rose by nearly 34 per cent in 2012.
Launched during RSPCA Week, the RSPCA Prosecutions Annual Report also shows there was a 15.7 per cent increase in the number of defendants convicted last year in England and Wales.
Animals rescued or collected by the RSPCA increased from 119,126 to 130,695, a 9.7 per cent rise (plus the rescue of 64,000 farmed chickens from one flooded barn).
RSPCA Chief Executive Gavin Grant said: "The RSPCA is...
A week after the first reports of birds covered in a sticky glue-like substance being washed up on South West beaches, wildlife charities have today confirmed that the number of dead has passed 1,000. This is in addition to the 200-plus birds in the care of the RSPCA and South Devon Seabird Trust.
The substance has been identified as polyisobutene (PIB) by researchers at Plymouth University. It is the second time in just three months that PIB has killed hundreds of seabirds in the South West.
In this latest incident birds have been found in a wide area from Dodman Point to...
The RSPCA are calling for an investigation after a pollution spill harmed hundreds of seabirds for the second time in just two months.
More than 170 birds, mainly guillemots, were taken to the charity’s West Hatch wildlife centre in Taunton, Somerset, last week after being found washed up along the south coastline covered in a sticky substance. RSPCA inspectors rescued as many of the birds as they could, but unfortunately many more were found on the beaches already dead.
Experts from Plymouth University today (16 April) confirmed that the pollutant causing such devastating...
The RSPCA have expressed concerns after more dead birds have been washed up on beaches in Devon and Cornwall.
There have been reports of birds being washed up at Wembury and Heybrook Bay in Devon as well as Port Wrinkle and Whitsand in Cornwall. On Saturday, the RSPCA said that for all the affected birds found washed up on land, it was likely "more are dying out in the Channel".
Dog walkers have been told to keep their pets away after more than 100 birds were found dead on one section of beach between Downderry and Seaton on Sunday morning.
The RSPCA has been called to the rescue of more than 100 sea birds being found covered in an unidentified sticky substance. Earlier reports suggested the white substance was palm oil, but scientists were unable to confirm this, though they believe it is vegetable-based.
Owen Patterson, the Environment Secretary and the Cabinet’s leading supporter of hunting and other country sports has admitted there is little hope of the hunting ban being repealed.
Mr Patterson told today's Daily Telegraph that he accepts there is no prospect of winning a vote next year, saying only that the vote will come "at an appropriate moment."
Mr Paterson said: "There’s only a point having a vote if you’re going to win. "At the moment I, it would not be my proposal to bring forward a vote which we were going to lose. There needs to be more work done on members of...
As Friday 31 January 2014 marked the beginning of the Year of the Horse in the Chinese calendar, the RSPCA is announcing a huge rise in the numbers of horses rescued and taken in by the charity in England in 2013.
The charity is also highlighting some of the incidents from the past year that made 2013 unlucky for our equine companions.
Figures show that the number of horses taken in or rescued by the charity in England rose by 69 per cent compared with 2012. In 2013, the RSPCA rescued, collected or took in 1,526 equines, compared with 901 the previous year. These horses...
It's that time of year again! It's time for the annual Shelter Day and Fun Dog Show at RSPCA Little Valley Animal Shelter, based just outside Exeter past Swains Garage at Pocombe Bridge.
Sadly, due to the bad weather last year's event was postponed and eventually cancelled. Lucily, this year, the weather forecast looks great for Sunday so it's all systems go!
If you've been to Shelter Day before, you'll know what great fun it can be. If you've not then now's your time to come along and check us out and have some fun too.
Animal cruelty, neglect and suffering are reaching unprecedented levels in modern times according to the RSPCA, the UK’s largest animal welfare charity.
Gavin Grant, CEO of the RSPCA, issued a stark warning today, stating that animal rescue charities are being overwhelmed with animals in dire need, stretching them to breaking point – all at a time when public generosity is under real pressure.
He said: “The recession may be over but these are very dark times for its silent victims – the animals. They have never needed our help so desperately.
