280 incidents in Northamptonshire last Christmas as RSPCA braces for toughest year yet

The RSPCA has kickstarted a new campaign - Join the Christmas Rescue - ahead of what they believe is going to be the toughest Christmas yet.

The charity fears that the financial strain caused by the Coronavirus pandemic could mean a rise in pets being abandoned and neglected.

The RSPCA dealt with 778 incidents in Northamptonshire across December, January and February with 280 of those incidents recorded in December alone.

Dermot Murphy, head of the RSPCA’s animal rescue teams, said: “Christmas may be different for many people this year but for the RSPCA, our teams will be working day in, day out, as usual, rescuing, caring and rehabilitating those animals who need us the most.

“Last year, we rescued thousands of animals over the winter months and we fear that due to the pandemic, we could be facing our toughest Christmas yet as we are braced for a rise in abandoned and neglected animals needing our help.”

This year, the RSPCA is asking the public to Join The Christmas Rescue by donating to help rescue teams reach the thousands of animals who desperately need them.

Last December, the RSPCA received 63,000 calls throughout December with 950 calls received on Christmas Day alone - the highest number since 2013. The charity dealt with over 20,000 incidents that same month and took 2,587 animals into its care including 558 dogs, 1416 cats, 149 rabbits and 167 wildlife.

Mr Murphy continued: “It’s been a tough year for everyone, including charities, so now more than ever we need your help to continue our vital work saving animals and giving them a voice.

“Our frontline teams are out throughout the winter but they cannot do this alone, which is why the RSPCA has launched its Join the Christmas Rescue campaign to show how we can all help animals.

“From our animal rescuers, hospital and centre staff, and our volunteers to every supporter who picks up the phone to call us when an animal is in need, or donates to help us continue our work - every one of us is vital to make sure we can rescue the animals who need us the most.”

The RSPCA is asking supports to donate to their charity - £25 could help keep their animal rescue teams on the road and £50 could help to feed all of the rescued animals in one of their centres for a day.

Visit www.rspca.org.uk/xmas for more information and #JoinTheRescue.