RSPCA responds to nearly 3,400 incidents in South Yorkshire in one year

Nationally, the animal charity has answered almost one million calls since the start of lockdown one year ago today.

The charity said it has had to adapt the way it works to comply with lockdown rules and social distancing but has continued to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home 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, re-homing and releasing animals, and investigating animal cruelty.”

Across England and Wales, the charity received 958,352 calls to its hotline, dealt with 253,714 urgent incidents and took 23,228 animals into care at national centres, hospitals and private boarding partners.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the charity’s inspectors and animal rescue officers are designated key workers and have continued to respond to emergencies and urgent calls, as well as rescuing animals in need.

In South Yorkshire they dealt with 3,399 incidents betweenMarch 23, 2020 and 14 March, 2021.

Chris added: “Over the past 12 months we’ve demonstrated our commitment to animals and shown that, despite the hardships we face, we will always be there for the animals who need us. But the pandemic has hit us hard; we’ve had to change how we work, suspend door-to-door fundraising and cancel fundraising events.

“The charity sector has been hit hard by the pandemic so we’re asking the public to get behind us, to donate, and to help us continue our vital work; together we can make this a better world for animals.”

In October, the RSPCA rescued an emaciated dog found on Wensley Gardens, Grimesthorpe, Sheffield.

The dog, named Stanley by RSPCA workers, was so thin he could barely walk.

Despite efforts to save him, Stanley later died.

To donate to the RSPCA visiting www.rspca.org.uk/give.

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