RSPCA Cymru is launching its annual summary report for 2015 today, which aims to give a snapshot of its work in Wales last year.
Each year the RSPCA receives approximately 50,000 calls from the public in Wales. RSPCA inspectors, animal welfare officers, animal collection officers and market inspectors respond to emergencies and rescue animals from danger 24/7. They are equipped and trained to deal with many situations that threaten animal welfare.
In total 7,589 animals were collected and rescued in 2015 in Wales.
In 2015 animal cruelty convictions were down more than 23 percent in Wales from the previous year.
The number of animal owners who were offered and accepted welfare advice were 5,790 – this is an increase from 5,527 in 2014. The vast majority of RSPCA work is improving animal welfare by giving advice to owners.
Across Wales, through RSPCA branches*, our two national RSPCA animal centres based at Bryn-y-Maen, near Colwyn Bay, and Newport, RSPCA Merthyr Tydfil Clinic and the RSPCA Adoption Centre based at Pets at Home in Newport, thousands of animal lives have improved.
In 2015 the RSPCA rehomed more than 1,750 animals in Wales.
RSPCA branches in Wales provided nearly 10,000 welfare treatments for animals in need.
In 2015 RSPCA Merthyr Tydfil Clinic provided almost 4,000 outpatient treatments and more than 1,400 days of inpatient care.
In 2015 more than 25,000 campaign actions were taken by our supporters wanting to make a difference to the lives of animals. A petition calling for the Welsh Government to ban the use of wild animals in circus was supported by 7,900 people. The Welsh Government has since commissioned a review that could pave the way for Wales to introduce such a ban.
RSPCA assistant director for external relations – Wales, Claire Lawson said: “Although 2015 was another very busy year for the RSPCA in Wales, progress continued in the fight to reduce cruelty and alleviate suffering.
“There was a fall in the number of cruelty complaints and prosecutions, but a rise in the number of welfare and warning notices we successfully implemented and so we know our education and advice is working.
“We’re working hard every day alongside our partners in the police, local authorities and the Welsh Government to improve animal welfare and reduce animal cruelty across Wales.”
The charity has also revealed today that 540 of the animals rescued by the RSPCA in Wales in 2015 were due to abandonment. Sadly many abandoned animals that are rescued by the RSPCA are very badly neglected and poorly so need urgent vet care.
Now the RSPCA is bracing itself for a summertime influx of dumped animals – as it is thought one contributing factor of people dumping their animals in the summer months is down to some owners heading off on holiday and not finding anyone to look after their pet while they are away.
In June 2015, Flint – a lurcher cross – hit the headlines after he was dumped and injured in a playing field after residents from Ffordd Yr Ysgol in Flint alerted the RSPCA to a suspected badger baiting incident.
The residents found a female adult badger in a pool of blood near and also found Flint abandoned in the grounds of Cornist Park Primary School.
Flint had terrible injuries including a tear to the ear, part of his nose missing, broken teeth and puncture wounds all over his body. Flint was taken to a vet for treatment and received two operations, dental treatment along with weeks of pain relief and antibiotics.
After a rehoming appeal Flint found his forever home and quickly settled in well and became part of the family.
The annual summary also features the story of the eight abandonment puppies that were found in a litter bin in Queensferry, Deeside in March 2015.
The pups were so young some of them still had their umbilical cords attached. All the puppies were later rehomed from RSPCA Bryn-y-Maen Animal Centre in Colwyn Bay. Frustratingly despite extensive enquiries and public appeals, we were unable to trace down the owners.
The RSPCA is a charity and we rely on public donations to exist. To assist our officers in rescuing abandoned animals and our hospitals in treating them please visit: http://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/donate/animalhospital