RSPCA: “Is that the RSPCA? Can you tell me how to microchip my guitar?”
In a year that has seen an increase in calls asking for help during the difficult financial times, the charity has been advising and helping callers in England and Wales.
Both the national call centre, enquiries department and the RSPCA website have had one of their busiest years to date, dealing with well over a million phone calls and more than 14,000 online enquiries. These range from asking for help and advice for their own pet to reporting cruelty and neglect and requesting that the RSPCA look into the matter.
Whilst the majority of enquiries are genuine there are a few that left staff somewhat puzzled. So here, in no particular order, are our top ten calls of 2011.
— A caller rang to complain that a neighbour’s power shower caused their dog to go to the toilet.
— A concerned resident who thought gulls were in their area were radioactive – it turned out that nearby garden lights were illuminating them and turning them green.
— A lady phoned in to complain that the blackbird in her garden didn’t sing.
— We had call from someone who wanted to complain about someone else’s dirty house. An odd call to the RSPCA because there were no animals involved.
— One caller rang to cancel a visit as their dead tortoise had ‘come back to life’.
— Another caller rang in concerned about the talking meerkats on the Compare the Market advertisement.
— A caller requested the RSPCA to come and get their dog down the stairs as it was too heavy for them to carry.
— One caller rang concerned about a hedgehog on their path. She tried to move it to shelter but was not able to pick up the creature because its suction pad was too firmly attached to the floor.
— Someone asked if they could get advice on microchipping…their guitar.
— Finally an inspector was called out to deal with a report of improper killing of ferrets dumped in a bag. On arrival the inspector found a fake mink stole.
Although we may have a little laugh at these stories, the RSPCA does want to remind members of the public that the 24-hour advice and cruelty line is for reporting serious cases or emergencies concerning animal welfare. Many requests are for animals to be rescued or to report animals involved in accidents.
The cruelty and advice line operates in a very similar way to the 999 emergency services number and non-urgent calls could prevent us from dealing with a serious incident.
People with general enquiries about the RSPCA should call our non-emergency enquiries line on 0300 123 4555. Further advice and information on animal care can be found on our website www.rspca.org.uk
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RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9RS
Press office direct lines: 0300 123 0244/0288 Fax: 0303 123 0099
Duty press officer (evenings and weekends) Tel 08448 222888 and ask for pager number 828825
Email: press@rspca.org.uk Website: www.rspca.org.uk
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