Flood weather wreaks havoc on nation’s animals

Flood weather wreaks havoc on nation’s animals

Flood weather wreaks havoc on nation’s animals

The RSPCA has been flooded with calls from the people concerned about animals caught up in the recent weather.

The charity has taken over 1,500 flood related calls since the beginning of the year and provided advice, support and monitoring to over 5,500 animals across England and Wales. Its specialist water rescue team have rescued more than 200 animals over this period.

These are just the recorded incidents but many more will have been rescued as our specialist trained flood teams go about their work in conjunction with other animal charities and the emergency services.

RSPCA national flood rescue co-ordinator Jason Finch, who has been carrying out flood rescues across the country, said: “At times like these it is amazing to see all the authorities and charities pulling together to help those in need.

“The RSPCA has been happy to assist where possible and will continue to do so for as long as we are needed.”

Just today (Monday 10 February) The RSPCA were called to rescue some horses in Wraysbury. Six water rescue trained officers attended, along with support from another officer.

When they arrived at the scene, they helped the owner transport these horses to another safer location, then offered help to nearby residents who had just been evacuated from their homes.

Among the people they rescued was one man with four dogs, six puppies, a cat and some chinchillas and someone with two cats.

Other rescues include:

?     The rescue of 18 horses in Dorset, by the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare. The operation followed a rescue of seven horses from the same area early last month.

?     The RSPCA’s water rescue team and a field officer from World Horse Welfare, the largest rescue and rehoming horse charity in the UK saved two foals and seven horses from a flooded field.

?     Two foals, a miniature Shetland pony and six horses were trapped in a waterlogged field in Colnbrook, Berks, after a river nearby burst its bank.

?     Forty four cattle, three horses and six dogs saved from a farm in Langport, Somerset

?     In the most recent rescue members of the RSPCA’s water rescue team and afield officer from World Horse Welfare, the largest rescue and rehoming horse charity in the UK saved two foals and seven horses from a flooded field.

?     Two members of the RSPCA’s specially trained water response team waded out to the bunny stranded in a sports pavilion in The Home Park, in Windsor, Berkshire.

The country is currently in the grip of a horse crisis with the RSPCA and other horse welfare charities struggling to cope with the numbers of abandoned, neglected and abused horses who are especially at risk in this weather. We are stretched to breaking point with about 125 places at our equine centres but around 1,000 horses in our care.

To help the RSPCA carry out this vital water rescue work please text HELP to 78866 (Text costs £3 + one standard network rate message).

 

-ends-