The A to Z of RSPCA rescues from… axolotl to zebra finch
To mark the start of RSPCA Week, the charity releases a new list of the most unusual animals they rescued in 2014.
Newly released figures from 2014 show the world’s largest animal welfare charity rescued 127, 321 wild, exotic, farm and domestic animals from dangerous and distressing situations.
Some of the weird and wonderful animals helped by the RSPCA last year include a whopping 27 tarantulas and even a deadly funnel web spider.
The highest number of rescues took place in the South East of England (37172), followed by the Midlands (30287). The North of England came third (27446), then the South West (23879) and Wales (8537).
Despite coming second in terms of overall animal rescues, the Midlands topped the table for both dog and cat rescues; while fittingly for a country that has a dragon as its national symbol -Wales took the top spot for reptile rescues. Meanwhile the North had the most amount of rabbit rescues; the South East for fox rescues and the South West had the highest number of the badger rescues.
“The RSPCA works around the clock to rescue thousands of animals every year from a wide range of distressing situations and 2014 was no exception,” said Dermot Murphy, assistant director of the Inspectorate.
“From an axolotl to a zebra finch and everything in between, the RSPCA was on hand to help all types of animals whatever the emergency.
“Sadly we noticed a rise in the number of animals we rescued last year because they were callously abandoned. It is an offence to abandon any animal and there is never any excuse for doing so. If people have pets they cannot care for, for any reason, then help and advice is always available from the RSPCA.”
Highlighting the fact the RSPCA really does rescue all animals, the records also showed rescues of:
- An axolotl
- Crabs
- Marmosets
- A wolf
- An emu
- A Wallaby
- Stick insects
- A praying mantis
Other unusual rescues in 2014 include Bubbles the cat who was lost by his owners and found trapped in a car engine in Manchester and then reunited with his relieved owners who checked local news websites while holidaying in Dubai.
An RSPCA inspector and Animal Welfare Officer also had a shock when a panther chameleon that had been missing for two months fell from a tree. Having been alerted by members of the public the RSPCA inspector then rushed the chameleon to a specialist vet so he could get some fluids and warmth. Fortunately he was able to be reunited with his very relieved owner.
RSPCA inspectors have to be ready for anything when they start their shift, last year they faced an escaped parrot in Crawley and a common seal on Merseyside farmland – 20 miles from water.
This news comes at the start of RSPCA Week (31 May – 7 June) – the charity’s largest annual awareness raising event.
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