Islanders are being urged to do their bit amid ‘new’ challenges for animals.
The RSPCA is set to mark its 200th birthday amid its busiest week of the year - with the charity using its landmark anniversary to issue a rallying call for the the Isle of Wight to join a million-strong movement for animals.
Last year, across England and Wales, the charity took an astonishing 31,947 calls to its emergency line during its birthday week (12-18 June) - more than any other week of the entire year.
The charity's rescuers also dealt with 5,573 incidents in that week alone - with its dedicated frontline teams responding to countless pets, wild and other animals subjected to cruelty, neglect and mistreatment.
Some 32 of the incidents dealt with that week were on the Isle of Wight, with the charity dealing with a total of 1,058 separate incidents across the county throughout 2023.
Animal rescuers are now braced for another busy period this year - as they prepare to celebrate 200 years of the RSPCA working with the public to change animals’ lives for the better.
It has already been incredibly busy for RSPCA officers throughout their 200th year - with 330,415 calls from across England and Wales received by the charity's emergency line (up to 27 May) even before the busiest summer months begin; and rescuers dealing with a whopping 116,512 incidents of concern.
In Ryde, a fox cub was given a helping hand after getting his head trapped in a wire fence in June last year.
Animal Rescue Officer Kane Goodyear managed to cut him free before taking him to a specialist wildlife centre for care and treatment before being released back into the wild.
Now the charity is urging people to join its million-strong movement with animals facing "some of the biggest threats in our history" - including the cost of living crisis, the growth of intensive farming and climate change.
RSPCA Chief Executive Chris Sherwood said:
"Our dedicated rescue teams are so busy on the frontline for animals, and - as we celebrate our landmark 200th anniversary this week - we're expecting to be as busy as ever.
"Our birthday week was the busiest week of the whole year last year - and we’re proud that, working with the public, we’re continuing to help animals on the Isle of Wight and across the country."
Sunday (16 June) marks two centuries since the animal welfare organisation - then the SPCA - was founded at Old Slaughter's Coffee House in London, by a London vicar, Arthur Broome, and 22 founding members, including the MPs William Wilberforce and Richard Martin.
By 1840, Queen Victoria had given permission for the Society to add 'Royal' to its name - and this Royal link was recently maintained with HRH King Charles III confirmed as the charity's new patron.
In the 200 years since its formation, the RSPCA has worked to change industries, laws, minds, and animals' lives - and believes working with the public, and education, will be key with animals now facing a raft of new challenges.
The charity has launched a new tool on its website to help people understand how they can help an animal in need as quickly as possible.
To find out more about how you can join the RSPCA’s million-strong movement for animals follow this link.
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