THE RSPCA is today launching an emergency appeal to keep its rescue teams out on the frontline in Essex saving animals through the Coronavirus crisis.

Animal rescuers at the charity have been designated key workers by the Government but vital funding is needed to keep them out on the road, continuing to rescue animals from the worst cruelty and neglect.

Although RSPCA centres have closed to the public, the charity continues to provide vital care to thousands of animals across England and Wales and is expecting even more to come into its care in the coming weeks as its rescue teams bring in more animals in need. Alongside this, the charity is also facing a huge financial strain as it is already seeing the damaging effect of this crisis on its fundraising income, while the costs of saving, treating and caring for animals continue.

Last year, RSPCA rescuers dealt with 5,671 welfare incidents in Essex and they are continuing to save animals on the frontline through this difficult time.

The RSPCA national emergency appeal is being supported by comedian and animal lover Ricky Gervais.

He said: “It is really important for us all to pull together to help each other at this difficult time and someone needs to be there for animals, too. I would urge people to give whatever they can spare at this really difficult time to support the RSPCA so they can stay out on the frontline rescuing the animals who need them most.

“They are facing huge challenges through this crisis, but their amazing staff are committed to being there for animals in danger in any way they can and they can only do it with your help.”

The teams are continuing an emergency-only service through the lockdown period.

Dermot Murphy, Head of the RSPCA Rescue Teams, said: “This is a time of national crisis, and many of us are anxious about the future and our loved ones. This crisis has touched all areas of life and the RSPCA is no different. As we all face the biggest challenge of a generation, the RSPCA must continue to be on the frontline, rescuing and caring for the animals who need us most.

“Our rescuers, vets and nurses have been designated key workers by the Government which means we can carry on saving animals from cruelty and neglect and we rely entirely on generous public donations to deliver our vital services.

“We are facing immense challenges and huge pressures on strained resources, but our hugely dedicated teams are out there dealing with emergencies and our centres continue to deliver vital care to thousands of animals, with more expected in the coming weeks.

“We know that this is a difficult time for everyone but we must still be there for the animals who are suffering and we are appealing for animal lovers to give whatever they can to help us.”

Since the crisis deepened at the beginning of March, our animal cruelty line has received nearly 60,000 calls.

These include:

RSPCA officers were called to rescue two fox cubs whose den had been unintentionally disturbed by workers clearing an area of straw bales and debris in the Runwell area of, Essex on Friday 28 March.

An RSPCA rescuer attended and found four fox cubs in the den – two were healthy and noisy and their bellies full, indicating mum was caring for them.
But two of the cubs were not as bright and healthy – one appeared very quiet and one had an injury to their leg. The officer took the two cubs to a nearby
South Essex Wildlife Hospital for veterinary treatment.

The remaining two were left in situ because in most circumstances mum was most probably nearby watching, but too scared to come out. Thankfully it was reported mum had returned overnight and collected the two healthy fox cubs.

Chief Inspector Sam Garvey said: “Unfortunately while clearing the site workers unintentionally uncovered these little precious babies. They were so young that their eyes were not even open yet. One of the cubs was very quiet and another had an injury to their leg so the pair were immediately taken to a wildlife hospital. The two other cubs were left in situ as they appeared very healthy, noisy and had lovely big bellies so had clearly been fed by their mother.

“They were left in a safe area near farmland in an open box with straw covering them so that mum could go back that evening and collect her cubs and move them to another den. We were happy to learn that mum did return overnight and collect them.”

To help the RSPCA keep rescuing animals like these and keep our animal hospitals and centres running for emergency treatment and round the clock care through these unprecedented times, please donate whatever you can spare at www.rspca.org.uk/covid