RSPCA dealt with 337 incidents in Hertfordshire last December, as charity braces for toughest year yet

The RSPCA is launching a new Christmas campaign as the charity reveals it dealt with 337 incidents in Hertfordshire last December.

The charity is bracing itself for the toughest Christmas yet as it fears the financial strain from the coronavirus pandemic could mean a rise in pets being abandoned and neglected.

Last Christmas Day, the charity received more than 950 calls, the highest number since 2013 and it received 63,000 calls throughout December, or 2,000 a day, making it the busiest Christmas period for at least four years.

In Hertfordshire, the charity dealt with 1,029 incidents across the winter period (Dec, Jan, Feb) and 337 in December alone.

The RSPCA is asking supporters to Join the Christmas Rescue by donating to help rescue teams reach the thousands of animals who desperately need them.

Dermot Murphy, head of the RSPCA’s animal rescue teams, said: “Christmas may be different for many people this year but for the RSPCA, our teams will be working day in, day out, as usual, rescuing, caring and rehabilitating those animals who need us the most.

"Last year, we rescued thousands of animals over the winter months and we fear that due to the pandemic, we could be facing our toughest Christmas yet as we are braced for a rise in abandoned and neglected animals needing our help.”

Throughout December 2019, the charity dealt with more than 20,000 incidents and took 2,587 more animals into its care, including 558 dogs, 1,416 cats, 149 rabbits, and 167 wildlife.

Dermot said: “It’s been a tough year for everyone, including charities, so now more than ever we need your help to continue our vital work saving animals and giving them a voice.

“Our frontline teams are out throughout the winter but they cannot do this alone, which is why the RSPCA has launched its Join the Christmas Rescue campaign to show how we can all help animals.

"From our animal rescuers, hospital and centre staff, and our volunteers to every supporter who picks up the phone to call us when an animal is in need, or donates to help us continue our work - every one of us is vital to make sure we can rescue the animals who need us the most.”

To help the rescue team visit www.rspca.org.uk/xmas and Join the Christmas Rescue #JoinTheRescue.