Animals get themselves up to all sorts - and nobody sees that more than the RSPCA’s team of rescuers.
In 2021, 281,390 incidents were reported to the charity’s frontline teams via its emergency hotline - 44,998 in the South East and 4,355 in Hertfordshire (Figures relate to number of incidents reported between January 1, and November 30, 2021) - including a fox cub who needed help after getting his back leg stuck in the metal grate of a drain in Berkhamsted.
Rescuer Lauren Bailey was called to help the stricken youngster on August 8, when passers-by spotted the poor cub.
She said: “The fox must have got stuck after his leg fell down the gap and was quite distressed and bedraggled, from the rain, when I arrived.
"We offered him a little dish of water and then set about carefully trying to wriggle him free. Thankfully, I was able to get him out but was concerned about his leg so took him to a wildlife hospital for treatment.”
Luckily, all the rescues featured here had happy endings. Here the RSPCA reveals its top rescues of 2021 across the South East.
The RSPCA is the only charity out on the frontline rescuing animals from all sorts of situations 365 days a year. To help rescuers be there for the animals in need this winter, visit the RSPCA website and Join the Winter Rescue.
5.
A little fox needed help after getting her head stuck in a concrete mosquito trap in a West Sussex garden. Inspector Kate Barnes was called to a home in Littlehampton on 15 June after the cub got stuck while seeking food. Photo: RSPCA
6.
This poor grass snake was shut underneath a fire door at a hotel in Dorking, Surrey. RSPCA rescuer Chloe Wilson was called to help him after he was spotted by staff arriving for their morning shift with his body trapped inside and his head outside, on 6 July. Photo: RSPCA
7.
A florist was left in a panic after finding a tiny exotic frog in a shipment of flowers from overseas. Inspector Jo Bowling went to Cranleigh, Surrey, on 17 July to collect the pretty orange flower, still wrapped in cellophane, with the little frog inside. Photo: RSPCA
8.
A tiny pipistrelle bat ended up in a spot of bother after falling down a metal light shaft in a loft in Thatcham, Berkshire. The concerned homeowners contacted the RSPCA for help and rescuer Becky Timberlake went to help on 25 July. Photo: RSPCA