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 to the public to join a million-strong movement for animals.
Last year, the charity took 31,947 calls to its emergency line during its birthday week (June 12-18) – 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.
Animal rescuers are now braced for another busy period this year – as they prepare to celebrate 200 years of theworking 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 received by the charity’s emergency line (up to May 27) even before the busiest summer months begin; and rescuers dealing with a whopping 116,512 incidents of concern.
RSCPA 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.
“To keep creating a better world for every animal, we need more people to take action. That’s why, in our 200th year, we want one million people to join our movement – and to share in our vision for every kind.”
Sunday (June 16) 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.
