More than 4,200 RSPCA incidents across East Yorks in 2023

More than 4,200 incidents were reported to the RSPCA across East Yorkshire in 2023. The charity is celebrating its 200th birthday amid its busiest week of the year.

Last year from June 12 - 18 the charity took an astonishing 31,947 calls nationwide to its emergency line - more than any other week of the entire year. The charity's rescuers also dealt with 5,573 incidents in that week alone.

Dedicated frontline teams responded to countless pets, wild and other animals subjected to cruelty, neglect and mistreatment. Some 94 of the incidents that week were in East Yorkshire, with the charity dealing with a total of 4,212 separate incidents across the county throughout 2023.

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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.

A young springer spaniel called Dee Dee is looking for a new home after she was abandoned with a life-threatening leg infection. She’s one of countless animals the RSPCA will be hoping to find new homes for in its 200th anniversary year. The dog was able to do little more than lift her head after she was discovered collapsed just inside the entrance gates of Northern Cemetery in Hull by a member of the public in March.

An open, infected wound on the top of her right leg - thought to be the result of a dog bite - had left her fighting a high temperature and it’s suspected she may also have been beaten. The RSPCA has said the fact she was taken quickly to a vet by the kind person who found her meant she received life-saving care as soon as possible.

Dee Dee, who is around three years old, has made wonderful progress in the charity’s care and is currently being looked after at the RSPCA’s York, Harrogate & District Branch ’s animal centre where she is waiting for a loving new home. 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 in the East Riding of Yorkshire and across the country.

“But we know we can't do this alone - and the support of our friends in the animal welfare sector, and the public, is set to be more important than ever as we all look to work together to create a kinder, better world for all animals. 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 (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.

Chris added: “We’re so proud that - in so many ways - animals’ lives have changed beyond recognition over the last two centuries. But we know animals are now facing some of the biggest threats in our history, from climate change to intensive farming, the cost of living and the ongoing effects of the pandemic.

“And the fact that we expect our birthday week to again be one of our busiest of the year for our officers highlights how the RSPCA cannot do this alone - animal welfare is for everyone.

That’s why we’ve launched a new tool on our website, to help the public understand the best and quickest way of helping an animal they think needs help - like those which may be sick, injured, lost, or abandoned.

“Whether it’s transferring animals to the vet, sharing advice online, or contacting our rescuers to respond to cruelty and neglect, we can all do our bit for animals. Because a world that is better for animals, is better for us all."

To find out more about how you can join the RSPCA’s million-strong movement for animals visit: www.rspca.org.uk/200.