The RSPCA is launching its 2018 Christmas appeal asking animal lovers to help Stock the Sleigh with vital items to make the festive season happy, healthy and safe for thousands of animals.
Last year during the festive season (*1-31 Dec), the charity received 4,587 calls in the East of England to its 24-hour cruelty hotline with concerns about animals in distress.
During December, the RSPCA also took in nearly 5,500 animals and gave them a warm bed, food, veterinary care and the care and attention they desperately needed, as well as continuing to look after thousands of animals already in their care.
On Christmas Day last year, centres in the East were looking after more than 300 animals – Block Fen in Cambridgeshire had 158 and Southridge in Hertfordshire cared for 184, giving them warmth, food and care.
This year, the charity’s inspectors will be out 24/7 rescuing animals from pets to livestock to wildlife in all weathers but for many animals brought to safety it is just the start of a long road to recovery and a new life.
Many animals spend weeks, months, and sometimes years in our care getting vet treatment, rehabilitation, training, socialisation, food, warmth, and anything else they need to go on to live a happy healthy life but we can only do that with generous support from the public.
It costs more than £750,000 on average to run an animal centre for a year and animal lovers can help us provide that vital care by donating to us and helping us to deliver kindness to animals this Christmas.
To donate to the RSPCA’s Stock the Sleigh campaign, visit www.rpsca.org.uk/stockthesleigh
