Rescue workers helped more than 1,800 animals in Nottinghamshire during lockdown

A deer was found running around a Nottinghamshire town in June.

RSPCA frontline officers, animal carers and vets continued to rescue, treat and care for animals in need after the country went into lockdown on March 23.

During that time, from March 24 to August 5, the RSPCA responded to 1,815 incidents across Nottinghamshire – an average of 13 a day.

The animal rescuers were designated key workers by the government at the beginning of lockdown but the global pandemic has had a huge impact on the charity’s finances.

As well as operating an emergency service, rescuing animals in need, RSPCA officers have also been collecting animals from the homes of people who have been admitted to hospital with Covid-19, who may not have anyone else to care for them while their owners are being treated.

The charity’s staff were quickly designated as key workers so they could continue to respond to emergencies and rescue animals from cruelty and neglect.

Dermot Murphy, chief inspectorate o fficer, said: “We’ve had to quickly and drastically change the way we work during these unprecedented times, from the way we rehome animals to the PPE we wear when responding to calls.

“But the priority for us during lockdown has been to continue to be there for those animals who need us, while also helping people who have been hit hard by the pandemic.

“Now, more than four months since the lockdown began , we’ve passed a milestone as we responded to our 100,000th incident across the country.

" And our staff are as busy as ever collecting abandoned animals, investigating complaints of cruelty, providing life-saving veterinary treatment to the sick and injured, and finding wonderful new homes for our residents.

" But to continue our vital work and to survive the huge impact this pandemic has had on the economy and, therefore, the charity sector, we really need your help.”

To help the RSPCA keep rescuing animals and keep animal hospitals and centres running for emergency treatment and round the clock care through these unprecedented times, donate at www.rspca.org.uk/covid.