RSPCA marks 200th year with recruitment campaign
Since 2013, the charity has found a new home for 405,839 pets in need through its network of 140 branches and 14 animal centres across England and Wales
The RSPCA is set to mark its 200th anniversary with a campaign to recruit a million members of the public to help them “create a better world for every animal” during 2024.
The charity was founded by anti-slavery campaigners William Wilberforce, Richard ‘Humanity Dick’ Martin and theologian Arthur Broome in 1824.
In 2023, the RSPCA received 72,050 reports about animal abandonment and neglect, higher than in 2022, 2021 and 2020.
Since 2013, the charity has found a new home for 405,839 pets in need through its network of 140 branches and 14 animal centres across England and Wales.
Also, during that time, 615,000 animals have been patients at the charity’s hospitals while 1.7 million vet treatments have been carried out.
Chris Sherwood, RSPCA chief executive, said: “These figures are amazing and we are so proud of our long history changing lives for animals, whether it’s through our education and prevention work, frontline rescue, rehabilitating and rehoming, or our campaigning – which has helped change more than 400 laws.
“This is a real moment of celebration for us but we cannot ignore the challenges ahead. With the threats of climate change, industrial farming on a huge scale, war, wildlife loss, the cost of living crisis and the legacy of the pandemic, all animals face unprecedented challenges. And we know that our futures and the futures of animals who share our world are inextricably linked.”
He added: “That is why we are launching our million-strong movement for animals in 2024, to get one million people taking action to change animals’ lives in our 200th year. There are things we can all do, big and small, to make a real difference to animals, whether it is joining a campaign, changing the way we shop, learning how to be an even better pet owner, making informed choices about the food we eat, volunteering and more. We want as many people as possible to get involved.”
