One of our centres is looking after four orphaned badger cubs too little to survive without help.

The baby badgers have been brought to our Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Nantwich, Cheshire over the past few weeks. Two are just a few weeks old and the size of small puppies, all have lost their mums and need to be fed and cared for until they are old enough to look after themselves in the wild.

Lee Stewart, manager at Stapeley, said:

These poor little things were not coping where they were but are doing well now. They are just too young to cope without their mothers in the wild.

A series of unfortunate events

One of the cubs, male and as small as a newborn puppy, was found by a member of the public walking his dog near his home in the Welsh mountains near Prestatyn, Clwyd on 29 April. The cub was believed to be orphaned and clearly lost. He emerged from a bush to follow the walker – so the member of the public felt he had no choice but to take him home and keep him in a dog kennel in his garden with a towel for warmth until we could come to the rescue.

Another was spotted a week before running frantically along the grass verge by the side of a road in Stafford, in very thin state. It is thought the three-month-old male has lost his mother and so was struggling to cope on his own. If the passing member of the public had not spotted and caught him, he would likely have run into the road and been run over.

Another female cub was found orphaned next to her dead mother by the side of a road in Stocksfield, Northumberland. She was just weeks old and too young to care for herself, so was taken into our care to be weaned until she is strong enough. A fourth cub, male and thought to be around 12 weeks old was discovered by a local badger group near Sandbach, Cheshire in an extremely thin and stressed state. He was above ground in daylight, and frantically trying to burrow.

Lee added:

All four badgers are now doing well and are on the road to recovery. With a bit of care and attention they should be ready to be returned to the wild where they can fend for themselves.

With plans for a cull of badgers looming, the wild animals need all the help they can get at the moment. It is more important than ever that we do all we can to save those that we can.

It seems crazy that in a few short weeks it is going to be fair game to kill these beautiful animals. For the time being, it is important for us to save as many as we can.

The cubs will be released around September

The four cubs will be weaned and brought up at Stapeley until September time, when it’s hoped they will be big and fit enough to survive in the wild. Their rehabilitation will be very ‘hands-off’ to ensure they do not become to tame and are able to survive back in the wild.

Badgers live in ‘family’ groups so these four cubs have been grouped together in the same pen and will be returned to the wild together.

All the rehabilitated badgers will be TB tested and vaccinated before release.

Find out more about our wildlife centres and read more about our wildlife rehabilitation work and what to do with orphaned wild animals.

Stop the badger cull!

The Government in Westminster continue to ignore scientific, public and poitical opinion and it’s badgers who will pay the price!

Sign the Number 10 petition calling for a stop to the planned badger cull.

For the latest news about the badger cull visit our badger campaign page.

We can’t do it without you

• To help the RSPCA rehabilitate more animals like this, please text HELP to 78866 to give £3. Text costs £3 plus one standard network rate message.

We are pleased to hear that Gloucestershire County Council voted against the badger cull due to take place from next month.

The cull is due to begin after 1 June in two earmarked pilot areas in Gloucestershire and Somerset.

At a full council meeting on Wednesday, politicians voted to object to the cull, and agreed to voice these objections in a letter to Defra.

RSPCA senior scientist Colin Booty said:

“We are pleased to hear that Gloucestershire councillors have publicly objected to this cull. This may raise serious questions about whether the cull can go ahead in this area.

“It also shows once again the swelling of opposition to the cull. People just do not want it – it simply is not the answer to bovine TB in cattle. Vaccination of wildlife and better biosecurity on farms is the way forward.

“The public have made their feelings clear many times, as have many leading scientists and MPs in large numbers voted against the cull at a debate last autumn.

“It is time for the government to sit up and listen.”

Large numbers of healthy badgers will be wiped out

If the pilot cull in Gloucestershire does not go ahead then Dorset, the reserve cull zone, may now be brought into play.

We have long campaigned against plans for a widespread badger cull for both scientific and welfare reasons. We sympathise with farmers dealing with the problems of the devastating disease, but believe a cull would be of little help in eradicating bovine TB in cattle, and could even make it worse in some areas. We stand ready to work with the farming community to deliver more effective alternatives including the vaccination of both badgers and cows and improved biosecurity.

Instead more than 70 per cent of the badger population in large areas of the countryside, many of them healthy, would be wiped out by these culls.

Stop the badger cull!

The government in Westminster continue to ignore scientific, public and poitical opinion and it’s badgers who will pay the price!

Sign the Number 10 petition calling for a stop to the planned badger cull.

For the latest news about the badger cull visit our badger campaign page.

We can’t do it without you

• To help support the RSPCA, please text HELP to 78866 to give £3. Text costs £3 plus one standard network rate message.

17.05.13
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee yesterday (Thursday, 16 May) released a report on dog control and welfare.

The report suggests dog legislation should be consolidated and tougher limitsshould be introduced on dog breeding.

David Bowles, the RSPCA’s head of public affairs, said:

“The RSPCA has tirelessly lobbied successive governments to introduce a consolidated Act to legislate on dog control and dog breeding, and are delighted to see that MPs in the EFRA Select Committee share our view.

“We are thrilled to see that today’s EFRA Committee report also back RSPCA calls for the introduction of targeted Dog Control Notices. The RSPCA has consistently called on ministers to introduce Dog Control Notices as only these will give law enforcers a realistic chance to prevent attacks and improve dog welfare. At present the government has proposed only general measures on anti-social behaviour.

“We desperately hope the government will now listen to what their fellow politicians are telling them and agree that a single, effective piece of law will make real progress to improve animal welfare and protect public safety.”

Improving dog ownership

Current dog laws urgently need updating to protect the public and animals.

Sign our petition calling on the Westminster Government to tackle the spiraling problem of irresponsible dog ownership.

Take action now!

We are appealing for information after a three-week-old lamb was the victim of a horrendous act of animal cruelty in which her ears were cut clean off. 

The shocking incident took place overnight between May 5 and 6, in Gotham, Nottinghamshire.

RSPCA Inspector Susan Hammond was called to attend the incident and said that the lamb’s ears had been cut off cleanly close to her head.

She said:

“This is absolutely horrific and I cannot believe that someone would deliberately cause such an awful injury to an innocent animal.

“There were no other wounds on the lamb’s body and the injuries are not consistent with a dog attack.

“Sadly as a result of the injury the mother abandoned the lamb and the lamb was found on Monday 6 May by the farmer.

“The ears have not been found.”

She said the area is quite remote and is not accessible by vehicle – but there is no public right of way on this land.

Inspector Hammond added:

“The lamb is recovering but this is a horrific attack on a defenceless young animal and it must have been incredibly painful and frightening.”

The land where the lamb was located is behind British Gypsum works between Gotham and East Leake.

Can you help?

Anyone who knows anything about this horrific attack can contact the RSPCA inspector appeal line by calling 0300 123 8018 and leaving a message for Inspector Susan Hammond.

We are only able to help rescue animals and investigate thanks to generous donations from the public.

If you would like to help the RSPCA, you can give £3 now by texting HELP to 78866.
(texts cost £3 + one standard network rate message)

Our pioneering scheme which uses wildlife and the great outdoors to improve the lives of disadvantaged young parents has won an award.

The ‘Hastings Wild Things’ project, under serious funding threat, is based at our Mallydams Wood Wildlife Centre and aims to boost the prospects of local families through a range of activities at its woodland nature reserve.

Last week the scheme won the Junior Section Environmental Achievement award at the SPARK awards, run by East Sussex Council for Voluntary Youth Services.

But the lottery funding it won in 2010 is due to run out this summer and without extra funding it will be hard for the project to continue. We are asking for help to continue the project. We are also calling for more children’s wellies to help the groups stomp through the woodland trails.

RSPCA head of education Dave Allen said:

“This project is just so unique as reflected in the recent award. Not only is it invaluable for the young groups who go to Mallydams, but it could help create a generation of families and youngsters in the town committed to animal welfare.

“What is a worry is that the existing funding comes to end this summer which means the project will need further sponsorship and financial support if it is to continue.”

The project teaches people to enjoy and respect wildlife

‘Hastings Wild Things’ was made possible by a Big Lottery Grant and benefits some of the most deprived young people of Hastings, ranked by the Government as being in the 10 per cent most deprived local authority areas in the country.

It organises activities and games for groups of young parents and their pre-school children and hopes to inspire them through the natural world and boost their self-esteem through practical outdoor activities and education.

Our staff members spend time with the young disadvantaged groups and teach them to enjoy and respect wildlife.

Bel Deering, manager at Mallydams, said:

“It has been wonderful to watching the positive effects this project has had and we are delighted these benefits have been recognised with this award.

“Some young parents came to us from quite difficult circumstances and have really transformed in their time with us. We have seen parents and children – blooming with confidence and developing a real passion for nature.

“Many of them had not had much opportunity to get close to nature before and got so much out of exploring our woodland trails and learning about all the animals which live there.

“Projects like this can only help people and animals. Not only do these young people enjoy getting out and about in the natural environment, but they are so often inspired what they see and become committed to animal welfare as a result.”

We are only able to carry out projects like this with your help

If you would like to donate to the Wild Things project or any of our other projects please visit the RSPCA Choices site.

In particular Mallydams are in need of donations of children’s wellington boots in all sizes for the youngsters who visit the Wild Things project. Most of the disadvantaged families do not have boots of their own and need them for stomping through the woods. Anyone with any boots to spare should contact the centre on 0300 123 0750.

We can’t do it without you

• To help support the RSPCA, please donate online or text HELP to 78866 to give £3. Text costs £3 plus one standard network rate message.

08.05.13

Two leading Wiltshire huntsmen yesterday (7 May) pleaded guilty to damaging a badger sett contrary to the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 at Chippenham Magistrates’ Court in a case brought by us.

The court heard that the sett was damaged by one defendant from Chippenham and a second defendant from Southwick whilst they were out hunting with the Avon Vale Hunt in March 2012.

The first defendant is the joint master of foxhounds and the second is the terrier man for the Avon Vale Hunt.

We received a call that a group of men had been seen on and around a badger sett in Stockley Hollow, Wiltshire at the time that the Avon Vale was riding in the vicinity. The police were alerted. Both defendants were at the sett and hidden in a nearby hedgerow were various shovels, nets and radio devices used for underground tracking.

On examining the area, RSPCA Inspector Ian Burns found that a large hole had been dug directly down into the active badger sett, breaking a tunnel and entrances had been blocked up. A small Patterdale terrier emerged from the sett, muddy, dazed and bleeding badly from his jaw. He was fitted with an underground location collar. The dog, which belonged to the second defendant, was taken to a vet who found his injuries were consistent withhaving been attacked by the claws and teeth of an animal whilst underground.

The defendants gave conflicting accounts at the scene including chasing foxes, rabbits and searching for a lost dog.

Inspector Burns said:

“This was the worst damage caused to a badger sett I’ve seen. These defendants chose to severely and intentionally damage a well-known and active sett. This is clearly illegal. Everyone should respect our wildlife and the laws that are there to protect them.”

We can’t do it without you

• To help support the RSPCA, please donate online or text HELP to 78866 to give £3. Text costs £3 plus one standard network rate message.
• Find out more about what we do and read more about our prosecution work in our 2012 Prosecutions annual report.

07.05.13

We’re appealing for information about a nine-month-old cat which has been found in woods near Poole in Dorset after she was apparently abandoned.

The female black cat was discovered in a box left in woods at Branksome on Thursday, 2 May by a member of the public. They then took the cat to a local veterinary surgery where the abandoned animal was checked over.

Vets provided the cat with some food and water, but discovered that she was blind and may be suffering from a neurological condition.

Appeal for information

RSPCA Inspector Graham Hammond is now appealing for anyone with information about the cat or her owner to come forward.

He said:

“She is an absolutely lovely cat and she’s in good bodily condition, so she must have been looked after up to this point.

“It is just such a shame that she appears to have been dumped in this way. There is no excuse for just leaving an animal to fend for itself, especially when they are blind.”

The cat is now being cared for at the clinic in Bournemouth, which is run by the RSPCA’s Bournemouth, New Forest and District Branch.

Can you help?

Anyone who knows anything about the abandoned cat or who may be responsible for abandoning her can contact the RSPCA inspector appeal line by calling 0300 123 8018 and leaving a message for Inspector Graham Hammond.

We are only able to help rescue abandoned animals thanks to generous donations from the public.

If you would like to help the RSPCA, you can give £3 now by texting HELP to 78866.
(texts cost £3 + one standard network rate message)

Live exports have resumed from the Port of Dover in Kent this morning (2 May) but our inspectors have not been granted permission to enter the port.

The Joline sailed from Dover at nine am today loaded with lorries of sheep for the journey to France and then possibly further afield.

We applied for permission to be present in the port to safeguard the welfare of the animals but received no response.

Our inspectors have been at the port of Ramsgate for every sailing throughout the last year and regularly highlighted health problems with the animals.

RSPCA chief executive Gavin Grant said:

“The people of Ramsgate did not want to see this vile trade in their town and were relieved when it stopped, but now Dover residents are having it forced upon them.

“People going off on their holidays from Dover port will be dismayed to find out that they are sharing the harbour with huge numbers of live animals being shipped for slaughter. The numbers of sheep leaving from Dover is likely to be much higher than from Ramsgate and the facilities at Dover are no more suitable.”

We will continue to seek an end to live transport

We vowed to fight on for the animals after Thanet District Council lifted its temporary ban on live exports at Ramsgate in November, despite huge opposition from the public and animal welfare organisations alike. The animals are transported over to Calais on an open-decked, flat bottomed converted Russian tank transporter, the MV Joline.

At Ramsgate the local authority had closed the port, which has no livestock handling facilities, to live exports in September following a horrific incident when over 40 sheep had to be destroyed. The port was then re-opened in October following legal action by Dutch exporters.

Gavin Grant added:

“The location has changed but the issues remain the same. Like Ramsgate, Dover does not have facilities at or near the port to deal with emergencies. This trade is completely unacceptable, as is the use of an old tank transporter to ship animals across the Channel in rough weather and the apparent failure to thoroughly inspect animals at the port . Animals are being placed at risk and we will not let up in our campaign to end this vile trade.

“We are seeking an urgent assurance from the Dover port authorities that our inspectors can be present at future sailings.”

Take action

Join the 38,000 people who have already signed the HM Government petition calling for an end to live animal exports from the UK.

Find out more about our work to end long distance live transport.

We can’t do it without you

• To help support the RSPCA, please text HELP to 78866 to give £3. Text costs £3 plus one standard network rate message.

30.04.13

Convictions for animal neglect and cruelty rose by nearly 34 per cent in 2012, a new RSPCA report reveals.

Launched during RSPCA Week, the RSPCA prosecutions annual report also shows there was a 15.7 per cent increase in the number of defendants convicted last year in England and Wales.

Animals rescued or collected by us increased from 119,126 to 130,695 (plus the rescue of 64,000 farmed chickens from one flooded barn).

RSPCA chief executive Gavin Grant said:

“The RSPCA is leading the fight against a growing animal cruelty crisis. Our staff, volunteers and branches show tremendous dedication but they are struggling to keep up.

“For us, prosecution is always the last resort. Our inspectors investigated 150,833 suspected cruelty cases and issued 78,090 advice notices last year – these are extremely effective in improving the care of animals.

“However if there is evidence of a crime and serious animal abuse then we will take legal action to protect the animals and prevent further abuse. We also want to see judges taking these offences far more seriously.”

Time to care. Time to act.

Gavin continued:

“More animals need our help than ever before and I urge everyone to dig deep and give us as much support as you can – hold a fundraising event during RSPCA Week, volunteer for us, or if you are able, please give a new home to an abandoned or abused animal.

“Now more than ever we need all animal lovers to stand up against a rising tide of animal cruelty. We can’t do it without you.”

Show your support

Get involved

RSPCA Week 2013 runs from Monday 29 April to Sunday 5 May and is an annual fundraising and awareness drive. Join one of the many activities planned for RSPCA Week 2013, or plan your own!

Give a gift

To give a monetary gift to RSPCA Week donate online, call 0300 123 8181 or text Week to 78866 now to give £3 (text costs £3 plus one standard network rate message).

Call for tougher sentencing

Support our call for stronger sentences for organised animal fighting and baiting offences. Ask your MP to write to the Secretary of State for Justice on this issue.

The cruelty statistics

The cruelty statistics for 2012 show why animals so desperately need the public to support the RSPCA this RSPCA Week and beyond:

• 265 per cent rise in the number of animal welfare convictions relating to small mammals, eg rabbits, hamsters.
• 123 per cent rise in the number of convictions relating to farm animals.
• 117 per cent rise in the number of convictions relating to equines, ie horses, ponies and donkeys.
• 34 per cent increase in the number of convictions.
• 16per cent increase in the number of defendants convicted.

Read the report

The full prosecutions annual report 2012 is a shocking catalogue of deliberate cruelty and neglect – some of the worst cases ever seen by RSPCA inspectors.

Thanks to the RSPCA and its supporters there are also some amazing survival stories, including abandoned dog Brooke who was suffering terribly and half her ideal weight when she was found. Happily she made a full recovery and has been rehomed with the fosterer who nursed her back to health.

Providing an important service

The report makes shocking reading, but imagine sifting through evidence of cruelty day after day. Our prosecutions communications manager Susan Worsfold explains how she puts her personal feelings to one side in our latest blog post:

• Being the professionals animals need us to be.

The rarest of the oiled birds rescued and cared for by us was the first to be released back to the sea on Tuesday 23.

An Arctic skua was rescued from Exmouth beach after he got covered in a gluey substance called polyisobutene or PIB. The substance renders seabirds helpless, restricting their mobility and preventing them from feeding as the chemical coats their plumage.

He was one of more than 200 birds taken to our West Hatch Wildlife Centre in Taunton, Somerset for rehabilitation and care. The Arctic skuna recovered so quickly that he was deemed fit enough to be returned to the wild, at West Bay in Dorset.

Dave McDonald, who volunteers at West Hatch to help in emergencies such as this one, was at the release. He said:

“He was raring to go – just couldn’t wait to spread his wings and get back out to where he belongs.

“As soon as we opened the box used to transport him he was away flying directly out to sea and we just lost sight of him. We all love seeing that – a proper happy ending.

“It’s unusual to see an Arctic skua caught up in these spills and this was the only one. They are a bit more skittish than the other birds we have had in – mainly guillemots and razorbills – so even more important for their survival than usual to get them back to the wild quickly.”

It is estimated that more than 1,000 birds were washed up along the south coastline covered in PIB since 9 April. Our inspectors rescued as many of the birds as they could, but sadly many more were found on the beaches already dead.

Centre manager Peter Venn said:

“This is a great early result after another two weeks of seeing so many badly affected birds come through our doors.”

It was the second time in just two months that a spill of the lethal substance had caused such a major problem and we have joined the RSPB and the Wildlife Trusts in calling for the ban on the discharge of PIB at sea.

All three of us have written to the government urging it to lead an international reclassification of the man-made substance which is used in the manufacture of a range of products from lubricants to football bladders, chewing gum to cling film.

We can’t do it without you

We can only rescue and rehabilitate animals like this with your help.

• To help the RSPCA rescue animals like these, please text HELP to 78866 to give £3. Text costs £3 plus one standard network rate message.
• Find out more about our wildlife centres and read more about our wildlife rehabilitation work.