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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 11th July 2013
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Silliest calls taken by RSPCA
Charity's workload pressured by time-wasters

Cats behaving stubbornly, dogs that need training and birds sat where you don't want them. These are all problems – but not something the RSPCA can help with.

Following a surge in calls to its helpline this summer, the RSPCA feels it needs to clear up what is an urgent matter, and what has simply nothing to do with the charity.

As such, it has released a list of its most silly calls that have been keeping both its staff and phone lines unnecessarily busy:
  • Someone who had just "seen" bigfoot
  • Someone who wanted to know where to buy a bird noise CD from
  • Someone who's car had broken down (RSPCA advised they should call the RAC)
  • Someone who's husband wouldn't walk their dog
  • Someone who's cat was ignoring calls to come into the house
  • Someone who wanted their dog to be taught the green cross code
  • Someone who said a bird was sat on a telegraph line
  • Someone who was watching a 1972 film where an animal was attacked

RSPCA chief inspector Dermot Murphy said: "Summer has always seen surges in demand but, like many charities, we are facing a big rise in calls at a time when our resources are under most strain."

He added: "As much as we would like to help, we simply haven't got the staff to personally investigate each and every issue that the public brings to us, so we must prioritise to make sure we get to the animals most in need."

RSPCA says it has seen a 65 per cent rise in the number of calls to its 24-hour cruelty helpline since last January.

In order to reduce strain for the England and Wales frontline staff, the charity is asking callers to also use the "My RSPCA" section of the RSPCA website to report cases of cruelty, as well as using the website to find general information and advice.

It also advises people contact their local authority for stray dogs and call 999 for animals trapped in hot cars. Furthermore, if safe and practical, injured wildlife should be taken to a vet for free of charge treatment.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.