Animal welfare figures revealed for RSPCA week

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The RSPCA investigated 159,686 complaints of alleged cruelty in 2010 – which is more than a 10 per cent increase compared with 141,280 in 2009.

In 2010 there were 47,117 complaints in the North, compared with 40,984 in 2009.

86,354 animal owners received welfare improvement advice from the RSPCA last year – 23,241 in the North of England - to help them improve the way they care for their pets. This was up by more than 10,000 compared to the previous year nationally (76,199) and 3,530 in the region (19,711).

In addition, ninety two per cent of people who received warning notices from RSPCA inspectors chose to follow them rather than risk possible prosecution, resulting in much-improved lives for thousands of animals.

RSPCA Week 2011 runs from 2 to 8 May and the RSPCA are releasing their annual animal welfare figures as a way of showing their supporters how they have helped them help animals over the last year.

Martin Marsh, RSPCA regional superintendant for the North of England, said: “It is thanks to the commitment and dedication of our officers that they managed to investigate so many complaints and rescue so many animals, especially given the treacherous weather we had in the early and latter parts of the year.

“Offering welfare advice is a crucial part of the work of the RSPCA since the Animal Welfare Act came into law in 2007. It enables our officers to actually prevent cruelty by issuing owners with advice on how to care for and treat their animals. Over nine out of ten owners chose to follow the advice rather than risking prosecution, which is always a last resort as far as the RSPCA is concerned.”

RSPCA regional manager for the North of England Mike Hogg said: “The RSPCA is and has always been proactive in preventing cruelty and suffering to animals. This is why it is such an achievement that more than 90 per cent of animal owners chose to follow the welfare advice offered by our officers.

“In addition to our work with companion animals, we have a strong record in rehabilitating sick and injured wild animals and birds. We are also working hard to improve the lives of farm animals and have helped to boost the numbers of free range laying hens and pigs raised to higher welfare standards.

“We’re sharing these figures this week, as part of RSPCA Week, so that our supporters can see what we have achieved because of your support and we want to say thank you.”