RSPCA bracing for busy Christmas across Dorset
The animal welfare charity dealt with nearly 250 incidents in the county last December.
The RSPCA is concerned that this winter is going to be tough for them, so they've launched a Christmas campaign to support their rescue teams.
There are concerns that the financial strain many people are feeling as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic could lead to a rise in pets being abandoned or neglected this year.
Last Christmas Day alone, the charity took 950 calls across the country from people concerned about the welfare of animals.
Last year, the charity dealt with 780 incidents in Dorset across the winter period (Dec, Jan, Feb) and 249 in December alone.
CHRISTMAS APPEAL BEGINS
This year's festive campaign is asking the RSPCA's supporters to 'Join the Christmas Rescue' and donate towards helping the animals who need it over the winter.
Dermot Murphy, head of the RSPCA's animal rescue teams, said:
"Christmas may be different for many people this year but for the RSPCA, our teams will be working day in, day out, as usual, rescuing, caring and rehabilitating those animals who need us the most. Last year, we rescued thousands of animals over the winter months and we fear that due to the pandemic, we could be facing our toughest Christmas yet as we are braced for a rise in abandoned and neglected animals needing our help.
"Our frontline teams are out throughout the winter but they cannot do this alone, which is why the RSPCA has launched its Join the Christmas Rescue campaign to show how we can all help animals. From our animal rescuers, hospital and centre staff, and our volunteers to every supporter who picks up the phone to call us when an animal is in need, or donates to help us continue our work - every one of us is vital to make sure we can rescue the animals who need us the most."
The charity says a £25 donation would be enough to keep one of their Animal Rescue teams on the road for a day.
£50 of support could buy a day's worth of food for all the animals in one of the RSPCA's centres.
You can find out more about the campaign, and donate directly, on the RSPCA website.