Author Archives: Rachel Butler

Appeal for information after pony is dumped in somebody’s BACKYARD

Posted on by

The RSPCA and World Horse Welfare are appealing for information after a pony was dumped in somebody’s BACKYARD in Stoke-on-Trent.

The young colt, who was skinny and covered in mites, was dumped in the backyard of a house in Ford Green Road on Friday 27 April.

The shocked homeowner, unsure what to do with the pony, contacted World Horse Welfare. Wanting the pony to be assessed urgently, World Horse Welfare field officer Rachel Andrews asked RSPCA inspector Charlotte Melvin, who … Continue reading…

Badger rehab at RSPCA Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre

Posted on by

Every wildlife assistant at Stapeley Grange must be capable of caring for any wildlife species that arrives at the centre, however its staff also have specialist knowledge of certain species. Jenny Derbyshire plays a leading role in rehabilitating badger cubs and is the ‘go-to person’ for all things badgers. Here she talks about her role, which has its challenges – but is always worthwhile.

At Stapeley Grange, I have what I believe to be the amazing role of rehabilitating badger … Continue reading…

Hot Bank Holiday weekend sparks more than 200 calls about dogs in cars

Posted on by

The RSPCA received 217 calls about dogs locked in hot cars across England over the Bank Holiday weekend – around three calls every hour.

This is despite the charity reminding people about the dangers of leaving dogs in cars, where temperatures can quickly rise.

The most calls were received in Hampshire, where the RSPCA were called about 17 dogs in hot environments. Greater London and West Yorkshire followed, with 12 calls each. The next county where we received the most … Continue reading…

Tarantula the size of a hand rescued after being dumped in a BIN

Posted on by

A tarantula has been rescued by the RSPCA – after being found in a BIN in a Nottingham park.

The white knee tarantula, which was the size of a hand, was cold and wet when RSPCA inspector Teresa Potter rescued the spider on Tuesday last week (24 April), after being found by a shocked dog-walker in Acorn Avenue, Giltbrook.

Inspector Potter said: “It’s rare that we get reports of tarantulas in public so as I was making my way there, … Continue reading…

RSPCA appealing for info after goose is shot with crossbow

Posted on by

The RSPCA is appealing for information after a Canada goose was shot with a crossbow in Smethwick.

The animal charity was contacted by a concerned member of the public who saw the injured goose on a canal in North Bridge Road, on 1 April.

An RSPCA officer caught the goose and took him to the charity’s Birmingham Animal Hospital, where the bird was sedated and the crossbow removed.

He was transferred to the charity’s Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre, in Nantwich, … Continue reading…