The turtle has been named Hagar and now lives at a wildlife park (Picture: SWNS)
A man found an ‘angry’ snapping turtle in the River Trent and then took it home and put it in his bathtub.
The aggressive large reptile is over half a metre long, weighs 4kg and is not native to the UK, with the species more usually found in North America than Staffordshire.
They prey on fish, birds, and amphibians, and can give humans a nasty bite too.
The man who found it was walking with his children when he spotted it by the riverside behind an Asda supermarket in Burton-upon-Trent.
He thought the reptile would be a danger to others so picked it up and took it to his home where he placed it in the bath and then called the RSPCA (which does sound more sensible than it first appeared).
Animal rescue officer Karen Brannan was sent to the scene and collected the turtle, which she named Hagar.
He has now been found a new home at the National Turtle Sanctuary at the Lincolnshire Wildlife Park.
Hagar is believed to have been a pet which either escaped or was abandoned.
Hagar measured 51cm by 37cm and weighed in at 4kg (Picture: RSPCA/SWNS)
Karen said she thought the turtle may have lived in the area feeding on fish for quite some time.
She added: ‘He was a really big and aggressive turtle so I called him Hagar.
‘I had to handle him very carefully as he was very angry and obviously this species has quite a bite as well as a very mobile head and neck.
‘He had a fair bit of algae on his shell so I suspect he had been living in this area for quite some time and would have fed on fish and small mammals.
‘It is a real concern if someone has discarded a pet like rubbish when there are animal welfare charities and organisations which would offer help.
‘An animal like this could have been a real danger to other animals and people as they are capable of such a strong bite.
‘I am keen to find out where Hagar came from.
‘I am just so grateful to the turtle sanctuary for taking on Hagar as an animal like that is not easy to find a suitable home for.
‘They believe he’s approximately 12-years-old but they are capable of living to around 100 years – so I expect he has a long and happy life to now look forward to.’
Andy Ferguson, zoo manager, said: ‘Hagar is settling in well to life in a seven metre pool. He is definitely one of our more angry turtles – it is just his personality.
‘This type of turtle is capable of a formidable bite and they are known as ambush predators so will hide before attacking for food.
‘Unfortunately we have come across cases like this before where they have been found in rivers.
‘They are not ideal pets and have very specific needs.’
It is illegal, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, to release non-native species, such as snapping turtles, into the wild.
RSPCA scientific officer for exotics, Evie Button, added: ‘Snapping turtles have extremely powerful jaws and should never be handled by an inexperienced person.
‘So we would urge anyone who finds one not to approach it themselves but instead to contact the RSPCA or a local reptile expert who can help.’
The skunk survived by eating bird seed that had fallen off a table (Picture: SWNS)
A runaway skunk has been rescued and reunited with his owner after making his way into a Nottinghamshire DIY store.
Staff at B&Q in Worksop were opening up on Monday morning when they saw a flash of black and white dart across the ground outside the shop.
They cornered and confined the skunk, named Tilikum, in a pallet trolley before calling the RSPCA for help.
The animal, which had been missing for a week, survived by eating bird seed that had fallen off a table.
The charity’s rescuer inspector Dan Bradshaw said: ‘They’d made him feel quite at home with a tray of water and some hay to hide in, and even left a note on his makeshift cage asking other staff arriving for work to be quiet so as not to wake him from his snooze. It was very sweet.’
He added: ‘Thankfully he didn’t seem to find his capture too alarming and hadn’t released his spray in defence, otherwise it would have been a much smellier rescue mission!’
After making enquiries in the local area, Dan was able to track down the skunk’s owner, and he advised getting the pet microchipped.
Rescuer inspector Dan Bradshaw tracked down the pet’s owner (Picture: RSPCA)
While native to North and Central America, skunks are wild animals which are sometimes kept and traded as pets in Britain.
The RSPCA said it has dealt with a number of call-outs to stray pet skunks which have escaped or been deliberately released to the wild in recent years. It is an offence to release a non-native species.
Skunks needs’ can’t be met in a normal British household, the RSPC said (Picture: RSPCA)
B&Q staff put Tilikum in a homely cage to rest in (Picture: RSPCA)
The skunk was reunited with his relieved owner (Picture: RSPCA)
RSPCA scientific officer Evie Button said: ‘We believe that people may buy exotic animals, such as skunks, with little idea of how difficult they can be to keep and sadly we can get called in when the novelty wears off and the commitment hits home.
‘Pet skunks are essentially wild animals being kept in captivity but their welfare needs are no different to the needs of skunks living in the wild.
‘As we don’t believe their needs can be met in a typical household environment, we feel that skunks shouldn’t be kept as pets.’
The police and animal welfare officers had to be called in to protect the seal from beachgoers on Great Yarmouth beach after people were seen throwing stones at it (Picture: RSPCA Frontline)
An elderly seal was harassed and pelted with stones as it lay dying on a Norfolk beach.
Police and animal welfare officers had to be called in to protect the seal from beachgoers on Great Yarmouth beach on Tuesday.
But they were unable to save it and the seal is understood to have died at sea later the same day.
The seven-foot mammal was first spotted on the beach at around midday.
People were seen hurling stones at the seal, while parents were seen taking pictures of their children within a foot of the mammal as it lay on the beach.
Dan Goldsmith, chairman of Marine and Wildlife Rescue, said: ‘It’s absolutely exacerbating.
‘People were picking up stones and throwing them at the seal. Whether that was to get it to move I don’t know.
‘Police were constantly needing to tell people to move back – they were getting within a foot of the seal.
‘People don’t appreciate that it should be left to rest.
‘They just want to get photos and put their children there to get pictures with it.’
The seven-foot mammal was first spotted on the beach at around midday (Picture: RSPCA Frontline)
Mr Goldsmith said at around 4.30pm the seal took itself back to the water’s edge and was taken out to sea by the tide, where ‘it may well have died’.
Seals congregate in large numbers on the Norfolk coast are often spotted at beaches at Great Yarmouth, Horsey, and further along the coast.
They often attract large numbers of visitors but every year there are calls for people to respect the mammals, remember they are wild animals and to keep their distance.
An RSPCA spokesperson said that the charity was ‘shocked’ to hear reports of people throwing stones at the seal.
Police had to be called to try and defend the mammal as it lay dying on the beach (Picture: RSPCA Frontline)
They added: ‘It’s really important that members of the public stay away from the seal as getting close is likely to cause this very poorly animal a lot of distress.
‘We know that seals in the wild are an incredible sight to see, but people must remember that these are wild animals.
‘We share our beaches with seals and have to learn to respect nature and enjoy from a distance, and never interfere or get too close to them.’
After it was discovered the poor puppy was rushed to the nearest vet (Picture: RSPCA)
A helpless puppy that was discovered abandoned in a box and hidden under some bushes could not be saved by vets.
The black and tan coloured puppy – thought to be just six weeks old – was sniffed out by another dog in a green space in Feltham, West London on Saturday.
The dog’s owner went over to see what their pet had found and was shocked to discover a tiny puppy, wrapped in a blanket in a clear plastic box.
The puppy was rushed to the nearest vet where the RSPCA was called to investigate.
When vets examined the puppy they found he was very underweight, and too weak to walk or eat.
RSPCA inspector Nicole Broster said: ‘This is such a tragic incident and it broke my heart that such a tiny puppy was left to suffer so much, and knowing he had been abandoned all alone when he was in such desperate need of help.
‘The walker described him as “freezing cold” when he found him, and when he was examined by vets it was clear he was skinny, suffering from conjunctivitis so severe that he wasn’t able to open his eyes.
‘He was also so weak and subdued he was unable to eat or take more than a few steps.’
Despite the efforts of vets, the puppy had to be put down (Picture: RSPCA Finsbury Park)
The puppy was transferred to RSPCA Finsbury Park Hospital earlier this week where vets worked tirelessly to try to save him, but sadly he didn’t respond to treatment.
His condition did not improve and despite all efforts to save him, vets made the difficult decision to put him to sleep to end his suffering.
Now, the RSPCA is keen to discover who abandoned the puppy and is appealing for anyone with any information to come forward.
Nicole said: ‘Abandoning any animal is cruel and completely unnecessary, we don’t know how long the puppy had been left out inside the box in the cold in bushes, and vulnerable to all sorts of danger.
‘It’s possible someone dumped him because he’s so poorly, and he could be a by-product of the cruel puppy trade.
‘It’s beyond belief that someone left him in those bushes and walked away.’
Thanking the walker who handed the puppy to vets, Nicole added: ‘Because of their actions, he was treated with love and dignity in his last few days and was given every chance of pulling through.
‘It’s always incredibly upsetting for us when an animal doesn’t make it.’
Anyone with any information about the puppy is asked to contact Nicole by leaving a message for her on the special inspector’s appeal line 0300 123 8018.
The animal was spooked by loud bangs and got trapped in a fence (Picture: RSPCA/Getty)
The RSPCA has been called out more than 10,000 times to fireworks-related reports this year.
The charity has received a further 64 calls relating to animal cruelty involving fireworks in November alone.
Some animal welfare campaigners have long called for access of fireworks to be restricted because of the negative impact on wildlife
A spooked deer that accidentally ripped its own antler out while fleeing loud bangs was among the staggering number of incidents.
Animal handlers were called to a report of a terrified deer running in circles in a field next door to a property in Wiltshire where fireworks were being let off.
The call came in from an owner of some horses also in the field as they had gone to check on them fearing they would be frightened.
Deputy manager Anj Saunders said: ‘The young roe deer was found running in panicked circles because the fireworks were scaring him.
‘He had his head stuck in a fence and was blind with shock – he had also ripped both antlers out.
They’re popular with the public – but not with many pet owners (Picture: Getty)
‘One of our animal carers, along with a vet, brought him into the centre and gave him pain relief, anti inflammatories and antibiotics for the wounds to his head and eyes.
‘He is otherwise quite plump and in good condition, however the next few days will be crucial as deer often succumb to a disease called captive myopathy which is caused by extreme stress and rescues lose many deer to it.
‘He will be kept quiet in our stable and he is currently resting with a lot of soft bedding to keep the pen as safe as possible for him while he can’t see.
‘This situation is obviously going to compromise him in the wild as he has lost his antlers, hopefully they will grow back but it won’t be this year.
‘We are hoping his eyesight will return to normal, as this can be a side effect of shock for deer.’
RSPCA campaigns manager Carrie Stones said: ‘Whilst it is encouraging to see that supermarkets are selling low noise fireworks and some local councils are now setting their own guidelines, this shows us that we still have a long way to go.’
The animal charity has been collecting the views of pet owners via online reporting tool.
It said 96% of respondents said their animals felt fear after neighbours let off private fireworks with no prior warning.
87% of these responses related to dogs, 22% to cats, 7% to smaller pets and 6% to horses.
The 14-week-old tabby’s head was fully trapped in the poison-filled box (Picture: RSPCA/SWNS)
This tiny kitten had a lucky escape after getting its entire head stuck inside a rat bait box – just centimetres from deadly rodent poison.
The close call happened two weeks ago, with RSPCA workers receiving a call from a concerned member of the public after they spotted the cat.
Staff from the centre in Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, rushed to the scene to find the tabby trapped in the rat-catching device.
He miraculously survived the ordeal thanks to quick-thinking workers, who cut the box to free the curious feline.
Without time to call in reinforcements, a saw was used to split the plastic trap in a touch and go moment.
Luckily, the 14-week-old cat had not been able to reach the rat poison inside due to way he was stuck, and he made a full recovery being at a nearby vet centre.
A concerned member of the public called the RSPCA for help (Picture: RSPCA/SWNS)
Inspector Jason Finch’s quick thinking saved the day, as he cut the box to free Mishmish (Picture: RSPCA/SWNS)
RSPCA Inspector Jason Finch, who saved the kitten, said: ‘It was a tricky process trying to get him out of the box without causing him any more distress, but thankfully I managed to get him free.
‘I checked him over and despite his ordeal he was okay – so I then took him to the RSPCA Danaher Animal Centre for some much needed TLC and a warm bed.’
The cat – who did not show markers of having an owner – was named Mishmish, and Jason and the team are now looking for a home for him.
The bait box where he was stuck (Picture: RSPCA/SWNS)
Could you give Mishmish a forever home? (Picture: RSPCA/SWNS)
‘He’s the sweetest looking cat and has been named Mishmish,’ said Jason. ‘I’m so glad this was a happy ending for him.
Mishmish can live with other cats, but isn’t best suited to living with dogs or very young children. His RSPCA listing says he ‘is very affectionate and loves to snuggle up in the evenings on your lap’.
The animal welfare charity is also calling for people to use ‘humane deterrents for dealing with unwanted rats and mice’ as a result of the incident. They also urge that people take extra care ‘where poison is used to avoid trapping non-target animals’.
It was a near miss for Mishmish, but other animals may not be as lucky.
Jason added: ‘I’m just so glad he was found by the caller, who knows what would have happened to him if not.’
The squirrels were tied together and had their tails cut off (Picture: Getty/Google)
Two squirrels have died after being found tied together with their tails cut off in a ‘callous and horrible’ act which has shocked wildlife officers.
The grey squirrels were found tied together by their waists with electrical flex cables and hanging from a bicycle wheel halfway up a telegraph pole in Seven Oaks.
It is not known whether the animals were thrown up the pole or if they had climbed up themselves and later became tangled, but when found they were 15ft off the ground.
Warning: This article contains distressing images
Both were missing the tips of their tails, which were later found discarded nearby.
The squirrels were discovered by a member of the public on Sunday, November 7. When they were found, one was already dead while the other died later.
The incident has shocked RSCPA officers, who have since launched an investigation into what happened to the animals.
Emma Byrne an RSPCA and animal rescue officer (ARO) said: ‘This is an extremely distressing and bizarre incident in which two squirrels were found tied together with their tails snipped off and discovered up a telegraph pole.
The squirrels were hanging from a bicycle wheel halfway up a telegraph poll (Picture: RSPCA)
Both were missing the tips of their tails, which were later found discarded nearby (Picture: RSPCA)
‘One of the squirrels also had a bloodied nose.
‘This was clearly a callous and horrible act of cruelty against two defenceless animals.
‘This whole ordeal would have caused them a great deal of suffering and fear.
‘We’re keen to find out exactly what happened to these squirrels and would urge anyone who saw anything which might help our investigation.’
The squirrels were found around Watercress Drive in Sevenoaks, on the evening of November 7. Anyone with any information is asked to call 0300 123 8018.
RSPCA staff arrived at work to find Scooby, Orville, Perrie and Jade missing from their pen (Pictures: RSPCA)
A family of four ferrets were stolen from an animal rescue centre right before they were about to go to their new ‘forever homes’.
Staff arrived at the RSPCA centre in West Malling, Kent, on Wednesday morning to find Scooby and Orville, both two-year-old male polecats, missing from their enclosures.
Perrie and Jade, both one-year-old female polecats, were also gone.
Workers spotted footprints on nearby grass and called the police and microchip company.
Deputy animal centre manager Angelina Allingham said: ‘We are absolutely devastated that four of our ferrets have been stolen from the animal centre and we’re really keen to get them back safe and sound.
‘We are so shocked that this has happened but thankfully incidents like this are incredibly rare.’
The two boys, two-year-old Scooby and Orville, were rescued by an inspector more than a year ago (Picture: RSPCA)
The two girls, one-year-old Perrie and Jade, were born at the rescue centre (Picture:RSPCA)
RSPCA staff said they are ‘absolutely devastated’ the ferrets have been stolen (Picture: RSPCA)
She continued: ‘We are really concerned for the welfare of these lovely ferrets and hope to see them returned as soon as possible.
‘They are all microchipped and are now registered as stolen, so we would be so grateful if people can keep their eyes and ears open for any word on their whereabouts.’
Scooby and Orville were rescued by the RSPCA more than a year ago, before their sister gave birth to Perrie and Jade.
All four of them had been reserved and ‘given their second chance at happiness’ as they were set to go live with their new owners soon.
The ferrets are described as friendly, inquisitive, mischievous and will test the boundaries with their handlers.
Caitlyn Jenner, who filmed I’m a Celebrity in Australia in 2019, pictured during an animal-focused Bushtucker trial (Picture: James Gourley/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
I’m a Celebrity is going strong after 21 series, despite a few setbacks during the latest run.
Safety comes first, after all. And not just for cast and crew, but the animals and insects involved in filming, too.
Each November, we see the show’s stars get covered in creepy crawlies and even come face to face with live rats, snakes, toads and crabs during the famous Bushtucker trials.
But what actually happens to the animals when they’re on the show, and where do they go afterwards?
What happens to the animals used in Bushtucker trials?
The show broadcaster has confirmed the show complies with UK animal welfare laws on its production and that ITV ‘implements rigorous production practices to ensure that animals are handled safely before, during and after the filming period.’
ITV has published its protocol which shares how the crew handle live animals, as well as information on where the creatures end up once the trial is done and the cameras stop rolling.
The 2021 cast of I’m a Celebrity as they wait to face a Bushtucker trial (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Before the Bushtucker trial
ITV Studios uses a ‘specialist licensed animal company’ throughout the programme’s run.
‘The company has extensive and detailed experience of all animals that are featured and working with animals in film and television,’ its procedural document reads.
The broadcaster also asserts that the animals used are commercially bred in the UK and would ‘normally be purchased by zoos and pet stores to feed birds and exotic animals’
As the show currently films in Wales, I’m A Celebrity must follow UK laws about animal protection – including the Animal Welfare Act and the Performing Animals Act.
The RSPCA notes, though, that ‘vertebrate’ animals (such as snakes) are protected by Animal Welfare law – but that ‘invertebrate’ creatures (like spiders or crabs, for example) are not.
‘Invertebrate animals – such as insects, spiders and crabs – don’t have the same legal protection; but at a time when discussions around the capacity for animals to experience feelings like pain are more prominent than ever, we’re concerned that the show is not setting the right example,’ the charity states.
Peta also slams the format of using live animals, saying that the tide of public opinion is turning, and people realise now that ‘animals, no matter their shape or size, shouldn’t be abused for entertainment’ – whether they are cats, dogs, or mealworms.
Snakes are often featured in the series (Picture: Getty)
During the Bushtucker trial
Live animals are taken to the site of Bushtucker trials in special enclosures.
ITV’s procedures state they are ‘temperature controlled’ to meet the animal’s needs, and that the enclosure is approved by a local authority.
During the trial itself, animals are monitored by a specialist animal team, who remain on set at all times. The animals are kept in the enclosures until they are released into ‘controlled’ zones.
Insects, meanwhile, are released into trials (or usually all over the show’s stars) using ‘grate systems’.
RSPCA is sceptical, however, claiming: ‘We’ve seen tens of thousands of insects and other invertebrates poured on top of campers, with many crushed under bodies and feet, or violently shaken off.’
After the Bushtucker trial
Lots of insects are used in the show (Picture: Getty)
Following a bug-covered trial, insects are collected using the grate system. They are then donated to zoos, wildlife trusts and sanctuaries.
This is because the insects sourced for the show are commercially-bred, here in the UK, typically for the purposes of feeding other, larger creatures in said trusts and zoos.
As for live animals, it’s not entirely clear where they go after the trial, or who owns them.
ITV adds of its procedures: ‘We regularly review the measures we have in place and develop them in line with any requirements following engagement with the local authority and other regulatory authorities to ensure they are fit for purpose.’
‘Of course, puppy should go with natural uncutted ears, because you know, breed is not legal in UK.’
‘Puppy will have another breed – not Dogo Argentino – in veterinarian papers…’
These are the messages Metro.co.uk recently received from a woman in Russia offering to sell and send us a banned breed of dog. We’d contacted her via an email address found on a closed group on Facebook.
While the social media site’s rules are very clear that such sales are completely prohibited, the reality is sellers of banned or dangerous dogs can often be found lurking within the comments sections of images of adorable puppy litters in closed groups.
Via messenger, one Facebook dealer offered Metro.co.uk a Pit Bull from a litter due in the summer for £800. Another offered a Pit Bull Staffie cross for £500.
A third sent a stream of cute pictures and videos of Pit Bull puppies that were nine weeks old and ‘ready to go’ for £1,000 each.
It was through a group devoted to another banned breed, Dogo Argentinos, that we found a link to the email address of our Russian breeder.
Animal sales have gone through the roof since the pandemic began. By March this year, an estimated 3.2 million households had acquired a new pet, according to the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association.
But with many purchases being made online, pet-owners are discovering such transactions are fraught with issues – and not just to do with banned dogs.
It can promote poor animal welfare, as unscrupulous sellers fail to follow basic standards, while buyers are ending up with sick and badly-behaved animals as a result, with many needing to be re-homed or put down.
One dealer offered Metro.co.uk a Pit Bull from a litter due in the summer for £800. Another offered a Pit Bull Staffie cross for £500 (Picture: supplied)
One user on a closed group offered to sell metro.co.uk an American Bully (part of the Pit Bull family), while another offered a French Bulldog (a dog that can suffer serious life long health issues due to it’s breeding). Both had a price tag of £2,500. Neither seller was licensed.
However, it’s not just about animal welfare. In worst case scenarios, pets obtained online can go on to maim or kill, as in the tragic case of 10-year-old Jack Lis, who was mauled to death in Caerphilly by a seven-stone American Bulldog.
While it is not a banned breed, the animal had been re-homed through an advert on Facebook that said the dog was ‘grate [sic] with people’, but did ‘not like other dogs at all’.
The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 prohibits the ownership of four types of dogs that could seriously harm or kill a human; Dogo Argentino, the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, and the Fila Brasileiro.
According to the Blue Cross: ‘The word “type” is important because it means that it isn’t just pure breeds that are illegal to own, sell, breed, give away or abandon, but crossbreeds of these or any dog which fits the physical description of these breeds as well.’
Owning any of these banned types could mean you are prosecuted under Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 – which has a maximum penalty of 6 months prison.
Buying a puppy online is a ‘minefield’ due to inadequate and out-of-date laws that don’t sufficiently protect animal welfare or consumers, according to barrister Saleema Mahmood, of No5 Barristers’ Chambers.
She says: ‘Anyone breeding three or more litters in a 12-month period and selling one or more of the puppies, must be licensed by the local council in England. Licences are not necessary for so called “hobby breeders”, but licensed breeders must meet a series of minimum welfare standards.’
In England and Wales, it’s illegal to sell a puppy under the age of eight weeks and in April 2020 the government introduced legislation to ban sales of puppies by anyone other than the puppy’s breeder. It’s also against the law to sell dogs in the street, in pet shops, at markets or in public places.
However, there is no specific legislation governing the sale of pets online.
The Ackers family paid a huge emotional price when they got Reggie, anadorablefox-red Labrador puppy, through an online seller last Christmas.
Just 12 weeks old, the pup was bought by Richard for his son Ethan, knowing that in an instant he would become a treasured member of their family.
The Ackers family paid a huge emotional price when they got Reggie, anadorablefox-red Labrador puppy (Picture: Supplied)
However, just three days after they welcomed Reggie into their home, Richard found himself standing in a vet’s examination room being told that the kindest thing they could do for their puppy was to end his life.
Having bought him via an advert on the Pets4Homes website, the family had assumed the seller was legit. But Reggie had actually been transported illegally from Irelant to the UK and was suffering from parvovirus – a dangerous and deadly illness caused by poor care from birth.
‘I told the vet I wanted Reggie to have a blood transfusion, but he pleaded with me,’ remembers owner Richard Ackers. ‘He told me I would only put him through more pain for a 3-10 per cent chance of him living. We decided to put him to sleep. It was awful.’
Richard, a 32-year-old pilot, recalls how the online advert stated that the Labrador had been bred for the owner’s grandfather, who couldn’t keep the whole litter. He travelled from his home in Wigan to an address in St Helens to meet the seller, where he intended to meet the dog’s mum and ask all the responsible questions.
‘The house was really bare – there wasn’t much furniture,’ he remembers. ‘ I was told that he’d moved from Stoke and that’s why he didn’t have the dog’s mum with him. Everything I asked, he had an answer for. I got totally wrapped up in the seller’s lies’, Richard admits.
‘One of the two dogs looked lethargic. I was told he was just missing his mum. I thought it all made sense and we took Reggie home.’
Over the weekend, Reggie’s condition deteriorated and he underwent costly anti-viral treatment (Picture: Supplied)
Ethan, who was seven at the time, was overjoyed with the puppy he’d longed for. Reggie would have an energetic ten minutes, playing and jumping up, and then he would slump, unable to move.
After just a few hours, the puppy fell seriously ill with diarrhoea and bloody vomit, so the family took him straight to the vet where he tested positive for deadly parvovirus.
Over the weekend, Reggie’s condition deteriorated and he underwent costly anti-viral treatment.
When this didn’t work, the Ackers’ decided to do the only humane thing.
‘He was in a quarantine room, in a cage. I have never seen anything like it,’ says Richard. ‘Blood was coming from his mouth, he was panting, he couldn’t get air. My lad was with me. It was heartbreaking. Absolutely awful.’
Richard spent £3,000 on vet bills, which weren’t covered on insurance. But the cost was nothing compared to the family’s anguish, he says.
Reggie was only with the family for three days before he had to be put down (Picture: Supplied)
‘You’ve given a kid something he’d always wanted, and the next day, it’s taken away. It’s just not fair. The end of Reggie’s very short life was painful and horrific.’
Richard contacted the seller to tell him he needed to warn the litter’s other buyers about the deadly and highly contagious virus, but he was met with denial and aggression. When he went back to St Helens, the seller was gone and the house was empty.
After further investigation, Richard believes that Reggie was born in a puppy farm – and he now gets reports every week of exactly the same thing happening all over the country. He adds: ‘People are profiting from misery. It’s harrowing.’
'I spent £1000 on a sick puppy - then the seller blocked my calls'
‘Jenny’, whose name has been changed, brought a puppy from someone claiming to be a hobby dealer during lockdown after she saw an advert on Gumtree.
She drove an hour from her home in the Midlands to a pub car park, because the seller told her the address was hard to find.
When he turned up in a huge, flashy car, alarm bells started ringing. He told her to follow her to his home, which was hidden behind tall gates.
She met the puppy, fell in love, transferred £1,000 into the seller’s bank account and as soon as the amount cleared, she took him home.
She says: ‘The dog smelt really bad. When I gave him a bath, I realised he was riddled with fleas. He also had blood in his poo, which was liquid and frequent.’
The dog hadn’t been given the initial veterinary care she’d been assured of, and when she contacted the seller, he refused her calls. Jenny ended up with large vet bills and a huge amount of regret.
Cookie the kitten was sold on Gumtree at just four weeks old by an unscrupulous breeder.
He was handed over in the dark to his unsuspecting owner who didn’t realise the terrible condition he was in until she got him home.
As well as being emaciated, Cookie’s eyes were puffy and scabbed over and his fur was matted with pus. He was at death’s door by the time the seller could get him to a vet. Although he was nursed back to health, sadly his sight couldn’t be saved.
Cookie the kitten was sold on Gumtree at just four weeks old by an unscrupulous breeder (Picture: Supplied)
According to the charity Cats Protection, there has been rise in buying online with 340,000 cats and kittens on the internet out of a total 500,000 purchased this year.
Catherine Cottrell, of Cats Protection, says: ‘Some devious sellers are separating kittens from their mothers before the recommended age of eight weeks, which denies these kittens the vital nutrients and social development that they require to develop into healthy, adult cats.’
The problems don’t end here. Chris Newman, of the National Centre for Reptile Welfare, says those that buy lizards on the internet, as opposed to from reputable breeders, are the most likely to experience problems.
‘A couple of years ago, a lady who kept bearded dragons wanted something a little larger and brought a green iguana off Gumtree,’ he explains. ‘She met a man in a car park for the lizard to be handed over.
‘When she got it home it was very aggressive. She had it for two days and they realised that it was the biggest mistake she had ever made.’ Happily Chris was able to re-home the animal.
RSPCA Senior Scientific Manager Dr Ros Clubb warns parents to resist their children’s pleas for pet axolotls, which appear in the online game Minecraft (Picture: Getty Images)
Demand for exotic animals soars following advertising campaigns and popular movies, according to the RSPCA. Google metrics showed a spike in worldwide searches relating to buying an axolotl from June 2021 onwards, after the animals were introduced into the Minecraft game.
RSPCA Senior Scientific Manager Dr Ros Clubb warns parents to resist their children’s pleas for pet axolotls – or any other exotic pets – as Christmas approaches: ‘The RSPCA is particularly concerned when new pet trends such as axolotls emerge, as exotic pets often end up in our care later down the line when people realise they’re not easy to look after, or once the novelty wears off.’
The Zoological Society of London’s Counter Trafficking Advisor Grant Miller warns dabbling in online shopping for reptiles can also be very dangerous.
How to get a new dog responsibly
Paula Boyden, Chair of the Pet Advertising Advisory Group, says buyers should always consider rehoming first. But if buying a pet, she lists the following advice:
• Always ask to see the mother and pup together and visit your new puppy in their home, preferably more than once.
• Get all the puppy’s paperwork before going home. Ask for proof of any vet checks, vaccinations (where applicable), microchipping or pedigree papers.
• Never meet anywhere that isn’t the puppy’s home and never pay a deposit upfront without seeing the puppy in person.
• Be very wary of buying a puppy from anyone who can supply various breeds on demand, and alarm bells should ring if a puppy looks too young, small or underweight – puppies should be at least eight weeks old when they leave their mum.
The Pet Advertising Advisory Group can help you work out whether a dealer is licensed and reputable: https://paag.org.uk
‘We’ve seen one case where a puff adder and a Gaboon viper were shipped through the post from Tanzania. These are dangerous, venomous snakes that were posted to an address in Essex. A young teen, who had no experience of keeping snakes, had got hold of his father’s credit card and ordered them online.
‘Fortunately it was intercepted by Border Force. Otherwise he would have died. The snakes had been in the postal system, they would have been angry the moment the package was opened. They needed an experienced handler to move these things. What could have happened would have been catastrophic.’
A Gaboon viper was shipped from Tanzania to an address in Essex (Picture: Getty Images)
Despite this, Grant argues that there is a place for wild and exotic animals in the UK, as long as they are well-looked after and reputably-sourced: ‘If children are not keeping animals, learning about them and respecting them, where do our conservationists of the future come from?’
Meanwhile, Richard Ackers continues his fights to raise awareness of the dangers ouf buying pets online after Reggie’s tragic death.
He is now working with Pets4Homes, Gumtree and other websites to discuss changes to their platforms, under a charity he set up called Justice for Reggie, which is putting pressure on the Government to enforce tighter policies and laws to end this ‘tragic and abusive’ industry.
This month he is walking 200 miles from his home in Wigan to Number 10 Downing Street to present a petition to the Government calling for regulation of all websites where animals are sold.
‘We want to advance the cause of animal rights and educate and inform the British public about the urgent need to address the horrendous aspects of the illegal puppy trade so that thousands of dogs like Reggie can be spared a short, hellish life, having been used simply for nothing more than quick financial gain,’ he explains.
‘I don’t want any other families to go through the same heartbreak.’
What the websites say:
As both Pets4Homes and Gumtree allow selling on their site, they provide expert advice, work with animal welfare bodies and have reporting tools on their websites.
A spokesman for Pets4Homes adds: ‘The circumstances of Reggie’s story were highly unusual, but even if the event was a rarity, in the year that has passed since then we have further enhanced our safeguarding processes, and made it harder than ever for unscrupulous individuals to attempt to exploit the goodwill of Pets4Homes users.’
‘At present, only 0.4% of pet re-homings require a subsequent discussion with our Trust & Safety team, and only a proportion of these are concerns which warrant further action. However, one rogue seller attempting to exploit our platform – and the good intentions of our users – is one too many.’
A spokesperson for Gumtree said: ‘We take the welfare of animals extremely seriously. We work closely with leading animal welfare organisations including Dogs Trust, Battersea Dogs & Cats, RSPCA and DEFRA to comply with all industry-endorsed standards to improve animal welfare in an ecommerce environment.
‘If you have any doubts or suspicions about a seller, or concerns about an animal’s welfare, you should report it to us immediately by using the “Report” button listed next to all ads. Our dedicated safety team will then investigate and take necessary actions such as removing the ad, blocking the offender from the site and, where necessary, assisting law enforcement investigations.’
A spokersperson for Meta (Facebook) said: We have removed the violating content brought to our attention. We do not allow the sale of animals on Facebook, and we will remove posts, pages or groups that violate our guidelines. We continue to invest in technologies and new methods to remove this kind of content, and we encourage people to report illegal activity to the police.’
Ruth Armstrong said she is ‘elated, overwhelmed and shocked’ to have Elsa back with her (Picture: BPM Media)
Many know the pain of losing a pet without knowing what happened to them – being left with the torturous thought of whether they ever found somewhere safe.
Ruth Armstrong, 50, endured this for 14 years after her black and white cat Elsa disappeared in 2007.
Now 16 years old, Elsa has miraculously been found and returned to her home in Hinckley, Leicestershire.
Elsa, aged two at the time, went missing after she had started to spend more and more time outside the house.
‘One day she came in, weed on the sofa and disappeared forever,’ Ruth remembered.
The diet consultant looked for Elsa ‘for a long, long time’ but eventually realised ‘she wasn’t coming back’.
Ruth hoped her pet had found a warm, loving home of her choosing – as cats are infamous for doing – but Ruth also tried to accept that Elsa may have died.
Elsa had in fact found a new home. But not the kind Ruth was thinking of.
Elsa was found after factory workers called the RSPCA about the tumour on her head (Picture: BPM Media)
For some reason, Elsa decided to set up camp on the grounds of a local factory where staff members fed her.
But Elsa’s feeders noticed she had tumour on the side of her head on November 25 and called the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).
Animal welfare inspector Allison North took Elsa to the vet, who scanned the cat’s microchip and saw she had been registered as ‘deceased’.
The animal lovers were able to call Ruth and tell her Elsa was indeed alive, albeit with a possibly cancerous lump.
Ruth said: ‘I’m elated, overwhelmed and shocked. I still cant believe it. She has a big tumour on side which the vets think are cancerous.
Ruth is glad to be able to look after Elsa in her ‘twilight years’ (Picture: BPM Media)
‘But I’m just thankful she was taken off the street just before the cold snap. With her age I’m not sure she would have survived – the timing was just amazing.’
Allison said the ‘happy ending shows just how important microchipping your pet is’.
‘While collars and tags can easily be removed – microchipping identifies pets permanently and effectively,’ she added.
She went on to remind owners that microchips are only effective if people keep the database updated with the right address and contact details.
Ruth has now started a fundraiser for the medical care Elsa will need, as the cat’s insurance was cancelled when Ruth thought she had died.
She wrote: ‘After spending so many years out in the cold, fending for herself, Elsa deserves the best chance to enjoy her twilight years at home with her loving family.
‘I can’t bear the thought of the decision that would have to be made because we can’t afford the treatment she requires.’
A 15-year-old cat called Farrah is desperately hoping that ‘Santa Paws’ will grant her Christmas wish and find her a new home for Christmas.
The golden oldie, known as an ‘absolute sweetheart’, came into the care of the RSPCA in Portsmouth in July after her previous owner passed away.
‘All Farrah wants for Christmas is a warm and cosy home to call her own,’ said Kate Luxford, cattery supervisor at RSPCA Stubbington Ark.
‘She is looking for a special someone to share her twilight years with so when she was asked to put together her Christmas list for “Santa Paws”, all Farrah asked for was a forever home.’
When she first came into the shelter, Farrah wasn’t a happy camper due to suffering from hyperthyroidism, which can raise a cat’s metabolism and cause lethargy, hyperactivity, and noisy, cheeky behaviour.
But since having surgery to fix the issue, her behaviour has improved, and she’s become much happier.
The letter reads: ‘All I want for Christmas is… A warm cosy home to live out my twilight years’ (Picture: RSPCA)
‘We have been working very closely with Farrah,’ explained Kate, ‘and she has started to thrive with the help of some treats. She’s a real foodie.
‘She can be an absolute sweetheart who enjoys some gentle fuss but will let you know when she’s had enough.’
Kate says her new owners will need to be patient, loving and happy to have Farrah as their only pet.
‘They will also have some experience with cat behaviour and understand that she doesn’t want to be over-handled,’ she added.
‘Her favourite thing to do is to rub around your legs when you’re sitting in a chair. She could do this all day long.’
As she’s in her twilight years, Farrah is very content to just sit and relax all day, and would love an adult-only household with someone who’s around most of the time to keep her company.
If you think Farrah could be the cat for you, contact the RSPCA Solent branch (Stubbington Ark) on 01329 667541.
A mum-of-four filmed trying to flush her pet monkey down the toilet and offering it cocaine has walked free from court.
Vicki Holland, 38, recorded herself abusing the tiny marmoset, which was fed kebabs, burgers, and sausages.
One showed the monkey in a ‘very distressed state’ cowering in a toilet bowl as Holland gently pressed the flusher, causing spurts of water to drop down on the petrified primate.
Holland, from Newport, pleaded guilty to three Animal Welfare Act offences on November 18 and was sentenced at Newport Magistrates’ Court on 10 December.
She was banned from keeping any animals for life, but her 12-week prison sentence was suspended for 12 months.
Holland was similarly spared jail over the drugs offences, having been given a 20-month suspended sentence back in November last year.
The RSPCA only became aware of her cruel mistreatment when police raiding her home looking for drugs seized her phone and found the appalling videos.
One clip showed her laughing as the marmoset clawed at the sides of the toilet bowl while sitting in the water at the bottom.
The terrified monkey can be seen cowering in the toilet bowl (Picture: Wales News Service)
Holland can also be seen holding out cocaine (Picture: Wales News Service)
She can be seen throwing toilet paper at it and calling the animal an ‘idiot’ before pressing down on the flusher as the terrified money desperately tries to stay above water.
In another clip, she is seen holding out some cocaine, saying: ‘Want some coke? Lick my fingers.’
Prosecutor Aled Watkins said Holland had ‘shown total disregard to the basic care and needs’ of her pet.
He told the magistrates: ‘This is deliberate infliction, this isn’t neglect.’
Scott Bowen, defending, said Holland was ‘deeply embarrassed and deeply ashamed of her behaviour’.
He told the court the monkey had experienced ‘distress’ but there was ‘no long-term damage’ to the animal, which was handed over to the RSPCA during the investigation.
The marmoset was later transferred to specialist primate experts at ‘Monkey World’ in Dorset for ongoing and appropriate care.
Holland must also pay £420 in costs and a £128 victim surcharge.
Holland walked free from court after being given a suspended sentence (Picture: Wales News Service)
Speaking after sentencing, RSPCA inspector and exotics officer Sophie Daniels said: ‘I was immediately and gravely concerned about the welfare of this marmoset when I saw these disturbing videos.
‘Videos from the defendant’s phone showed Holland offering the marmoset cocaine, while another showed the clearly terrified marmoset down a toilet bowl.
‘Holland was shouting, swearing, laughing and at one point in the clip, the toilet is flushed, showing the petrified animal struggling to cling onto the side of the bowl.
‘An independent vet soon confirmed that the marmoset was suffering unnecessarily as a result of the way she had been treated.
‘We’d like to thank Gwent Police for their assistance in this case, along with Monkey World who have provided a forever home for the marmoset. Thankfully, this monkey is now getting the care they deserve after such shocking mistreatment.’
The RSPCA say marmosets are by far the most common primates being kept as pets.
However, the RSPCA is ‘totally opposed’ to the keeping of any primate as a pet, because it is so hard to meet their complex needs in a domestic environment.
After the case RSPCA senior scientific manager Dr Ros Clubb, added: ‘Sadly our inspectors see monkeys cooped up in bird cages, fed fast food and sugary drinks, deprived of friends of their own kind and suffering from disease as a result of poor care.
‘We fear many are suffering behind closed doors because people do not know how to look after these animals properly.’
Poppet was found limping around the Basildon area (Picture: RSPCA)
Three-year-old cat Poppet may be missing a leg, but he’s got more than enough love to give to make up for it.
The three-legged cat came into the care of the RSPCA in July this year, having been spotted limping in the Basildon area.
Vets believed he may have a broken leg, so Poppet was transferred to RSPCA Finsbury Park Animal Hospital in London, where an examination revealed he was suffering from an old fracture that hadn’t healed properly.
The poor cat also had deep scabs all over his hip and was suffering from cat flu.
Unfortunately, the best option was to amputate Poppet’s broken leg.
Katherine Ivermee, animal welfare officer at the branch, said: ‘Poor Poppet was extremely scared and timid at the hospital and was clearly in pain.
His leg was broken and had to be amputated (Picture: RSPCA)
‘The vets decided that the best option would be to amputate his leg, which would mean less complications and less time recovering.
‘Once he was moved to a boarding pod at the branch for some much-needed rest and TLC, he began to relax and became a much more cuddly cat!’
After a few months of recovery and neutering, Poppet was ready to find a new home in October – but has yet to receive any applications.
He has recovered well – but hasn’t yet received any rehoming interest (Picture: RSPCA)
The RSPCA is now appealing for the right owner to give Poppet a loving home in time for Christmas.
He’s a ‘very affectionate’ kitty who is coping well on three legs, and is a fan of cosy beds, food, and fuss.
Prospective owners will need to have a safe garden away from busy roads, and because he could still be a carrier of cat flu, he’ll need to be the only feline in the house.
Could you give him the home with all the cuddles and cosy beds he craves? (Picture: RSPCA)
He could live with families who have children secondary school aged or older, but would prefer not to live with a dog.
‘Poor Poppet has been overlooked so far and we don’t know why,’ said Katherine. ‘He’s a lovely, happy and sweet boy who just needs someone to give him a loving home in time for Christmas!’
A cautionary tale of where greed can take you (Picture: RSPCA/PA)
Another day, another squirrel which really should know better, trapped by its own overindulgence.
This time, the love of nuts and seeds overcame an animal in Hartlepool, which luckily was rescued and set free to snack another day.
We would say that this squirrel is our spirit animal, but we do intend to change all that in the New Year… of course.
RSPCA officer Ruth Thomas-Coxon was called to the rescue on Saturday and found the animal imprisoned by metal bars, with the seeds tragically on the other side of the contraption.
She used wire cutters to free the trapped grey squirrel, which scampered off, probably to find food elsewhere.
Ruth said: ‘This greedy boy must have gone in – even though this is a squirrel-proof feeder – and obviously he had such a good feed he got wedged and was unable to exit.
It doesn’t look very comfortable (Picture: PA)
‘Luckily his predicament was spotted or he could have endured prolonged suffering.
‘He was obviously frightened but otherwise appeared unscathed from his ordeal – however he probably needs to lay off the nuts for a while.
‘I freed him in situ, as we’re legally allowed to do, and as soon as he was free he made a quick getaway – which was good to see.’
The RSPCA has asked home-owners to check bird-feeders – even supposedly squirrel-proof ones – regularly, remove them if they will be away on holiday, and to call for help if they find a trapped animal.
The charity also said that, although grey squirrels are considered an invasive alien species and cannot legally be released back into the wild if taken into care for rehabilitation or treatment, they can be legally released in situ.
Ruth added: ‘There are many types of ‘squirrel-proof’ feeders available, but it seems that a few could still trap wildlife.
‘In this instance the resident did exactly the right thing – she was checking the feeder regularly to feed the birds and then when she found the squirrel stuck, she called the RSPCA for help.’
Could you provide Otis with a loving home for his old age? (Picture: RSPCA)
When Otis came into the RSCPA’s Hillingdon rescue centre, he looked very different to how he does today.
The 15-year-old tabby and white cat was brought to the branch so covered in matted fur he had to be shaved, after his previous owners struggled with his grooming.
As a semi-longhaired cat, Otis needed regular grooming but unfortunately this hadn’t happened in his previous home leaving him with mats in his fur.
Despite his rocky start, Otis thrived when given time to warm up to staff and some much-needed TLC, and he’s now looking for his new forever home.
Tracy Deamer, Animal Welfare Officer at the branch, said: ‘Even though we had to give him a rather dodgy haircut, Otis hasn’t held that against us and he has been an absolute delight to care for these last few months!
‘He’s a friendly and sweet senior gentleman and despite his advancing years, he is very active and would like a home where he can go outside and explore.’
When arrived into RSPCA care, poor Otis was covered in mats (Picture: RSPCA)
Staff had to shave off his tummy fur as it was too knotted to be brushed (Picture: RSPCA)
He may be elderly, but Otis is anything but retiring. He loves cuddles on the couch as much as he enjoys stalking prey, preferring to be the only male cat in the house.
‘In human years, Otis would be 76 years old but you would never know it!’ continued Tracy.
He wasn’t delighted with his new look, but has been a ‘delight’ to staff at the centre (Picture: RSPCA)
As a semi longhaired breed, Otis needs regular grooming from his new owner
‘Now he is looking for a home where he can get lots of fuss. He is looking for an adult only, quiet home as the only pet – or potentially he could live with a calm female cat of a similar age.
‘His Christmas wish is to have a forever sofa to call his own, one he can curl up on with a lovely human companion.’
After not being groomed for quite some time, Otis deserves an owner who’ll take care of his coat too. A daily brush will ensure his current haircut stays mat-free.
Could you be the person to grant this old boy’s festive wish?
If you think you can give Otis a loving home please contact the RSPCA Middlesex North West and South Hertfordshire branch.
Sarah Moulds has been fired after the video emerged (Picture: @CottesmoreHunt)
A Leicestershire primary school teacher has been fired after an ‘upsetting’ video of a woman punching and kicking a horse went viral.
Sarah Moulds, 37, has been sacked from her position at the Mowbray Education Trust in Melton Mowbray after the footage emerge showing a woman repeatedly slapping the animal, which had run into the road.
The RSPCA is investigating the video, apparently of the Cottesmore Hunt, which was posted on Twitter by Hertfordshire Hunt Saboteurs and viewed by millions.
Mowbray Education Trust suspended Moulds in November, and its chief operating officer Paul Maddox has now confirmed she has since been sacked.
He said in a statement: ‘I can confirm that Sarah Moulds’ employment with the Trust has been terminated.
‘As a Trust we are committed to ensuring the best standard of education for all of our young people and we look forward to continuing this throughout the 2021/22 academic year and beyond.’
Moulds had already been removed from her voluntary position at a local branch of the Pony Club.
The horse was repeatedly slapped in the video (Picture: @CottesmoreHunt)
The animal was also kicked (Picture: @CottesmoreHunt)
Moulds was removed from her role at the Leicestershire school
The Cottesmore Hunt also said that after a ‘thorough internal investigation’ a ‘follower will not participate in trail hunting’ with them anymore.
It previously said the group ‘strongly disapproved’ of the video, which it said showed ‘one of our followers mistreating a pony’.
But Moulds’ uncle, David Kirkham, branded his niece a ‘fantastic person who absolutely loves her horses’.
He said: ‘I’ve seen the video but we don’t know what the horse had been doing and if it was out of control. But we know it ran out on to the road and she told it off. There was no malice intended.’
A spokeswoman for the RSPCA described the footage as ‘really upsetting’ and urged anyone with information about the incident to contact the charity on 0300 123 4999.
Could you rehome Fozzie and Scooter? (Picture: RSPCA)
If you’re hoping to bring some bunnies into your home, we urge you: consider going to a shelter and rehoming a rabbit rather than buying from breeders.
This choice could make the difference between rejected rabbits spending yet another Christmas alone and finally finding loving homes.
Just look at Fozzie and Scooter, a pair of Lionhead-cross rabbits who face their second Christmas in RSPCA care – because ‘no one ever applies to rehome’ them.
Perhaps you could be the one to welcome the duo into your family?
The buns were found with their mum and two littermates – who sadly died – living on a building site.
They were rescued by the RSPCA and Fozzie and Scooter went on to spend almost their entire lives in the rescue centre.
This is Scooter, who was found along with Fozzie, their mum, and two littermates living on a building site (Picture: RSPCA)
Staff at Southridge Animal Centre in Hertfordshire are appealing to find the rabbits a home, as they keep being overlooked by potential adopters.
Cathie Ward said: ‘We’ve rehomed 43 rabbits since this pair joined us in January 2020 from another RSPCA centre, but no one ever applies to rehome Fozzie and Scooter; they’re shy souls and it seems to be putting adopters off.
‘We believe their dad was a wild rabbit and the brothers are naturally quite skittish and nervous.
‘They’re not used to being handled so are looking for an experienced adult home with someone who can spend time getting them used to human interaction.
And this is Fozzie. The rabbits will need patient, calm owners (Picture: RSPCA)
‘We’ve started the process here and they’re slowly getting used to us. Fozzie is happy to sit with us and always makes a dash for the food bowl at meal times, but Scooter is more nervous and will need more time.
‘They need a patient and calm owner and a large, safe enclosure where they can binky and play, with lots of enrichment to keep them busy.
‘They’ll never enjoy cuddles and getting too close to people, but improving their socialisation will be really rewarding for the right owner.’
If you think you could be the right owners for these sweet rabbits, contact the RSPCA team by emailing southridge@rspca.org.uk.
All Raffles wants for Christmas is a home with a family who loves him.
The black cat has spent nearly 200 days in RSPCA care, with hardly any interest from potential rehomers.
He was rescued in June after being found by a member of the public in Leicestershire, with wounds due to fighting with other cats.
It seemed that Raffle had been fending for himself for a while, but sadly one scrape meant he needed veterinary care.
While the kitty was getting checked over, vets discovered he also has FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus), which is often seen in unneutered male cats who have been fighting for territory, and can be spread between cats by biting.
His illness means that Raffle will need to be an indoor cat, and can’t live with other felines he could pass FIV on to.
Julie Clifft, fostering co-ordinator from the branch, said: ‘Lovely Raffles is a playful and lovely cat.
Raffles has FIV, which means he will need to be an indoor cat (Picture: RSPCA)
‘He likes a little bit of fuss but he can be wary around people and will let his feelings be known.
‘As he is FIV positive he will need to be an indoor cat but would benefit from access to a catio or an escape-proof garden.
‘He will need a home with lots of enrichment and someone who can take the time to help him come out of his shell and make sure he is entertained as he has lots of energy.’
Raffes is after a home with no other pets or children, with an owner who will treat him with love, care, and patience as he slowly settles in.
If you think you could be the right fit, get in touch with the RSPCA Northamptonshire branch by emailing adoptions@rspca-northamptonshire.org.uk or calling 01604 881317.
One snacking squirrel managed to get stuck inside a bird feeder while hunting for Christmas nuts (Pictures: Grimsby Live/ MEN Media)
Few can say they are not guilty of overeating over the holidays – but this greedy squirrel took it a step too far.
In a bid to indulge in some Christmas nuts, the chunky animal bit off more than it could chew and got stuck inside a bird feeder.
Concerned residents spotted its body wedged inside the tube and furry feet dangling from the bottom near their home in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, and called the RSPCA.
Animal inspector Claire Mitchell was called to the rescue on December 17 at the property on Lime Grove.
When she arrived the squirrel was desperately trying to wriggle free from the predicament and the bird feeder had ended up on the ground.
Ms Mitchell highlighted the poor animal probably needs to lay off the nuts for awhile and added: ‘This greedy boy must have gone in and obviously had such a good feed on his Christmas nuts he was unable to exit.
‘His legs were just dangling out of the feeder which reminded me of Santa stuck in a chimney!
In a bid to indulge in some Christmas nuts, the chunky animal bit off more than it could chew (Pictures: Grimsby Live/ MEN Media)
Luckily, RSPCA animal inspector Claire Mitchell managed to free the fat creature out of the feeder (Picture: Grimsby Live/MEN MEDIA)
‘Luckily his predicament was spotted by the residents who alerted us or he could have endured prolonged suffering.
‘He was obviously frightened but otherwise appeared unscathed from his ordeal.
‘I freed him in situ, as we’re legally allowed to do, by giving him a good pull and as soon as he was free he made a quick getaway – which was good to see.’
While there are many types of ‘squirrel-proof’ feeders available on the market, it seems that a few could still trap wildlife.
Now, the RSPCA are urging members of the public to keep a close eye on any wildlife feeders in their gardens to make sure animals don’t get stuck or injured.
Ms Mitchell said: ‘I would urge people who have them to check their feeders regularly to look out for any trapped wildlife and if you are going on holiday take them down.
‘Alternatively use non-squirrel proof feeders which may attract other wildlife but at least it will prevent animals like squirrels getting trapped.’
Official guidance from the animal charity states that if you encounter a squirrel caught in a bird feeder, you shouldn’t try to free the animal yourself as you may risk hurting them or yourself.
RSPCA advise ‘monitoring the situation’ and calling the their emergency line on 0300 1234 999.
