Autumn is a busy time for the RSPCA. As temperatures drop and it gets dark earlier, we are contacted by many members of the public concerned about the welfare of pets and wildlife during this time of seasonal change.
As the weather becomes colder, outdoor pets will need plenty of bedding. Owners should be prepared to move them into a shed or garage for extra shelter during cold spells.
Seasonal Canine Illness
Read information and advice for dog owners about this illness.
Keeping safe in the dark
With evenings becoming dark earlier, motorists find it more difficult to spot pedestrians, pets and wildlife.
Remember: Always wear reflective clothing to make yourself visible when walking near roads in the dark.
And don't forget your pets! Fit your dog and cat with a reflective collar - but make sure only a quick release collar is used for a cat.
Deer on roads
Road accidents involving deer are common throughout the year, but especially during the rut (breeding season).
The rut can occur from mid-July to December, with exact timing depending on the species of deer, e.g. fallow and red deer rut in the autumn whilst muntjacs breed throughout the year.
The RSPCA is helping The Deer Initiative with their research into where collisions occur most often and why. It is hoped that the results will make it possible for something to be done to help prevent these accidents in future.
It is recommended that drivers take note of deer warning signs and drive with extreme caution at, or below, the speed limit. Any collisions should be reported to the police.
DO NOT TRY TO HANDLE AN INJURED DEER - read our advice on what to do with injured wild animals.
To find out more about deer on roads, read our FAQ:
Grey seal pupping season
The breeding season for grey seals is September to December. The pups are born with a fluffy white coat and they suckle from their mothers without going to sea for the first two to three weeks of life. After this, the mothers leave and the pups moult.
If you find a seal or seal pup DO NOT TOUCH it. Seals can give a nasty bite that becomes infected by bacteria living in their mouths.
Do not harass seals or seal pups, or allow dogs or other animals to harass them. If a seal pup is scared into the water, it could be washed out to sea by strong currents and become lost.
To find out more about seal pups on their own, read our FAQ: Stranded seal pups on their own
Fireworks during the festive season
Domestic pets, farm animals and wildlife can all suffer as a result of the noise created by loud fireworks.
Every year we have to deal with hundreds of calls regarding firework related incidents, such as terrified pets that have bolted or accidents that could easily have been avoided.
For more advice about animals and fireworks, read our FAQ:
Bonfires
Disturb piles of garden rubbish before having a bonfire to check that no animals, like hedgehogs, are hiding there.
Bat alert!
In October, bats look for suitable hibernation sites - sometimes in the roof space of houses and other buildings.
The Pipistrelle species is the most likely to roost in buildings during winter. Other species prefer caves, mines, cellars, tunnels, trees and rock crevices.
To find out more about bats in houses, read our FAQ:
Bats in a house
Remember: Bats are protected by law in the UK - so are their roosts - so you must not disturb or harm them in any way.