Rehabilitation

A lot of the animals who come into our care need specialist treatment before they can be returned to the wild or found new homes.

Rehabilitation can mean straightforward rest and recuperation, along with any necessary veterinary treatment – but it can also mean something a bit out of the ordinary . . .

Dog treats

Human interaction and activity are so important during an animal’s stay at the RSPCA while they wait to find a new home. 

Lucky dogs at the RSPCA Southridge Animal Centre take free weekly swimming sessions in a hydrotherapy pool thanks to the generosity of a local businessman.

Vikram Jashapara runs Quincy's in St Albans, which is named after his own dog, a Newfoundland who has benefited from the pool after having two legs removed. Southridge dogs with physical ailments benefit both physically and mentally from the therapy.

Other individual branches have their own innovative ways to help animals recover from their ordeals and prepare for a new life.

Dogs at the RSPCA Radcliffe-on-Trent Animal Shelter get read to by volunteers as part of the ‘Read and relax’ scheme. Not that we think dogs will appreciate a bit of Shakespeare or JK Rowling, but they do benefit from a bit of ‘down time’ to combat the usual excitement of kennel life, and prepare them for life in a home where it’s not excitement the whole time.

Can you care for an animal for life? Find a pet.

Wild idea

Baby birds in our four wildlife centres learn to sing by listening to a CD of the dawn chorus twice a day.

In the wild birds would learn how to sing from their parents, so by listening to the song from birds of their own species they can learn some vocal skills.

Being able to sing properly increases their chances of survival and breeding when they are released back into the wild. Each year the RSPCA's four wildlife centres receive about 4,500 fledglings during the peak months of April to August.

Find out more about wildlife rehabilitation.