Facts and figures

Key information

• On average every 30 seconds someone in England and Wales dials 0300 1234 999 - the RSPCA's 24-hour cruelty line - for help. In 2011 we received 1,341,795 phone calls.
   
• We have approximately 278 RSPCA inspectors, 57 trainee inspectors, 82 animal welfare officers (AWOs) and 58 animal collection officers (ACOs) working to prevent cruelty and promote kindness to animals in England and Wales. Read more about our people and what we do.
   
• Our inspectors now investigate more than 150,000 complaints of cruelty and neglect every year.
   
• In 2007, the Animal Welfare Act became law in England, shortly after it was implemented in Wales.  Described as the single most important piece of animal welfare legislation for nearly 100 years, the Act places a legal obligation on owners and keepers of animals to care for them properly.
   
• We have a network of 166 RSPCA branches around England and Wales, and we work with many animal welfare organisations abroad through our international team.
   
• Our four RSPCA animal hospitals and five clinics treat pets in need of preventative medicine or welfare treatments belonging to members of the public who can’t afford private veterinary fees. (We also have 37 clinics and 3 mobile clinics run by our branches.)
   
• Our 16 regional animal centres across England and Wales help people adopt pets and rehome more animals than any other organisation. (We also have 40 animal centres run by our branches.)
   
• We have four specialist RSPCA wildlife centres in England.
   
• The RSPCA also works to improve the lives of millions of farm, laboratory and wild animals.  

        * More than 900 million farm animals are reared every year in the UK.
        * 3.72 million scientific procedures were carried out using animals in research establishments in the UK in 2010.       

During 2011 the RSPCA...

• rescued and collected 119,126 animals
   
• found new homes for 60,551 animals
   
• microchipped 61,903 animals, helping them to stay safe
   
• investigated 159,759 cruelty complaints
   
• secured 3,114 convictions by private prosecution to protect animals against those who break the laws
   

Pet population

• The UK pet population in 2011* is estimated at:

        8 million cats
        8 million dogs       

• In the UK, about 1 in 2 households own a pet* with around 22 million pets owned (excluding fish)
   

       *Latest available estimated figures from the Pet Food Manufacturers' Association (PFMA). 

About the RSPCA

• Our mission is to, by all lawful means, prevent cruelty, promote kindness to and alleviate suffering of animals.
   
• We were established in 1824 as the SPCA - Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Royal patronage follwed in 1837 and Queen Victoria gave permission to add the royal R in 1840, making us the RSPCA as we're known worldwide today. Find out more about our heritage.
   
• The RSPCA is a registered charity in England and Wales and only exists because of public donations.
   
• Our patron is Her Majesty the Queen, and vice-patron His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury. Read more about our people.