Rescuing animals from cruelty
We’re the only charity rescuing animals from the worst cruelty and neglect. Sadly, we can't reach every animal who needs help – but working with partners and the public means that, together, we can make sure many more animals get the care they need. Learn about RSPCA animal rescue here.
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How we rescue animals
We get around 800,000 calls to our cruelty line every year from people concerned about animals. As the only charity out every day rescuing animals from cruelty, we must focus the specialist skills of our RSPCA rescue teams on the animals who need us most – those suffering the worst cruelty and neglect.
When we respond to a report of cruelty or neglect, including abandoned animal rescue, our call centre will task one of our officers to look into the complaint.
The vast majority of our work involves helping owners with advice and support to better care for their animals. If someone can’t cope, they may agree to sign over an animal into our care. We may then take it to a vet, one of our rescue centres or branches, or a partner charity, so they can get the care and support they need.
Where the cruelty or neglect is serious, or advice and support hasn’t improved the animals’ condition, we will investigate. Where there is no alternative, we prosecute owners for animal welfare offences.
We have no special powers to enter a property or seize an animal, so we work with bodies like the police or local authorities who do have powers to enter a property, to enforce licensing conditions or get a warrant to go into a property and seize an animal.
Working with partners
Sadly, there is huge demand for our services and we can’t possibly reach all the animals who need us. This is why we work closely with partners, such as other charities, fire and rescue services and the police, to reach even more animals. Often the best way to help small, sick or injured wildlife and pets is to take them directly to a vet. We provide tools and advice to help the public reach more animals in need.
We’re the only charity rescuing animals from the worst cruelty and neglect. By working with our partners and through the kind actions of the public, we can all help more animals get the care they need.
How we rehabilitate animals
Many of the animals who come into our care have experienced cruelty and neglect and need specialist rehabilitation. In 2024, we found homes for more than 26,000 pets and took in more than 13,000 wild animals across our network of centres and branches.
We take in the worst animal victims of cruelty and neglect and those suffering from physical, mental and behavioural issues. Our RSPCA animal rehabilitation teams, including our care staff in our centres and branches, vets and behaviourists, work together to give every animal the best chance of a healthy and happy life.
Our four specialist wildlife centres are equipped with veterinary surgeries, isolation cubicles, orphan wards and a variety of paddocks, pools, pens and aviaries to accommodate the many species of wild animals they admit, from fox cubs to birds of prey.
This work is only possible through the public's generosity.
How we rehome and release animals
We find loving homes for more than 26,000 pets a year. Many animals arrive into our care traumatised from heartbreaking situations. They may have been abused or neglected, or may have never experienced a loving family home and be fearful of different situations. Our dedicated teams work hard to build their confidence and health to give them the best chance of finding a forever home.
We have hundreds of animals waiting for kind and caring homes – meet them on our Find a Pet pages.
We also care for thousands of wild animals every year in our specialist wildlife centres. Once those animals have been rehabilitated and are ready to go back to the wild, our staff work hard to find the right time, place and conditions to ensure they have the best chance of survival.
Happy futures
Explore our success stories
From seals back at sea to dogs living their best life with new owners, explore successful release and rehoming stories to brighten your day.
