Ricky Gervais backs RSPCA emergency appeal amid coronavirus to help save animals in West Sussex

The comedian and animal lover is supporting the appeal which the charity hopes will keep its rescue teams out on the frontline after around 60,000 calls have been made to the charity’s cruelty line since

the beginning of March.

Animal rescuers at the RSPCA – which has its headquarters in Southwater, Horsham – have been designated key workers by the government, but vital funding is still needed to keep them out on the roads across West Sussex.

Ricky Gervais said: “It is really important for us all to pull together to help each other at this difficult time and someone needs to be there for animals, too.

“I would urge people to give whatever they can spare at this really difficult time to support the RSPCA so they can stay out on the frontline rescuing the animals who need them most.

“They are facing huge challenges through this crisis, but their amazing staff are committed to being there for animals in danger in any way they can and they can only do it with your help.”

On Monday, March 9, the charity rescued both a snake and a bearded dragon after they were found in two neighbouring towns in West Sussex.

A milk snake was found by a member of the piblic in the street in Mill Road, Three Bridges, Crawley, and was safely confined before an RSPCA officer collected the 2ft-long snake and took it to a nearby specialist reptile facility.

The bearded dragon was found in a closed cardboard box in a ditch by a member of the public in Byfleets Lane – which runs between Warnham and Broadbridge Heath, near Horsham.

It had been there for around three to four days, but the person opened the box in order to move it from the ditch, they discovered the bearded dragon inside.

Fortunately, despite having been left in the box for a few days, the bearded dragon appeared to be in good health and was taken to a nearby vet for a check-up before being transferred to an appropriate reptile specialist facility.

RSPCA rescuer Andrew Kirby said: “It was unusual to have had two rescues of reptiles in such a short space of time. We suspect that the milk snake was an escaped pet and we put the details on Pets Located in the hope an owner will come forward.

“It’s very lucky that the bearded dragon was found in time. Exotic pets like bearded dragons aren’t always easy to care for and sadly this does mean we often see them abandoned when their owners struggle to cope with their care which is why we would urge people to thoroughly do their research before taking on any pet.

“If you’re struggling, there is never an excuse to abandon an animal like this as there are always other options open to you.”

Last year, RSPCA rescuers dealt with 2,473 welfare incidents across West Sussex.

Although RSPCA centres and wildlife centres have closed to the public, the charity continues to provide vital care to thousands of animals across England and Wales during this difficult time, and is expecting even more to come into its care in the coming weeks.

The charity is also facing a huge financial strain as it is already seeing the damaging effect of this crisis on its fundraising income, while the costs of saving, treating and caring for animals continue.

The teams are continuing an emergency-only service through the lockdown period.

Dermot Murphy, head of the RSPCA rescue teams, said: “This is a time of national crisis, and many of us are anxious about the future and our loved ones. This crisis has touched all areas of life and the RSPCA is no different. As we all face the biggest challenge of a generation, the RSPCA must continue to be on the frontline, rescuing and caring for the animals who need us most.

“Our rescuers, vets and nurses have been designated key workers by the government which means we can carry on saving animals from cruelty and neglect and we rely entirely on generous public donations to deliver our vital services.

“We are facing immense challenges and huge pressures on strained resources, but our hugely dedicated teams are out there dealing with emergencies and our centres continue to deliver vital care to thousands of animals, with more expected in the coming weeks.

“We know that this is a difficult time for everyone but we must still be there for the animals who are suffering and we are appealing for animal lovers to give whatever they can to help us.”

To help the RSPCA keep rescuing animals and to keep its animal hospitals and centres running for emergency treatment and round the clock care visit www.rspca.org.uk/covid to donate.

You can also find information if you’re concerned about caring for a pet amind the Covid-19 outbreak.

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