THE RSPCA has been busy help animals and their owners affected by severe flooding in Warrington.
The animal welfare charity’s water rescue teams have been called out across the country, rescuing animals, assessing incidents, giving advice and responding to calls following Storm Christoph.
Yesterday, Thursday, officers launched a boat and waded through floodwater in Warrington to rescue a woman, her 14-year-old dog, Pepper, and her three cats, Bandit, Smokey and Socks.
The team then went to another property in Warrington where inspector Anthony Joynes had to climb through a window to reach an elderly Akita called Caesar who was stuck in a flooded home.
His owners had requested help to retrieve him after they were forced to evacuate their house and were later reunited with him.
RSPCA inspector and water rescue coordinator Jason Finch said: "We’ve been busy responding to emergency calls today and have been sending officers out to assess incidents all over the country, from Devon to Surrey, Gloucestershire to Manchester, Cheshire to Gwynedd.
"We’ve also been called about all sorts of animals including horses, cattle, chickens and dogs.
"We send a local officer to assess the scene and determine whether the animals are at immediate risk and, thankfully, they’re often able to offer advice to owners or work with members of the public to trace owners who can move their animals to higher ground.
"In other situations we may ask local people to monitor the situation and contact us if the water rises, or we may launch the boat or wade out to check on the animals and provide food.
"Conducting a rescue in water is the last resort - especially with horses and livestock - as these can be extremely dangerous, for the animals and for our teams.
"The most dangerous thing to do is move animals through flood water as they can panic, injure themselves or fall into fast-flowing water.
"However, in some circumstances, we have to launch rescue missions if animals’ lives are at risk."
In Warrington, water rescue teams spent the evening with the fire and rescue service knocking on doors in flooded areas and offering assistance.
Jason added: "Our teams aren’t just there to rescue animals, they’re also trained to assist other agencies and to help rescue people when necessary.
"We’re part of Defra’s National Flood Response Team and have around 35 inflatable boats and 65 specialist officers who have been trained and equipped to deal with flood-stricken animals and help during major incidents."
To view flood advice for small pets, horses and livestock, visit rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/seasonal/floods.
To contact the RSPCA in an emergency, call 0300 1234 999.
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