Emergency Animal Rescue follows the RSPCA for 6 months as they go about their daily mission of protecting the nations’ animals.
We track them all over England and Wales, detailing their struggle against animal cruelty and see them putting their own lives at risk, rescuing animals from the most dangerous of places. From rescuing sheep that are stranded on 100-foot cliffs to saving wild deer that become trapped in life threatening situations, we experience the true grit and determination shown by Inspectors in the field.
RSPCA inspector Herchy Boal said: “Emergency Animal Rescue shows the varied and often difficult work of the RSPCA. It isn’t always easy watching, but it’s important that viewers understand that there are people out there who are capable of shocking animal cruelty.
“If seeing this programme raises awareness and makes one person think twice before causing an animal to suffer, then I will feel it has been a successful series.”
In addition to regular inspectors, we cover the activities of the RSPCA Special Operation Unit, an undercover crack team of inspectors setup to deal with the worst cases of animal cruelty. From dog fighting and badger digging to bird trapping and animal trafficking. The unit employs state of the art surveillance techniques, informants and the use of DNA evidence to bring the worst offenders to justice.
Emergency Animal Rescue also follows the BARK project, a new initiative that is made up of the RSPCA, the Metropolitan Police and local councils that hope to promote responsible dog ownership. With a rise in so-called status dogs, illegal dog breeds such as pit bulls are becoming a regular nuisance on the streets of London. BARK aims to deal with these issues head on.
And we follow the work of Harmsworth Animal Hospital in Central London, where cases of abject cruelty and suffering are on the rise.
Here, Chief Vet David Grant and his team perform life saving operations and deal with horrific forms of animal cruelty. From animal neglect to wildlife conversation, animal welfare and abandoned pets, Emergency Animal Rescue is there every step of the way.
David said: “Emergency Animal Rescue shows what it’s really like on the front line of the RSPCA. We have to deal with confrontational people, think on our feet, make difficult decisions and witness extremely distressing scenes of animal suffering.
“Viewers will see the often tragic consequences of failing to care for animals properly and I hope it will encourage people to think carefully before taking on a pet.
“It’s so frustrating when day in, day out, you see animals in a dreadful state because their owners either don’t know how to look after them properly or can’t be bothered. We try to pick up the pieces and help as many animals as possible go on to live long and happy lives.”
