ANIMAL WELFARE CONCERNS

Reporting an animal welfare concern

​​​​

If you believe that an animal crime is taking place, and the suspects are present and/or the animal requires urgent care, please contact the police on 999.

​

RSPCA South Bucks is a separately registered charity from the main RSPCA. Our charity is unable to investigate animal welfare concerns and reports as we do not have the means or ability to do this. The RSPCA Inspectorate, part of the main RSPCA, investigates animal welfare concerns. They have specially trained staff able to carry out a number of functions, such as investigating an animal welfare crime, removing an animal from an area/location, and prosecuting where there has been a criminal offence.

​

Reporting animal welfare concerns must be made by calling the RSPCA HQ on 0300 1234 999 or using the link below.

​​

​

​

 

​

​​​

What to do if you come across an injured animal

​​

Most animals can be unpredictable when they are lost, distressed, hungry or injured. If you come across an animal you think needs help, and you are willing, able and confident to help them, please do whatever you can. You may be their only hope of treatment and ultimately survival.

​

If any animal is injured, please call your local wildlife rescue or a local vet who may be able to come out and rescue the animal themselves. Injured animals’ behaviour cannot be predicted and for this reason it is better you observe and monitor the location of the animal and provide updates to those on the way to help, than to attempt to physically help the animal and become injured yourself. Leave this to those who know what they are doing, if possible.

​

If you are able, willing and confident of helping, and before you take any action:

​

• Always assume the animal to be an unknown risk, so be cautious what direct actions you take near to them.

• Is the animal wild or domestic? This is important, as it will help you best understand the mindset of the animal and determine what is best for them.

• If they are wild, please contact a local wildlife rescue centre. You can search for these on your mobile phone, or call 118 118.

• If the animal appears domestic (dog, cat, guinea pig, etc.), firstly try to locate the owner. Dogs will usually have a collar which may have the owner’s address. The owner may well be nearby.

• Domestic animals may have a microchip. If you are able to, take the animal to a vet who will be able to scan the animal microchip and contact the owner.

• Consider what you will do once you have control of the animal. Plan ahead, you do not want to be attempting to put the seats down in your car when you are holding an injured animal.

​

Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital is the closest wildlife rescue centre to south Buckinghamshire, taking in animals 24 hours a day. Their contact details are:

​

Tiggywinkles, Aston Road, Haddenham, Buckinghamshire HP17 8AF
01844 292292
https://sttiggywinkles.org.uk

​

Or contact the RSPCA small, sick and injured wildlife call line on 0300 123 8967.

​​​

​

What to do if there is a deceased animal on the roadside

​​

It is very distressing to see a deceased animal on the roadside. Most councils will remove deceased animals humanely in this situation. Please contact the council for the area the animal was found in.

​

Buckinghamshire Council
0300 131 6000
www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/your-council/contact-us

​

Slough Borough Council
www.slough.gov.uk/contact

​

For more animal advice and guidance, follow the link to the National RSPCA website below.​​