THE RSPCA have had to deal with 173 incidents involving animals in Oxfordshire since the beginning of the coronavirus lockdown.

In the last six weeks, the animal welfare charity revealed it had dealt with more than 21,000 animal incidents – an average of 660 a day, or 27 an hour, nationally, with 173 of those in the county.

One of the many animals given a helping hand by RSPCA officers was an injured cat discovered in Oxford with a serious wound to his back.

Collection officer Grace Mead managed to track down his owner – a frontline NHS worker – thanks to the cat's implanted microchip.

Ms Mead made sure the injured pet was taken to a vet immediately where he received the treatment he needed before being reunited with his owner.

Since the Prime Minister announced the lockdown measures almost eight weeks ago, the RSPCA has received more than 66,000 calls from members of the public.

There are now more than 4,200 animals nationally in the charity’s care and thousands more at RSPCA branches across the country, which are charities in their own right.

It has also rescued more than 1,274 abandoned pets.

The organisation released the latest recorded figures as part of an emergency appeal for cash.

While many people’s charitable donations have turned towards the ongoing pandemic, the RSPCA, like many other charities, has suffered.

To enable it to continue to rescue, rehabilitate and release animals during the crisis, it requires a major financial boost.

Dermot Murphy, Chief Inspectorate Officer of the charity, said: “Despite the lockdown, there are still thousands of animals which need our help.

“As designated key workers, our frontline rescuers are still out and about helping animals in urgent need of care.

“The coronavirus outbreak has not put a stop to animal suffering and these figures show there are still so many animals out there that need rescuing.”

Mr Murphy said the RSPCA’s resources were under ‘huge strain’ and that vital funding was needed to keep the charity’s teams out on the road.

The officer also said: “We know that this is a difficult time for everyone.

“However, we must still be here for animals who are suffering and we are appealing for animal lovers to give whatever they can to help us.”

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As well as rescuing animals in need, RSPCA officers have also been collecting animals from the homes of people who have been admitted to hospital with Covid-19, and who may not have anyone else to care for them.

The charity is urging pet-owners to organise an emergency care plan in case they have to be admitted to hospital.

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One way to do this, RSPCA suggested, is to place a poster in a window informing people that there are pets inside the property so they can be taken care of.

To find out more about the RSPCA appeal and to donate visit rspca.org.uk/covid