The RSPCA in Wales is providing an emergency-only service to animals through the coronavirus crisis in the wake of UK Government and Welsh Government advice.

The animal charity which has a team of frontline officers, 17 animals centres – including Bryn-y-Maen Animal Centre and Newport Animal Centre – four wildlife centres and four animal hospitals across England and Wales, has reassured animal lovers they will still be dealing with emergency cases.

Chief executive, Chris Sherwood, said: “Despite most of the country staying at home there are still animals which need our help and I’m so incredibly thankful for frontline officers helping animals in emergency situations, our hospital workers for providing emergency treatment and our centre staff and volunteers who are giving love and affection to the hundreds of animals in our care.

“We’ve taken steps to make sure that we are dealing with emergency cases only so we can play our part in stopping the spread of this virus and safeguard our staff and volunteers.

“We rely on the public’s help and we would ask them to only call our helpline in an emergency and visit our website for all other enquiries.”

The RSPCA has a team of frontline officers working around the clock to deal with emergency only cases.

Officers are wearing protective clothing, regularly handwashing before and after handling animals, avoiding entering premises and asking people to bring animals to the door where appropriate and keeping their vans clean.

Each year the RSPCA answers more than a million calls from the public concerned about animals.

The charity has appealed to the public to only call in the event of an emergency and be patient, as despite contingency planning, they have fewer people available to answer calls.

The RSPCA has 17 nationally run animal centres – including two in Wales, Bryn-y-Maen and Newport Animal Centre. These are now closed to the public and staff have paused rehoming and fostering. This will resume as soon as it is safe.

Staff and volunteers will be focusing on giving love and attention to the hundreds of animals in their care. Centres and shops have closed to the public. 

Chris added: “We know these are really worrying times for everyone and I hope hearing that we are still helping animals is a little piece of good news.

“We know many people will be financially worse off as a result of this crisis but if anyone is in a position to make a donation to help our services continue we would really appreciate it.”