In 2021, 281,390 incidents were reported to the charity’s frontline teams via its emergency hotline, with 71,638 in the North, including helping lots of animals who got themselves into rather sticky situations. Luckily, they all had happy endings. Here the RSPCA reveals its top rescues of 2021 across the North.
5. Squirrel goes nuts
A greedy squirrel needed a hand after getting wedged in a birdfeeder in Northwich, Cheshire, on June 19. The rescue features in the RSPCA's list of the top rescues in 2021 Photo: RSPCA
6. Snakes on a pan
A TV star had a surprise when he was brushing his teeth and spotted a snake slithering out of his toilet! Coronation Street actor Harry Visinoni - who plays Seb Franklin in the popular soap - was at home in Hale, Greater Manchester, with his girlfriend, Ellie, when he spotted the snake in the early hours of January 9. They called the RSPCA the following morning and rescuer Sonia Hulme went to collect the royal python, now hiding behind the radiator. Now named Lulu, it’s thought the snake is an escaped pet and is now being cared for by specialists. Photo: RSPCA
7. It rings a bell
A man putting his bin out late at night was shocked after finding a chameleon sitting on his door in Preston. He confined the brightly-coloured reptile to a box and took it to his mum’s house nearby and alerted the RSPCA. The rescue features in the RSPCA's list of top rescues of 2021 Photo: RSPCA
8. Romelu Lukak-ewe hits back of the net
A ewe was left feeling rather sheepish after scoring an own goal and getting tangled in netting in Rossendale, Lancashire. A homeowner raised the alarm on August 22 and rescue Vicki McDonald went to lend a hand. The poor ewe had got herself tangled up in netting from the football goal and had it tangled around her neck. Photo: RSPCA