The Weird and the Wonderful
The RSPCA has released its top ten wacky phone calls received over the last 12 months. In no particular order…
- A lady called the emergency phone line to find out which bus she needed to catch to visit Putney animal hospital.
- Someone called to report that a cat was stuck on a roof. However, it turned out to be a satellite dish.
- Someone asked a member of staff to speak to her husband as he was refusing to get out of bed and walk the dog.
- A very unhappy woman called to say that a cat had been abandoned in her garden. She called back later that day in a better mood to say that the cat turned out to be a surprise present from her husband.
- A lady called up one evening to ask if staff could open up one of the RSPCA branches as she had left her hearing aid there.
- A caller asked if she could borrow a cat from one of the RSPCA’s centres. She didn’t actually want a cat but she had a problem with mice in her house.
- A woman called to tell staff that there was something in her bathroom but that she was not sure if it was a hamster or a spider.
- An RSPCA inspector went out to an incident following reports that a cat had been found under a bush. However, the ‘cat’ turned out to be a jumper with a reindeer on it.
- Staff were asked to help solve a neighbourly dispute as someone wanted to stop nearby residents talking to the postman as it was causing her dog to bark.
- A displeased shopper called to find out how she could make sure she only bought milk from happy cows.
The cruelty and advice line operates in a similar way to the 999 emergency services number and non-urgent calls could prevent staff from dealing with a serious crisis.
The charity would like to remind people that it does have a non-urgent enquiries line, 0300 1234 555, and there’s also lots of information on www.rspca.org.uk
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
