Join RSPCA’s fantastic volunteers making a difference protecting wildlife.

Superhero volunteers helped the RSPCA collect, transport and release nearly 2,400 wild animals last year – and now the charity wants people to give a little bit of time this summer to do their bit for wildlife, as part of the Big Help Out.

The huge contribution made by the animal charity’s animal rescue volunteers is highlighted as the RSPCA is urging people to sign up as a ‘Wildlife Friend’ and join thousands of others making a difference as part of the Big Help Out on 8 May – a mass volunteering initiative to mark King Charles III’s Coronation celebrations.
By offering their time and expertise, animal rescue volunteers (ARVs) provide invaluable support for the RSPCA’s frontline officers, freeing them up to focus on the animals who are victims of cruelty and neglect who most need their specialist skills.

Now the RSPCA wants more animal lovers to take action for wildlife and follow in the footsteps of our animal rescue volunteers. By becoming Wildlife Friends they can make a pledge to volunteer their time on the 8 May and beyond to complete small tasks to support, nurture and protect the wildlife with which they share their communities – with even small contributions potentially making a big difference.

Wildlife Friends includes a choice of simple ideas to help wildlife on the doorstep.

For example, volunteers could:

• Organise a litter pick.
• Plant wildlife-friendly plants in gardens and window boxes.
• Build nest boxes for wild animals.
• Put food out for hedgehogs or create a hedgehog highway.
• Get together with their neighbours to start a wildlife project
• Join ‘No mow May’ and make a habitat for butterflies, bees and insects in gardens.
• Recreate wildlife-friendly ideas from RHS Chelsea
• Join online social media groups and signpost RSPCA advice about wildlife.

RSPCA head of volunteering Brian Reeves said: “Volunteers are critical to the RSPCA. We have some 10,000 which help tens of thousands of animals every single year”.

“We can all do our bit for animals and Wildlife Friends is great for anyone who can spare a few minutes, or a couple of hours. Could you get together with friends or family to undertake a litter pick, so wild animals in your area don’t get injured by or tangled up in litter? Do you fancy making a bug hotel to encourage minibeasts to your community which in turn will bring birds, butterflies and creatures like hedgehogs? Or perhaps you could get together with neighbours to create a wildlife garden in your street? Are you a whiz on social media, so you can help share our vital wildlife education messaging so people know exactly what to do if they find a baby bird out of the nest”?

“These things will all make a huge difference for wild animals, and their welfare”.

Those interested in becoming a Wildlife Friend can find out more information on the RSPCA website.
Join the RSPCA on May 8 for the Big Help Out by signing up to be a Wildlife Friend at … www.rspca.org.uk/thebighelpout