0:00:02 > 0:00:04Good afternoon, RSPCA control centre.
0:00:04 > 0:00:07What animal is your call regarding today?
0:00:07 > 0:00:11In the UK, someone calls the RSPCA every 30 seconds.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13Exactly what did you see?
0:00:13 > 0:00:15So they're left outside in all weathers
0:00:15 > 0:00:17and they've got no bedding or shelter from the rain.
0:00:17 > 0:00:2124 hours a day, 365 days a year.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24I don't want you to go too close to it because swans can be very,
0:00:24 > 0:00:25very dangerous.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28When an animal needs help, the emergency line is open...
0:00:28 > 0:00:31Do you know something, I've had non-stop calls for the past hour.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33All right, take care. Bye-bye.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35Got a bit of a rough throat, now.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39It's cos I don't shut up.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41..filming as the calls come in...
0:00:45 > 0:00:48..and when inspectors respond on the ground.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51I'll pass this information through to the officer.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55So close.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58Rescuing everything from injured wildlife
0:00:58 > 0:01:00to neglected pets.
0:01:02 > 0:01:03Every shift is a challenge.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06Rhea one, RSPCA nil.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09There's no such thing as a typical day as an RSPCA inspector.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12Get... Oh, my lord!
0:01:13 > 0:01:15We never know what we're going to deal with.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17No two days are the same.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19- You're keeping a dog out there, it's disgusting.- Whoa, there!
0:01:19 > 0:01:23It can get to the point where you feel like you're banging your head against a brick wall.
0:01:23 > 0:01:24It's dirty, sweaty...
0:01:24 > 0:01:27It stuns me, sometimes, the smells that I come across.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29Sorry.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31There's not a lot a lot of glamour in my role.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35Even if you just helped one animal...
0:01:35 > 0:01:36Hi, mate.
0:01:36 > 0:01:37..it's worth it.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53Today, a call to a cat badly injured by its collar.
0:01:55 > 0:01:56Can you see the flea there?
0:01:56 > 0:01:59The Shar Pei with unwelcome visitors.
0:01:59 > 0:02:01Just moving along there.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05And Inspector Tony Woodley is under pressure, moving two little piggies.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07I'd actually been worrying about it overnight,
0:02:07 > 0:02:09whether these pigs would run off or not.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18Illegally breeding puppies for sale is a rapidly-growing
0:02:18 > 0:02:19problem in Britain.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25Last year alone, the RSPCA received more than two hundred
0:02:25 > 0:02:29calls about alleged puppy farming, and puppy trafficking.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33It's exploded, really, over the last sort of two years.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37Now what you've got is organised hauliers of puppies bringing
0:02:37 > 0:02:41dogs in from Ireland, and from Eastern Europe,
0:02:41 > 0:02:44and then selling them for a massively marked-up price.
0:02:44 > 0:02:48This footage was captured by an undercover RSPCA investigation.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55Quite often, the seller will turn up with half a dozen dogs in the boot
0:02:55 > 0:02:59of a car, and you pick your dog, you pay your money and off you go.
0:02:59 > 0:03:03Which is... Just seems to me is wrong.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06It's wrong because many of the dogs are interbred,
0:03:06 > 0:03:10aren't vaccinated, and are harbouring sometimes fatal diseases.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16A lot of those diseases will only manifest a few days down the line.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18Once the member of the public who's bought the dog gets
0:03:18 > 0:03:21it into their home environment, the dog suddenly falls ill.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26Today, police in Oldham are raiding a suspected puppy farm,
0:03:26 > 0:03:30after an investigation by the RSPCA Special Operations Unit.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34The reason why this job came to our notice was,
0:03:34 > 0:03:38we were receiving a flood of complaints about puppies dying.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08The calls have led to three addresses being identified.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11And now the team is ready to swoop on the targets.
0:04:16 > 0:04:21We've got contact at the front door, that's contact at the front door.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24Yeah, could I have a room please, for a female adult,
0:04:24 > 0:04:28arrested on suspicion of unnecessary cruelty to animals?
0:04:31 > 0:04:33The police have arrested a suspect,
0:04:33 > 0:04:38so now RSPCA Chief Inspector Cathy Hyde can get in and check the dogs.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43And there are puppies everywhere.
0:04:45 > 0:04:46I can't believe it.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53These are Pomeranians.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57They're typical of the so-called "handbag breeds" that fetch
0:04:57 > 0:04:58high prices.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04There don't appear to be any serious problems with their living
0:05:04 > 0:05:05conditions.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08It's sort of clean, it's warm, it's dry.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10On the surface, it's OK.
0:05:11 > 0:05:16But Cathy knows dogs sold from this address have fallen ill,
0:05:16 > 0:05:17so she isn't complacent.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21When we first go in, everything on first inspection looks OK,
0:05:21 > 0:05:25puppies are bouncing around, cute, alert,
0:05:25 > 0:05:28but it's after observing them for a little while that you then
0:05:28 > 0:05:31start to see those that aren't actually all right.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33There's this little puppy at the back.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35It's not quite as resilient as the others.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38I think that's possibly not 100% well.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42Here we go, little 'un.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45These puppies are live evidence.
0:05:45 > 0:05:50Vet Sean Taylor must meticulously ID and check every one.
0:05:50 > 0:05:51This one's quite quiet.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54And he spots another poorly pup.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Feels underweight, does this one, as well.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58It is quite small,
0:05:58 > 0:06:01I suspect he's probably slightly younger than the others, too.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03Does have a little bit of dehydration there.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06We could do with getting some fluids into this one,
0:06:06 > 0:06:08because he's got cold extremities, too.
0:06:11 > 0:06:16It's not just Pomeranians here. There's also Chihuahuas.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19And one is in a bad way.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22The little Chihuahua puppy was visibly cold to the touch,
0:06:22 > 0:06:25it was shaking, quite underweight and very young.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29And a puppy that small is very vulnerable.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33After checking all 22 dogs,
0:06:33 > 0:06:35the ill puppies are taken to the vet's.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39But Cathy's still concerned about the others.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42With two of them being poorly from that group,
0:06:42 > 0:06:45it's quite likely some of the others may become unwell, you know,
0:06:45 > 0:06:47they might seem fine today, 24 hours down the line
0:06:47 > 0:06:50they could be unwell, which is why it was really important to
0:06:50 > 0:06:53get the sick puppies up to the vet to take some tests and see
0:06:53 > 0:06:57what perhaps is making them unwell, and see if that's contagious.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02The police are also searching the house for evidence that the
0:07:02 > 0:07:05suspects are operating a business selling the puppies.
0:07:06 > 0:07:10If puppies are bought in from any of the Eastern European countries,
0:07:10 > 0:07:13they will probably cost the puppy trafficker,
0:07:13 > 0:07:15if you like, 25 euros.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19That individual will then sell them for between £800
0:07:19 > 0:07:20and £1,500
0:07:20 > 0:07:21They're making millions.
0:07:21 > 0:07:26Making millions on the back of nasty welfare issues that we deal with.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31And upstairs, they quickly hit the jackpot.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39Envelopes were found containing quite a lot of cash,
0:07:39 > 0:07:43with dates saying male or female puppy, the name of the person
0:07:43 > 0:07:46that had bought the puppy, and how much they'd bought it for.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48And it just says male or female,
0:07:48 > 0:07:52so they've obviously sold a female puppy for £600 - £700.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54£600 for a male puppy.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56That was excellent evidence for us,
0:07:56 > 0:07:58because it linked people we'd taken witness statements from,
0:07:58 > 0:08:02so these people can't deny that they've sold that person a puppy.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07And, under the proceeds of crime act,
0:08:07 > 0:08:11the expensive car outside is seized, pending further investigations.
0:08:15 > 0:08:21The remaining 20 puppies are taken to be checked over, along
0:08:21 > 0:08:26with another 16 puppies removed from the second target address.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29It's been a successful day.
0:08:33 > 0:08:37At the vets, Sean and Cathy check on the two poorly puppies.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41The Pomeranian is already showing a small improvement.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43It's responding to the fluids it's had,
0:08:43 > 0:08:45that would have made a lot of difference.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48But the sick Chihuahua isn't doing so well.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55It's still showing signs of dehydration.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57Doesn't look a happy puppy, does he?
0:08:57 > 0:09:00No, that's right. Just want to see how he responds to food.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02So, we've just got no interest in that whatsoever, which is
0:09:02 > 0:09:04not surprising.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11Sadly, they were too late to save the Chihuahua.
0:09:11 > 0:09:12It died soon after.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18It's a sad example of why it's
0:09:18 > 0:09:21so dangerous buying puppies from an illegal breeder.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24You want to be absolutely sure
0:09:24 > 0:09:26you're buying from a reputable source.
0:09:26 > 0:09:31There's thousands of dogs in rescue centres looking for homes.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33Think about going to an animal centre
0:09:33 > 0:09:36and adopting a rescue dog, and giving that a second chance.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39And then you'll know exactly that dog's history
0:09:39 > 0:09:41and when it comes to you it will be healthy.
0:09:50 > 0:09:51In West Sussex,
0:09:51 > 0:09:56Inspector Tony Woodley is on his way to an increasingly common call.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00A complaint about a pet pig.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04The RSPCA's had quite a few calls over the last few
0:10:04 > 0:10:06years about micro-pigs.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09It's been quite a big issue for us.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12People often buy them small, but then they grow big.
0:10:27 > 0:10:32Tony's been given an address on an ordinary suburban housing estate.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36Certainly not a pig's usual habitat.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39The house that the pigs were at is not the kind of place that
0:10:39 > 0:10:43you'd expect to find pigs, unless you knew they were there.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46And when Tony knocks on the door, he's in for another surprise.
0:10:46 > 0:10:50- Hello, mate.- Hello. Have you got a minute? To have a chat.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52RSPCA inspector.
0:10:52 > 0:10:53Oh, right.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56I've got some micro-pigs I want you to pick up.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58Ah. I think I might be able to help you.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00This call came in originally as a complaint,
0:11:00 > 0:11:03but immediately it turned into something which I think was going
0:11:03 > 0:11:06to be positive and constructive straightaway, because the owner
0:11:06 > 0:11:10of the pigs, he was already beginning the process of trying
0:11:10 > 0:11:13to find a home, and then all of a sudden the RSPCA's on his doorstep.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15- So they're round here? - Yeah, just round the corner.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17Round here to the left.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20The owner takes Tony straight outside to see his two "little" piggies.
0:11:20 > 0:11:21Right. Two pigs.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24Meet Taz. And Socks.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27They are a bonny pair.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31These growing boys are causing havoc in the owner's garden
0:11:31 > 0:11:33and have become too much of a handful.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38There are smaller breeds of pigs, but no pigs are going to stay tiny.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42And people have been fooled into thinking that the piglet that
0:11:42 > 0:11:44they're buying will actually stay that size.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47And that's just not the case.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51And you've had them for about six months?
0:11:51 > 0:11:52About two months.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54About two months? Not too long at all.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56You're quite happy for me to help?
0:11:56 > 0:11:57To re-home them, yeah.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59To re-home them. It's going to take a few days.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02It's not easy to find homes for pigs.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05And that's going to be the fun and games.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11Until Tony can find Taz and Socks a new home, they'll need to stay put.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14But he's not totally happy with how they're living.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17They'd outgrown the house, and he'd done his best to build
0:12:17 > 0:12:21a sort of a sty, an area for them to live in, in the back garden.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26The garden's got quite a lot of children's toys around,
0:12:26 > 0:12:29so obviously not the ideal place for these pigs to be.
0:12:29 > 0:12:30It's the bits of metal,
0:12:30 > 0:12:33a couple of bits of metal sticking out there, those need to come out.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35Just stick it over here,
0:12:35 > 0:12:36if you haven't got anywhere else to take it.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38Just get it out from where the pigs are.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40Obviously you need to keep them in here,
0:12:40 > 0:12:42I see that they've got bedding.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44He took that advice really well, and I think,
0:12:44 > 0:12:49because I was helping him with the pigs, he was even happier to go that
0:12:49 > 0:12:53extra mile to ensure their welfare until we could find them a home.
0:12:53 > 0:12:54Right, thank you very much.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57- I'll head off. That's all right, no problem.- Lucky for you to turn up.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59Well, that was, wasn't it? Good timing.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07Satisfied the owner would sort the sty out, Tony was happy to
0:13:07 > 0:13:12leave the pigs until he could find them a new, more suitable home.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15Finding homes for pigs is quite difficult.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17And so I contacted our press officer,
0:13:17 > 0:13:21got a press release done, we got the story onto social media as well,
0:13:21 > 0:13:26and it was through that process that some people offered the pigs a home.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30Two weeks later, and Tony's back.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36This time, with transport.
0:13:36 > 0:13:37Morning, Jeff.
0:13:37 > 0:13:38Morning.
0:13:38 > 0:13:39Shall we move these pigs?
0:13:39 > 0:13:41Yes.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45Moving livestock is never easy, but Tony has a plan.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49He's hoping to bribe these greedy pigs.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53I know that they're just behind the gate, aren't they?
0:13:53 > 0:13:55- You haven't fed them this morning, have you?- No.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58No, good. So, I think they'll follow the food.
0:13:58 > 0:13:59Yes, hopefully.
0:13:59 > 0:14:03The main thing I wanted to avoid was the pigs escaping
0:14:03 > 0:14:06from the garden at the point when we were trying to load them, and
0:14:06 > 0:14:09then running around the area, that would be really not ideal at all.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11All right, guys?
0:14:11 > 0:14:13I'd actually been worrying about it overnight,
0:14:13 > 0:14:15whether these pigs would run off or not.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21The owner gives a familiar shake of their food,
0:14:21 > 0:14:24and the pigs follow their noses.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26These pigs loaded with no problem at all,
0:14:26 > 0:14:28and it went absolutely like a dream.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32That is the easiest I've ever managed to get pigs into a trailer.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36For Tony, it's all in the planning.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38It's a bit of a boy scout sort of thing.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40That, if you're really well-prepared,
0:14:40 > 0:14:43and you've covered all of the different avenues, the things that
0:14:43 > 0:14:46can go wrong, then actually you can make it a lot simpler on the day.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49- Thank you very much.- Very glad to help. Cheers, Jeff.- Bye.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01Taz and Socks' new home is a smallholding,
0:15:01 > 0:15:0345 minutes' drive away.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08With nearly an acre of land, it's piggy paradise.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13To be honest, I couldn't wait to move them over there.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16It was absolutely right, and just the right place for them to go.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20New owner Steve is ready to welcome them as they arrive.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25The future for these two pigs will be, they will be family pets,
0:15:25 > 0:15:26for the rest of their days.
0:15:27 > 0:15:31Got an eleven-year-old boy. He'll absolutely love them.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35Yet again, it's food that lures them in.
0:15:35 > 0:15:36That's it. Good boys.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40Nice and easy.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43Fantastic.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45Good boys.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48And the good news is, there's plenty of room to grow.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50A happy ending for these pigs,
0:15:50 > 0:15:53it was really good to be able to help the original owner, and
0:15:53 > 0:15:57great for the pigs, and great for the new owners, so, yeah -
0:15:57 > 0:15:58a nice positive job,
0:15:58 > 0:16:01one which I went home with a smile about that day.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13At Manchester animal hospital,
0:16:13 > 0:16:17the RSPCA treats around 100 different pets a day.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19She's broken her left front leg.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22And hospital director David Yates is used to dealing with
0:16:22 > 0:16:24a variety of owners.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27Some who seek treatments for their pets quickly,
0:16:27 > 0:16:30and some who leave it far too long.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33You see somebody that will present
0:16:33 > 0:16:35within a few hours of seeing
0:16:35 > 0:16:37a problem in their dog.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39We also see the other end of the spectrum where things have
0:16:39 > 0:16:42been weeks and owners haven't sought veterinary attention.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46Amber Fields?
0:16:46 > 0:16:49David's next client is Marie Fields, the owner of Amber,
0:16:49 > 0:16:51an eight-year-old Shar Pei.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53- Are you all right? - Yes, thanks.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55What's the problem?
0:16:55 > 0:16:57Yeah. I'll say.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59How long's your dog had that for?
0:16:59 > 0:17:01It's been on and off for a few week.
0:17:03 > 0:17:04You are very scratchy, aren't you?
0:17:04 > 0:17:07It's annoying, though, because she's just scratching
0:17:07 > 0:17:08and biting all the time.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12Some owners present fairly early on,
0:17:12 > 0:17:16when the dog's been itchy for a day or a few hours.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20This wasn't the case with this dog, the skin had been inflamed
0:17:20 > 0:17:24for some time, and similarly with the eye problems, as well.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27- Your dog's got what's called entropion.- Has it?
0:17:27 > 0:17:29Where the eyelid's turning in a little bit on the eye.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32Can you see how it's got tear staining down its eyes?
0:17:32 > 0:17:33Yeah, yeah.
0:17:33 > 0:17:37- Has your dog had ear problems in the past?- Yeah.
0:17:37 > 0:17:38And when did they start?
0:17:39 > 0:17:43They've been on and off for like a few weeks, as well.
0:17:43 > 0:17:44Oh, yeah, yeah.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47I think it's probably been longer than that, hasn't it?
0:17:47 > 0:17:49When somebody's left it too late it's important that they
0:17:49 > 0:17:52don't see my frustration, it's important that we both
0:17:52 > 0:17:54arrive at the best solution for their animal.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56There was a flea that just jumped.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58Yeah.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02David quickly finds the likely cause of Amber's chronic skin condition.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04- There you are. Can you see the flea there?- Yeah.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06Just moving along there.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10- Problem is, when you touch them, they ping off, they jump.- I know.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15There were live fleas visibly running around the surface
0:18:15 > 0:18:17of the animal's skin and fur.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20They lay eggs that drop off your pet,
0:18:20 > 0:18:22and they'll be in your furniture.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25Yeah.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27An infestation with fleas is not a trivial thing,
0:18:27 > 0:18:29it needs to be treated promptly.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32I don't know whether to give your dog a steroid injection or not,
0:18:32 > 0:18:35you know, the steroid will reduce the irritation.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37Is your dog vaccinated?
0:18:42 > 0:18:45In case David needs to vaccinate Amber,
0:18:45 > 0:18:49he decides to use a topical anti-flea treatment,
0:18:49 > 0:18:52rather than a powerful steroid injection.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58So, this will help to kill the adult fleas that are on your dog.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05Even though this owner's presented later than I would like,
0:19:05 > 0:19:09we would far sooner treat animals than people be
0:19:09 > 0:19:11frightened of coming to the vet, so I'm glad the owner's come,
0:19:11 > 0:19:14with a bit of luck we'll engage with the owner and be able to
0:19:14 > 0:19:17get on top of the problem and improve the dog's welfare.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19- We'll see you again in a week's time, if we can.- OK, then.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21- All right?- All right, thank you!
0:19:21 > 0:19:22- Bye now.- Bye.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28But David's next client, Lisa Durmaz, has wasted no
0:19:28 > 0:19:32time in getting her four-year-old cat, Winnie, to the vet's.
0:19:32 > 0:19:33Winnie Durmaz?
0:19:33 > 0:19:37Usually a housecat, Winnie escaped for a night on the tiles,
0:19:37 > 0:19:40and this morning is acting totally out of character.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45The owner wasn't quite sure what had happened here.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48It makes the diagnosis more difficult for me,
0:19:48 > 0:19:51but I'd sooner be troubled by having to solve something early
0:19:51 > 0:19:54stages than having to fix something that's been left too long.
0:19:55 > 0:19:56So, she's not eaten?
0:19:56 > 0:19:59She's not eaten this morning, no.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01She's damaged her claw there.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03That could have been climbing or fighting with something.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10Let's just have a closer look at that if we can.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13Yeah, that's very sore at the base there, isn't it?
0:20:13 > 0:20:16You're really in the front line when you're examining a cat.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19CAT SCREECHES
0:20:19 > 0:20:22If you find a source of pain, quite often they'll react,
0:20:22 > 0:20:24in this case the cat was quite vocal
0:20:24 > 0:20:28and obviously in a fair degree of discomfort.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30All right, all right.
0:20:30 > 0:20:31David sedates Winnie
0:20:31 > 0:20:36so he can continue his examination without risking life and limb.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40And he quickly finds the root cause of Winnie's woes.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43There we are. We've got a puncture wound, there.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45So, it looks like a bite off another cat.
0:20:45 > 0:20:49Aggressive cats that are fighting face-on tend to have, obviously,
0:20:49 > 0:20:52facial wounds, the loser cat, quite often that's running away,
0:20:52 > 0:20:55tends to get the bite around its tail end and I think what we'd got
0:20:55 > 0:20:59is, Winnie has come off as the loser from a scuffle with another cat.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02So, that's the antibiotic.
0:21:03 > 0:21:07But Lisa's speedy response means that Winnie has got the treatment
0:21:07 > 0:21:11she needs to prevent a minor wound turning into something more serious.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16An untreated cat bite wound, where another cat is introducing
0:21:16 > 0:21:21bugs deep into the soft tissues, can result in a slow-boiling infection
0:21:21 > 0:21:25that may become an abscess that may burst several days down the line.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29That is painful for the cat, so seeing a patient so early on,
0:21:29 > 0:21:32with a minor puncture wound, it's much easier to treat.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34Well done, girl.
0:21:34 > 0:21:35Over the next few days,
0:21:35 > 0:21:38I want you to try your best to give her some tablets.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40And they'll help to prevent the infection.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42- So we'll see you in a few days. Yeah?- Yeah. Thanks.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46Luckily for Winnie, Lisa knew to act fast.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59Every animal the RSPCA helps starts with a call.
0:21:59 > 0:22:00Keep an eye out.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02Any changes at all, obviously give us a call back, let us know.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05Someone, somewhere picking up the phone.
0:22:05 > 0:22:06And where are you calling from?
0:22:08 > 0:22:11We're here because members of the public call in.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14Have you actually seen them in the house?
0:22:14 > 0:22:16If members of the public didn't
0:22:16 > 0:22:18tell us about a dog that didn't
0:22:18 > 0:22:20have shelter, or a cat that's not
0:22:20 > 0:22:23getting fed, then we don't know.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50In Gateshead, Inspector Jaqui Miller is responding.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54Hello! All right? Thank you.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57She fears the cat could have been injured by a dangerous
0:22:57 > 0:23:01fashion collar, a problem she's seen many times before.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05There's so many safety snap collars on the market,
0:23:05 > 0:23:07I don't even see why these collars, with just a simple
0:23:07 > 0:23:10buckle on, are even on the market any more.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13So she's quite friendly then, if you've managed to get up to her to cut her collar off.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15Come on, big puss.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18First walked in the garage, the cat was hiding.
0:23:18 > 0:23:23I can hear you! Yes! Hello, gorgeous!
0:23:25 > 0:23:27It didn't appear that bad,
0:23:27 > 0:23:31and I couldn't quite think there was anything wrong with it.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36Whether it was put out and had been abandoned, or it's got lost,
0:23:36 > 0:23:40it was obviously someone's cat and it was pretty well looked after.
0:23:40 > 0:23:41Can I have a look at you?
0:23:41 > 0:23:44But then Jaqui sees why the caller was so worried.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46- Oh, yes.- See it?- Yeah.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51The injury looks and smells infected.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57The smell is just, it's just, putrid, rotten flesh,
0:23:57 > 0:23:59that's what you can smell.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02I mean, she's bright and alert.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05But she does have, under this left wound here,
0:24:05 > 0:24:10the start of a collar injury, where you can see all the yellow
0:24:10 > 0:24:13pus of the infection, and you can smell it, as well.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17Hopefully it's just started, and it's not gone too deep, because it's
0:24:17 > 0:24:20when they get really, really deep, that's when they just don't heal,
0:24:20 > 0:24:23because of the constant movement on that joint, and the skin underneath.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26- Have you got the collar with you? - I have got it, here.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28That's the offending collar.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32It was just the typical £1 fashion collar.
0:24:32 > 0:24:39So, all this is sort of moist. And, smells pretty horrendous.
0:24:39 > 0:24:40Goes right through you.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43It's all the build-up of all the infection
0:24:43 > 0:24:46and all the infection's sort of, pus.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48It's not very nice and it turns your stomach.
0:24:48 > 0:24:52So all this has been stuck under here.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57These type of collars don't have a safety clip that automatically
0:24:57 > 0:24:59opens if the cat gets caught.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03I mean, that's just horrendous.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07And people wonder why I rant on about these.
0:25:07 > 0:25:08People know how dangerous they are,
0:25:08 > 0:25:11and they cause these horrific injuries.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13There's no need to.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19Jaqui has no idea how long the cat has been injured or
0:25:19 > 0:25:20missing from her home.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23And, with no identification microchip,
0:25:23 > 0:25:28the chances of reuniting her with her owner are slim.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30The next step was to get a poster up to let
0:25:30 > 0:25:33someone in the neighbourhood know that we've got it.
0:25:33 > 0:25:34I'm just going to stick it up on here,
0:25:34 > 0:25:37just because this is the main thoroughfare into the estate.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39And you've got a school over there and the shops.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42So if it belongs to anyone around here, then,
0:25:42 > 0:25:44hopefully they'll see this poster.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48It just really emphasises the fact that people need to get their
0:25:48 > 0:25:51animals microchipped and they need to keep their details up to date.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56The priority now is to get the cat's injury checked and treated,
0:25:56 > 0:25:58with local vet Lorna Miller.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03Right, what have you got here?
0:26:03 > 0:26:07Kitty. Collar injury, the person's gone and cut the collar off.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09Come here, sweetie.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11When Lorna starts to examine the cat,
0:26:11 > 0:26:15it's clear its injury is far more serious than Jaqui first thought.
0:26:17 > 0:26:21Oh, dear, dear, dear. It's all right, sweetie, I know.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23It wasn't nice, I mean it must have been rubbing,
0:26:23 > 0:26:26the cat must've been really feeling that...
0:26:26 > 0:26:28pushing against its skin.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31That's where it's been caught as well. Round there.
0:26:31 > 0:26:32And round there.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39The collar had large, encrusted, fake diamantes.
0:26:39 > 0:26:40When we did lift the leg up,
0:26:40 > 0:26:44we actually saw that piece of diamante was actually physically stuck in its skin.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50Despite the infection, the cat's had a lucky escape.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56If the cat hadn't have gone in the gentleman's garage, it would've just
0:26:56 > 0:27:01got deeper, and deeper, and deeper, and more infected and more infected,
0:27:01 > 0:27:04and, you know, she probably would've just died from the infection.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07From, you know, severe infection.
0:27:07 > 0:27:11I can see why people would buy these collars,
0:27:11 > 0:27:13because they've got the bling on.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15But it's not necessary, the cats don't care.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19Well, there's only one place this is going.
0:27:19 > 0:27:20And that's in the bin.
0:27:25 > 0:27:29But with the right treatment, the cat should make a full recovery.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32She'll need pain relief and antibiotics and everything,
0:27:32 > 0:27:35but what it really needs at the moment is a good, deep clean.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37To get all that stuff out.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39And I mean, she'll have been trying to keep it clean herself,
0:27:39 > 0:27:41poor little soul.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45But she's in remarkably good spirits.
0:27:45 > 0:27:46This little pussy cat, isn't she?
0:27:46 > 0:27:50- She's an absolutely beautiful cat. - She's absolutely gorgeous.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52And things did turn out well.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55Although the cat's original owner never came forward,
0:27:55 > 0:27:58the cat soon found a new, loving home.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01It is a good result, at the end of the day, you know,
0:28:01 > 0:28:03we started with a cat with a really horrible injury,
0:28:03 > 0:28:07it's got treated and then it's got itself in a nice, lovely new home.