0:00:03 > 0:00:05Britain's animals are under threat.
0:00:05 > 0:00:09All too often, our wildlife and domestic pets
0:00:09 > 0:00:12are the victims of cruelty, persecution and neglect.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15Fighting to save them is a dedicated band of people trying
0:00:15 > 0:00:18to protect and care for them right around the clock.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21This is Animal 24/7.
0:00:40 > 0:00:47In the air, on land and in the water, Britain is a haven for animals.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51But when they come up against man, their lives are often in danger.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54From our cramped inner cities to our fields and hedgerows,
0:00:54 > 0:00:58from the highest moorland to the coast and beyond, Animal 24/7 is
0:00:58 > 0:01:04with the people working around the clock to save endangered wildlife and protect vulnerable pets.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07These are their stories.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12Today, on Animal 24/7, no way out.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16Three felines locked in a filthy flat.
0:01:16 > 0:01:21I've never actually seen or smelt anything quite like this.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23I can't believe that a living thing is actually here.
0:01:23 > 0:01:29I join an investigation into claims that racing greyhounds are being abused.
0:01:29 > 0:01:33The initial call was about them being locked up 24/7. They were locked up in a shed.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35Oh, no, not in a shed. No.
0:01:35 > 0:01:41And it's a busy day for this canoe club, as they rustle up 60 swans for their annual MOT.
0:01:41 > 0:01:46With these things, you know, they're wild animals, so anything can happen.
0:01:48 > 0:01:55Reports of animals being kept in dirty conditions are an everyday occurrence for the RSPCA,
0:01:55 > 0:02:00but every so often, a case comes along that shocks even the most hardened inspector.
0:02:00 > 0:02:06In North Yorkshire, Helen Smith is on a job where three cats are being kept in horrific surroundings.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09But it's not just the animals that are living in squalor.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13Amazingly, their owner lives here, too.
0:02:14 > 0:02:19It's early morning in Scarborough and in this block of flats
0:02:19 > 0:02:21live three cats that are virtually housebound.
0:02:24 > 0:02:31For the second time in as many days, RSPCA inspector Helen Smith arrives at the property.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34Yesterday, Helen warned the owner about the way he was keeping his pets.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38Now she's come back to see if anything has changed.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41This is a property that has, apparently, three cats in it.
0:02:41 > 0:02:47At the minute, the conditions are not good, to say the least.
0:02:47 > 0:02:53Although the owner's not in, Helen's been given permission by the landlord to go inside.
0:02:53 > 0:02:58The open door instantly reveals why Helen is so concerned for these animals.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01As you can see, there's faeces as soon as you walk in.
0:03:01 > 0:03:06But the state of this flat means she must take extra precautions before she can go in.
0:03:06 > 0:03:10I've served the person who lives here with a warning notice.
0:03:10 > 0:03:15I've given him a week and a half to clean an area for the cats to live in
0:03:15 > 0:03:19and now I'm just going to go and take some photographs for our case.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24Every single room in this small flat is in an appalling state.
0:03:24 > 0:03:32What makes this case worse is that the cats are locked in here, day and night, with no means of escape.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35The evidence of neglect is powerfully obvious and it's amazing
0:03:35 > 0:03:38that anything could survive in these horrific conditions.
0:03:38 > 0:03:43Obviously, I can only describe the smell but it is actually hitting the back of my throat
0:03:43 > 0:03:47and it's just a pure smell of cat faeces and cat urine.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49These cats are living in here, constantly.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51Cannot get any fresh air, whatsoever.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53All they are basically doing is inhaling
0:03:53 > 0:03:58their own faeces and own urine, which eventually, after a period of time, is going to cause damage to them.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05I've never actually seen, or smelt, anything quite like this.
0:04:05 > 0:04:10And I can't believe that a living thing is actually here.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14Although Helen's here to record the conditions, checking up on the state
0:04:14 > 0:04:16of the cats themselves is proving difficult.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19With no contact with the outside world,
0:04:19 > 0:04:22they're scared and hide away in the shelter of this chaotic furniture.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25I'm trying to see a cat.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27I'm trying to scare one out.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29They've probably not seen much daylight,
0:04:29 > 0:04:32and they've probably been left alone for quite long periods of time,
0:04:32 > 0:04:35so they are quite skitty, you know, they run away from you.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39So we might not actually see the cats today but I have seen them.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43They will be hiding. They were hiding yesterday.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47We managed to scare them out so I could have a quick look at them.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49As far as I could tell, they were quite lean.
0:04:49 > 0:04:56As you can see, all the cat food tins are there so we can't tell when they were actually last fed.
0:04:56 > 0:05:02It's hard to imagine animals living in this place, but it's also somebody's home.
0:05:02 > 0:05:07He's shutting them in this environment 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
0:05:07 > 0:05:12As I can see, they have absolutely no clean, fresh drinking water that they can just leisurely drink.
0:05:12 > 0:05:18They are forced to go to the toilet on the carpet, you know, which is just disgusting.
0:05:20 > 0:05:25After checking the cats over only yesterday, Helen knows they're not in any immediate danger.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29She's committed to giving the owner one final chance to mend his ways.
0:05:29 > 0:05:33Obviously, everybody would like to see me coming in now and just taking these cats out today.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37But we're obviously bound by law, this is somebody's property,
0:05:37 > 0:05:39the cats are actually somebody's property, you know,
0:05:39 > 0:05:41cats and animals are classed as property,
0:05:41 > 0:05:44so we can't just come in and take things, obviously, it's theft.
0:05:44 > 0:05:49We have to be able to give this man a reasonable chance to sort the house out,
0:05:49 > 0:05:51just to make it fair on him, really.
0:05:51 > 0:05:56I mean, he might have a perfectly good excuse for living like this, you know.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59It's very hard not to judge people in this job.
0:06:00 > 0:06:05But whoever's responsible and whatever their reasons are for living like this,
0:06:05 > 0:06:09they won't be given the benefit of the doubt for much longer.
0:06:09 > 0:06:14I'll come back in a week and a half. If it still isn't clean, we'll get the cats out
0:06:14 > 0:06:18and, hopefully, get them into a nice clean environment which they obviously deserve.
0:06:18 > 0:06:23But will she find any cats and will things have improved when Helen returns?
0:06:29 > 0:06:31Later...
0:06:31 > 0:06:38battling the booze, the cats' keeper owns up to why his home is in such a mess.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41I just can't cope any more. So I started drinking.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43- I let things get out of hand, really.- Yeah.
0:06:43 > 0:06:49And using their loaf - the villagers tempt a group of swans towards their annual check-up.
0:06:49 > 0:06:54They're greedy, as you can see. There's about a tonne, a metric tonne, of swan in there.
0:06:57 > 0:07:03Now, greyhound racing has had a really bad reputation in recent years.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07There have been numerous high-profile cases of neglect
0:07:07 > 0:07:13and claims that hundreds of dogs are dumped every year as soon as their racing days are over.
0:07:13 > 0:07:20So when I was out with the RSPCA and yet another report came in, naturally, I expected the worst.
0:07:25 > 0:07:31Boulby, North Yorkshire, and there's been a serious allegation about a number of racing greyhounds.
0:07:31 > 0:07:38I'm on patrol with RSPCA inspector Laura Hunt following up the complaint.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40Hello.
0:07:40 > 0:07:45A series of people have called in, claiming eight dogs are locked up in a shed.
0:07:45 > 0:07:46My name's Laura. I'm with the RSPCA.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49We've had a call about your greyhounds.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52The initial call was about them being locked up 24/7, so is it all right
0:07:52 > 0:07:55if we come and have a look at them? Is that all right?
0:07:55 > 0:07:58It's also alleged the dogs are muzzled day and night.
0:07:58 > 0:08:03The owner's at work but his daughters, Natalie and Vicky, are minding the pets.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05How many have you got in total, then?
0:08:05 > 0:08:08We've got seven down there. We've got one in the house
0:08:08 > 0:08:10but we're looking after another one while someone's on holiday.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12Blimey. Right. What's the story, then?
0:08:12 > 0:08:16Are they pets or are they racers or ex-racers? You race them, do you?
0:08:16 > 0:08:19Well, not all of them. We've got three that are retired.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23- Right.- One in the house. And then we've got two more... if you just want to go in.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25- Is that all right?- Yeah.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29This is a serious allegation and Laura wants to investigate further.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33Now, I mean, the initial call that we had was, as I said,
0:08:33 > 0:08:35that you'd seven greyhounds that are locked up in a shed.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37Oh, no, they're not in a shed. No.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41Another call that we had through was that they're muzzled to stop them from barking.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43Oh, yeah. We used to have...
0:08:43 > 0:08:47- You know the one we're looking after at the minute, he used to bark a lot.- Right.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50So what about the muzzling, then? Do you muzzle them?
0:08:50 > 0:08:54We muzzle them for a bit, so they know they've got to shut up, but we take it off.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56- We haven't had any on today. - Right. Right. Right.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58- We don't muzzle them often. - We've just got two new puppies.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02- They was a bit yappy at first, just cos it's new surroundings.- Yeah.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06Despite the reassurances, Laura wants to see the kennels
0:09:06 > 0:09:09where these working and retired hounds are being kept.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12Hello, guys.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16- That's great. You've got the water down and all the bedding, as well, in there.- Yeah.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19Which are the ones that are retired?
0:09:19 > 0:09:21- These two here?- Why did it retire?
0:09:21 > 0:09:23It broke its leg in a race.
0:09:23 > 0:09:29And my dad's too soft to have them put down so he won't do it.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32We've had them since they were babies. They were our first dogs.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34- Oh, they're beautiful dogs, I must say.- Yeah.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37As far as I can see, there's not a muzzle in sight.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40Obviously, if I came along and saw like dogs that were
0:09:40 > 0:09:44permanently muzzled, then obviously I'd be giving you advice. Yeah. Yeah.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48My dad hates doing it but obviously you get nervous about complaints.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51But it's only just done in the morning when they're getting wound up
0:09:51 > 0:09:53- and it's taken off once they settle down?- Yeah. Yeah.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55Right. Right. No. That's fair enough.
0:09:55 > 0:10:00Assured that muzzles are only used as a last resort to stop the dogs barking,
0:10:00 > 0:10:03Laura goes on to check other aspects of their welfare.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05Do they get much exercise at all?
0:10:05 > 0:10:08Are you able to exercise, especially the retired ones?
0:10:08 > 0:10:13Yeah. They get a walk in the morning and night, about a 40-minute walk.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15- The lot of them, together? - Yeah. My dad does two walks.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17- Oh, right.- My mum, as well.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21And we've got a gallop. We own about a 500-metre gallop.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25- Right.- They go there once or twice a week for a gallop.- Oh, right. Right. Excellent.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28They've also got like a drag hair, but you don't put hair in it, obviously.
0:10:28 > 0:10:32It's like a carrier bag of some fluff and we reel that in
0:10:32 > 0:10:34- and they chase that as part of their training.- Right.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36Your dad's got a good setup here.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40It's very, very clean and I mean, I can't see any poo or anything.
0:10:40 > 0:10:41They've got fresh water down.
0:10:41 > 0:10:45- They've got the company from each other, as well.- Yeah.
0:10:45 > 0:10:50I'm amazed at this setup and Vicky's dad has grand designs out in the garden.
0:10:50 > 0:10:57This work in progress will become a deluxe dog gymnasium, complete with jacuzzi and treadmill.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02The report was of greyhounds kept in a fairly small shed,
0:11:02 > 0:11:04the muzzles on, barking problems.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06We get here and it's almost the completely reverse.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08Really, really, nicely-kept animals.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12But not all greyhounds are quite so lucky.
0:11:12 > 0:11:19Every year, the RSPCA rehomes 1,500 retired greyhounds that have been neglected and abandoned.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24What does your dad plan to do with the retired ones, then?
0:11:24 > 0:11:29Does he want to keep them as pets or would he want us to look at getting them rehomed?
0:11:29 > 0:11:31Well, we've got three that we're definitely keeping.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35We've had one rehomed recently, but when these all retire, he wants to rehome them.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37- Right.- He's in the Greyhound Trust Fund at Doncaster.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39Oh, right. Yeah. Yeah. OK.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43Satisfied the dogs are clean and have the run of the garden for hours
0:11:43 > 0:11:48at a time, we take a closer look at the next generation of sprinters.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50The big dog's Freddie.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53And the small bitch is Scarlet.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56So these are the newest two that we've got.
0:11:56 > 0:11:57They're just going to be racing.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Think they're not even a year old, yet.
0:12:00 > 0:12:04I always thought greyhounds would be highly strung and hard work, but this lot are really nice.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06They're really laid-back animals. They really are.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10Although if you go for a walk and you see a cat or something, then...
0:12:10 > 0:12:13they're taking YOU for a walk!
0:12:13 > 0:12:18After a quick examination, Freddie and Scarlet get the thumbs-up from Laura.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22Sometimes, greyhounds are just seen as pound signs rather than actual dogs and pets,
0:12:22 > 0:12:26but I can quite honestly say I can't see that in this scenario, at all.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28They've got chews and toys around.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31They've got a big, large area. They've got company from each other.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33They've all got names.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35They're obviously well-loved pets as well as a bit of a hobby.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37They look in great shape, don't they?
0:12:37 > 0:12:39Really, really well. Yeah.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41They're lovely dogs.
0:12:41 > 0:12:46It's been an unexpected but successful conclusion to our emergency call-out.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49We can leave confident that the dogs are in safe hands.
0:12:56 > 0:13:01Still to come - I spend a night at the dogs to witness just how seriously welfare is taken.
0:13:01 > 0:13:06It's quite common for greyhounds to get wrist injuries. Just a gentle squeeze like that,
0:13:06 > 0:13:08if they've got an injury, they'll squeak and let you know.
0:13:08 > 0:13:13And wild at heart, will these cats let the RSPCA help?
0:13:13 > 0:13:18- ..grab him. They think your grab is more vicious than a dog.- Oh, dear.
0:13:21 > 0:13:28Although swans are probably one of Britain's best-loved birds, every year thousands are attacked,
0:13:28 > 0:13:32poisoned or injured as a direct result of man.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36But in Burton on Trent, the whole community are working together
0:13:36 > 0:13:41to protect and care for a flock of mute swans that live on the river in their village.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45A team of volunteers round up and check over 60 swans
0:13:45 > 0:13:50in a practice called "swan upping" that dates back to the 12th century.
0:14:00 > 0:14:05The River Trent, in Staffordshire, home to over 60 much-loved mute swans.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08And an annual spectacle is about to take place.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12It's the height of summer and the birds are moulting.
0:14:12 > 0:14:18They're unable to fly so it's an ideal opportunity to round them up and give them their yearly MOT.
0:14:18 > 0:14:23It's an event that the whole community, young and old, help out with.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26Bert Coleman is in charge of the operation.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30The data that we collect from today will go into our database.
0:14:30 > 0:14:37This is the longest standing study of mute swans in the world and the database is quite enormous.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41It's used by a number of ornithological societies for
0:14:41 > 0:14:46their research and we're very pleased to be able to give them such data.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50But how do you round up over 60 swans from a river?
0:14:50 > 0:14:52This job calls for the local canoe club.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56Stefan Bodnar is in charge of the flotilla.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59Today we're going to try and bring the swans down the Trent,
0:14:59 > 0:15:03down to this point, and then feed them into this channel.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06We're hopeful we're going to have a nice straight line of canoes
0:15:06 > 0:15:12that are going to push them ahead and we'll head them off at the Corral, so to speak.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16With these things, you know, they're wild animals, so anything can happen.
0:15:19 > 0:15:25While Bert waits for the swans to arrive, he knows that a tricky day lies ahead for the team.
0:15:25 > 0:15:30While swans are very unpredictable creatures, and if they did
0:15:30 > 0:15:32everything we wanted them to do, things would be very simple.
0:15:32 > 0:15:38The birds are about a half a mile away, at the moment, maybe slightly less than that.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44Onlookers wait patiently for the first sign of the majestic swans,
0:15:44 > 0:15:49then finally, a floating white herd hoves into view.
0:15:49 > 0:15:53At the moment, what we've got is about 60 or 70 swans down here.
0:15:53 > 0:15:59And they're being pushed by a small group of people in canoes.
0:15:59 > 0:16:04We're just going to get into position now, sort of head them off so they go into the catching pen.
0:16:04 > 0:16:09So they should be here in a couple of minutes. We've just got to get in position.
0:16:16 > 0:16:22The canoes herd the swans in the right direction, then volunteers,
0:16:22 > 0:16:27armed with some trusty chunks of bread, tempt the birds toward the channel.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29They're greedy, as you can see.
0:16:29 > 0:16:37They're very hungry birds and this is part of what we're going to do, is entice them with bread.
0:16:37 > 0:16:38The swans have taken the bait.
0:16:38 > 0:16:43All 60 glide into the holding pen.
0:16:43 > 0:16:50There's about a ton, a metric ton, of swan in there.
0:16:50 > 0:16:55The next stage is to get them up onto dry land but that's not as easy as it sounds.
0:16:55 > 0:17:00We've got to make sure they don't come through here so we've got extra people behind
0:17:00 > 0:17:05and really to try and do it with as less stress as possible, really, is the main concern.
0:17:05 > 0:17:06Are we ready?
0:17:08 > 0:17:10They're thinking about it!
0:17:22 > 0:17:25Once on the riverbank, the team gets to work.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29It's mainly weighing that we'll be doing and we will then be checking whether
0:17:29 > 0:17:33or not we caught this swan last year and if so, is it an improvement in
0:17:33 > 0:17:38its condition, is it the same or has it improved, whatever.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41As well as collecting data on the swans, each bird is
0:17:41 > 0:17:45checked for injuries that can be caused by discarded fishing tackle.
0:17:45 > 0:17:51There are about 40,000 mute swans in Britain and their numbers have risen steadily since one of the main
0:17:51 > 0:17:56threats to their health, lead weights used by fishermen, were banned.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59Fishermen are much more careful now than what they were.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02And now the lead alternatives are out,
0:18:02 > 0:18:06the incidents of lead poisoning has, in my opinion, dropped dramatically.
0:18:06 > 0:18:14Unfortunately, of course, you're looking at decades of lead-shot weights on the bottom of rivers
0:18:14 > 0:18:19and very hot summers when the water levels go down, then these birds can actually reach down and pick it up.
0:18:19 > 0:18:24And so when you get an upsurge in lead poisoning, it's nothing to do with fishermen
0:18:24 > 0:18:30using that lead again, it's the birds can go down and reach the lead which they couldn't reach before.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34Thankfully, all these birds seem in perfectly good health..
0:18:34 > 0:18:37We look at the feather stage. This one's quite interesting.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39They're all at slightly different stages of moult.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41This one's regrowing its feathers.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45There's a little bit left in pin which is red, that's the blood.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48So, at this stage, these feathers are still alive.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51Once they're fully formed, the blood withdraws
0:18:51 > 0:18:54so you have to be quite careful we don't break those at this stage.
0:18:54 > 0:18:59And for those taking part in today's checks, they're helping to maintain an age-old tradition.
0:18:59 > 0:19:05I think this is the fifth longest running study of any birds in the world.
0:19:05 > 0:19:11So this was started in 1961 and it's been continuous every year since then, so what's that...
0:19:11 > 0:19:1547 years! So it's a very, very long study and a lot of the information
0:19:15 > 0:19:19about mute swan populations and dynamics and everything else in the UK comes from this study.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23So it's a really important long-term study to continue doing. Lovely.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26That one can go. Let's get some more.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28Need more swans.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31After each swan is checked, they're free to go.
0:19:31 > 0:19:38Enthusiastic helpers of all ages play their part in making sure everything runs smoothly.
0:19:38 > 0:19:44My job has mainly been to carry swans to Bert and he's releasing them.
0:19:45 > 0:19:51And one by one, the swans are swiftly put back where they came from.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54We want to try and get them on the water as quickly as we can.
0:19:54 > 0:20:01As the operation reaches its swan song for another year, the team can look back on a job well done.
0:20:01 > 0:20:06I'm quite delighted with the whole round-up. It's gone splendidly.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10One of the best swan round-ups we've had at Burton-on-Trent for many a long year.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21Still to come...
0:20:21 > 0:20:25I meet one greyhound racer who gives his dogs the five-star treatment.
0:20:25 > 0:20:30It assists in repairing injuries, takes bruising out.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33- As well as being a very relaxing time, by the look of it.- Yeah.
0:20:37 > 0:20:44Now it's back to RSPCA inspector, Helen Smith and three cats living in a filthy flat.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47The pets are locked in the house day and night
0:20:47 > 0:20:51with no way of getting out and the conditions are appalling.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54Helen desperately wants to get the cats away from the mess
0:20:54 > 0:20:59but she's also keen to know why they've been left to live like this.
0:21:05 > 0:21:11Helen Smith is back in Scarborough to see if anything has changed for the three cats living in squalor.
0:21:11 > 0:21:15Just returned today, just to see if he's done what I've asked him to do.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18Just have a look at the cats' condition and obviously give him some
0:21:18 > 0:21:23more advice on how they can live in a clean environment.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27If the flat's in the same mess, Helen plans to take the cats away,
0:21:27 > 0:21:32- so she's brought colleague Leanne Honus as backup. - Oh, he's here.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36The cats' owner, Thomas, is there to meet them.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38Have you taken the carpet up?
0:21:38 > 0:21:40Yeah. Taken it up to scrub the floor.
0:21:40 > 0:21:46Helen's impressed and can a definite attempt has been made to improve things.
0:21:46 > 0:21:51- Can I come in and have a chat with you?- Yeah, if you want to.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53Well, it's a lot better than when I saw it last time.
0:21:53 > 0:21:58So how come you've done this... because of my warning notice that I gave you, is it?
0:21:58 > 0:21:59Well, it wasn't only that, was it.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01I mean...
0:22:01 > 0:22:03- the mess here...- Yeah.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06- is nobody's fault but my own.- Yeah.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08- OK.- I went on the...
0:22:08 > 0:22:11- Beer. Well, at least you're honest. - I am...
0:22:11 > 0:22:13But I'm not usually a drinker.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17The mess I've been getting in and other things, I thought...
0:22:17 > 0:22:19I just can't do it any more. I just started drinking.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23- Right.- I let things get out of hand, really.- Yeah.
0:22:23 > 0:22:29Thomas' drinking problem has meant his life has taken a turn for the worse and he's struggling to cope.
0:22:29 > 0:22:35But despite the conditions he keeps them in, his cats are his companions and he doesn't want to lose them.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38When I saw them last time, they were quite wild.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42I can't even get this out until I get somewhere to move.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45- Yeah.- I've been offered a load of help.- Yeah.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47- Are they in here? - They're in here, somewhere.
0:22:47 > 0:22:53Although the hallway is cleaner, Thomas hasn't yet got round to clearing the rest of the flat.
0:22:53 > 0:22:57Have you cleaned up all by yourself in the hallway, taken the carpet up and everything?
0:22:57 > 0:22:59Yes. I've refused help from my mates and everything.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02Why? Why don't you let them help you?
0:23:02 > 0:23:05- No. Like I said, it's my mess, I've got to do it.- Fair enough.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08I've got to prove it to myself. Now where are they hiding?
0:23:08 > 0:23:14Although Thomas is now trying to care for his pets, Helen still needs to check them over...
0:23:14 > 0:23:18but because they've not been getting much attention, they're skittish and hide away.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21- They're quite wild, aren't they.- No.
0:23:21 > 0:23:22- Are they not with you?- No. Come on.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25They must have been scared when I came, that's all.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29The little one, she's a bit of a... what I call a lad.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32- Yeah.- You know, he takes no nonsense.
0:23:32 > 0:23:33Yeah.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35Will they come out for food, do you think?
0:23:35 > 0:23:39Suddenly, Thomas spots the first of his cats, Tigger.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42- Can you see him?- Come here, Tigger.
0:23:42 > 0:23:46But he won't be coaxed from his hiding place, so Helen and Leanne offer to help.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49Thomas warns them his cats can be temperamental.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52Maybe, in a cat basket, maybe.
0:23:52 > 0:23:56You see the one with two white marks here. Don't grab him.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59OK. All right. I'll get some gloves.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02- Sometimes he's more vicious than a dog.- Oh, dear.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05Frightened cats can give a nasty bite.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08- Leanne and Helen aren't taking any chances.- I can't even see them.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10- You can't?- No.
0:24:10 > 0:24:17It may be a small flat but this jumble of furniture makes it easy for these cats to disappear.
0:24:17 > 0:24:18They've got to be somewhere.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21It's a mystery where these cats have gone.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23How bizarre. Not under here.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26But then Leanne discovers their secret hiding place.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29Hey, there's a great big hole in the back of this sofa.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32- I think they can get inside.- Right.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34There's one.
0:24:34 > 0:24:35Just under that unit.
0:24:35 > 0:24:39Tigger's cover is blown again and he makes a bolt for it.
0:24:39 > 0:24:44Helen seizes the opportunity and finally, the first cat is caught.
0:24:44 > 0:24:45Yeah. Get the basket.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49But the victory's short-lived and he's not yet in the bag.
0:24:49 > 0:24:50Quick. Quick. Quick.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56That's why you need gloves on.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00Tigger heads for the bedroom where Leanne spots a window of opportunity.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06- Wheezing.- With nowhere to run and nowhere to hide...
0:25:06 > 0:25:09- Right, Helen, have you got the basket?- Yeah.
0:25:09 > 0:25:10Tigger is brought to book.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13- There you go.- Brilliant.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15Now Helen can give the cat a health check.
0:25:15 > 0:25:21If he's not in good condition, Thomas could face losing Tigger and the rest of his pets, too.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24Let's bring him into the light for you. Mind your fingers.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26- Chuck it in the lounge.- Right.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29- He looks in reasonable condition. - He looks all right.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31His coat's in quite good condition.
0:25:31 > 0:25:35He's not got any fur loss which is a good indication that he's not got a flea allergy.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38He's obviously quite scared at the minute.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40He's not really, really skinny.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44His fur's all right. His coat's quite shiny which means he's obviously getting an all right diet.
0:25:44 > 0:25:49If all the cats are as healthy as Tigger, Helen is happy for Thomas
0:25:49 > 0:25:52to keep them as long as he continues to clear up the flat.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55We'll just catch them all like this, all three of them,
0:25:55 > 0:25:58and then what I'll do is, I'll nip them down to the vet...
0:25:58 > 0:26:02just get them checked out, get them flead and then we can bring them back here.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05But as Helen sets out her plans for Thomas to make a fresh start,
0:26:05 > 0:26:10he begins to wonder if he can give his cats the care they need.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13- I know I wanted to keep them... - Yeah.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17It's not only upsetting me, it's upsetting them worse.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20Well, I can tell you now, they have got a place at an animal home.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23I've already sorted that out because I didn't expect you to be in
0:26:23 > 0:26:26and I expected the place to be in the state it was when I last came...
0:26:26 > 0:26:30but that's something that you're going to have to think about and decide.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33Let me go and get the forms, give you a minute to have a think.
0:26:33 > 0:26:38- OK. And I'll go and get a couple of baskets. All right?- Yeah.
0:26:38 > 0:26:39I won't be a minute.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46There are still two cats that Helen and Leanne need to find.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50In the meantime, Thomas is left to reflect on what's best for his pets,
0:26:50 > 0:26:54but can he bear to let his companions go.
0:26:57 > 0:26:58Later...
0:26:58 > 0:27:04a tough decision for Thomas, as Helen and Leanne round up his remaining flatmates.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07Good boy. In.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10That is one wild cat.
0:27:13 > 0:27:20I'm back in the village of Boulby and last time, I was with the RSPCA following up reports
0:27:20 > 0:27:26of greyhounds being mistreated, but when we arrived at this house, it was quite the reverse...
0:27:26 > 0:27:30owners that were very caring and dogs that were not only contented
0:27:30 > 0:27:34but extremely fit and now, it's race day.
0:27:37 > 0:27:43It's certainly a dog's life here, home of eight racing thoroughbreds, living in immaculate conditions.
0:27:43 > 0:27:49Today, I'm helping their owner Paul, whose five-year hobby has become his passion.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52You must be Paul. I'm Tom. Very nice to meet you.
0:27:52 > 0:27:56- The big day, a kind of a bit of pressure day for you.- It is. It is.
0:27:56 > 0:28:01It gets you a little bit dizzy at times, especially with having all the others to care for before you go.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04Is there a lot about kind of how you handle them in
0:28:04 > 0:28:07those last hours up to the race that kind of gets them in the right mood?
0:28:07 > 0:28:12Yes. Yes. That's what the grooming comes in for. You tense them up.
0:28:12 > 0:28:14Groom them to get them tense...
0:28:14 > 0:28:19excited, that they know they're going to go somewhere and they're going to have to perform.
0:28:19 > 0:28:23Right. know the grooming, something's coming up.
0:28:23 > 0:28:27They're really, really excited. They know they're going somewhere.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30Well, what can I help you with? Can I get my hands dirty with something?
0:28:30 > 0:28:35You can certainly get them wet cos one of the things that we do is we give them a Jacuzzi bath.
0:28:35 > 0:28:36Wow!
0:28:36 > 0:28:40- It's fitness inducing and it relaxes them, as well.- I've got to see this!
0:28:40 > 0:28:44And first up for the five-star treatment is Mal. Hello.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47You're absolutely gorgeous.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50When I think about greyhounds, I always think they're racing and they're going to be
0:28:50 > 0:28:56- rather kind of skittish, they're going to be rather nervous, but he's incredibly placid.- They are.
0:28:56 > 0:29:00They race flat out for 30 seconds and they'll sleep the rest...
0:29:00 > 0:29:02If you let them.
0:29:02 > 0:29:04But Mal won't be sleeping this morning.
0:29:04 > 0:29:10He's about to practise his doggy paddle in Paul's purpose-built health spa.
0:29:10 > 0:29:13Now, last time I came, this was just a shell. Look at it now.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16A regular doggy fitness boutique you've got going here.
0:29:16 > 0:29:18Yeah. Well, I've bought a few bits and bobs.
0:29:18 > 0:29:22I thought I might as well put them somewhere nice.
0:29:22 > 0:29:25You give them nice sash windows and everything.
0:29:25 > 0:29:27Well, it does pay to be in the joinery game.
0:29:27 > 0:29:32Inside, the Jacuzzi has been filled and after taking the necessary precautions,
0:29:32 > 0:29:36Paul checks the temperature and Mal takes the plunge.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41There we go.
0:29:41 > 0:29:45- He likes this, does Mal.- And he likes it even more when the bubbles start.
0:29:47 > 0:29:52So what does this actually do to help the dogs win races, then?
0:29:52 > 0:29:56It tones them. It exercises them.
0:29:56 > 0:30:03And also, it assists in repairing injuries, bruising, takes bruising out.
0:30:03 > 0:30:05As well as being a very relaxing tonic!
0:30:05 > 0:30:08It relaxes them. Yeah. Relaxes them.
0:30:08 > 0:30:10- There we go. Time's up.- Yeah.
0:30:10 > 0:30:12Turn it off.
0:30:12 > 0:30:14This is where we get wet.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21Bit heavier now, carrying a bit of water.
0:30:22 > 0:30:26Soak over, we give him a quick rub down.
0:30:26 > 0:30:30And as Mal's not competing today, it's back to bed to get his head down, again.
0:30:30 > 0:30:35But racing later is Paul's champion sprinter, three year old Polly.
0:30:35 > 0:30:39Baths are banned on race day but she's due some star treatment.
0:30:40 > 0:30:44- She's so slender and elegant. - She is, isn't she?
0:30:44 > 0:30:46She's a little beauty.
0:30:48 > 0:30:52The bubbles help to stimulate blood flow.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55Get her blood coursing through her veins.
0:30:57 > 0:30:58And the other side?
0:30:58 > 0:31:00And the other side...
0:31:00 > 0:31:02just a gentle massage...
0:31:02 > 0:31:05and to pick the hairs up.
0:31:05 > 0:31:08I'm impressed with the way Paul cares for his dogs,
0:31:08 > 0:31:13but I'm now keen to find out whether they get the same level of attention at the race track.
0:31:18 > 0:31:23Meadow Court Stadium, Doncaster, and Polly's ready for the off.
0:31:23 > 0:31:27The welfare of racing greyhounds has been heavily criticised,
0:31:27 > 0:31:31but at Doncaster, it seems to be taken very seriously.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34Helen Smiley is the resident vet and is on hand to ensure that
0:31:34 > 0:31:39every one of the 90 athletes are fit and healthy.
0:31:39 > 0:31:41So what do you look for?
0:31:41 > 0:31:44OK. So first time I'm looking at the whole dog for
0:31:44 > 0:31:49general health and condition, so we can see she's got a lovely shiny coat, she's well muscled.
0:31:49 > 0:31:54Then I'm going to start at the head so I'm first looking at her eye.
0:31:54 > 0:31:56You can tell a lot about a dog's health from the eye.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59We're looking for a nice bright, shiny eye.
0:31:59 > 0:32:02Next, I'm going to look at the legs and the feet.
0:32:02 > 0:32:06So, going to start with this near front leg.
0:32:06 > 0:32:11I squeeze the wrist cos it's quite common for greyhounds to get wrist injuries.
0:32:11 > 0:32:15And just a gentle squeeze like that, if they've got an injury, they'll squeak and let you know.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18How's she looking overall?
0:32:18 > 0:32:20- She's looking good. - Yeah.- I'm pleased.
0:32:20 > 0:32:25Having passed with flying colours, next it's the weigh-in.
0:32:25 > 0:32:31- 22.1.- Polly's in tiptop condition and can now have a rest before her big moment.
0:32:31 > 0:32:36In the meantime, I join vet Helen for a track inspection.
0:32:40 > 0:32:42So tell me why we've come out here.
0:32:42 > 0:32:48We've come out to check the condition of the track to make sure that it's fit for the dogs to run on.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51- Oh, right.- It is a welfare issue.
0:32:51 > 0:32:54- What can go wrong? - Well, if the track's too soft,
0:32:54 > 0:32:56the dogs find it difficult to run on...
0:32:56 > 0:32:59and they can get pulled muscles.
0:32:59 > 0:33:01Normally what I do is
0:33:01 > 0:33:08at one or two points round the track, I test the depth of the sand and it goes in just over an inch.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11- Is that good?- It's just right. Yes.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15After seeing the lengths Helen goes to to make sure it's safe for these dogs,
0:33:15 > 0:33:19I'm curious to know what she thinks about the sport's bad reputation.
0:33:19 > 0:33:22People outside who don't know about greyhound racing maybe
0:33:22 > 0:33:25still have the opinion that's perhaps a bit out of date.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28They're associated with a lot of punishment for the dogs,
0:33:28 > 0:33:33a fairly unpleasant future for them when they've finished racing. Do you think that's not warranted any more?
0:33:33 > 0:33:36I do think that's unjustified now.
0:33:36 > 0:33:40Some people say that it's cruel but I think in a lot of cases,
0:33:40 > 0:33:43racing greyhounds are better looked after than pet dogs.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46They're kept in really superb condition.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48I don't think it's hard on the dogs.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50The dogs really enjoy the racing.
0:33:51 > 0:33:55And with Helen's standards met, racing can begin.
0:33:58 > 0:34:01It's almost time for Polly's big moment.
0:34:11 > 0:34:16- Our call, is it? - That's our call. Are you going to get that rabbit for me in a minute?
0:34:16 > 0:34:20After Paul's five-star treatment, Polly's raring to go.
0:34:20 > 0:34:25She'll sprint 480 metres, reaching speeds of almost 40 mph.
0:34:25 > 0:34:27Well, there goes Polly into trap two.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30I think she's the favourite for this race, so with a bit of luck, Paul...
0:34:30 > 0:34:32Fingers crossed.
0:34:34 > 0:34:36And they're off!
0:34:39 > 0:34:41Come on, Polly!
0:34:41 > 0:34:43Come on, Polly. Go on.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54- Second?- Yeah.- Second.
0:34:54 > 0:35:01But although first place may have eluded Polly, she smashed her own record and Paul's delighted.
0:35:01 > 0:35:04She ran her time. She ran as fast as she could run.
0:35:04 > 0:35:09The time was 30.20 and the fastest time was about 30.30, just lately.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12- Right.- She's running equivalent to that.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14A personal best for her.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16Just today, the opposition was that much better.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19Just a little bit better. Yeah.
0:35:19 > 0:35:26The RSPCA do still come across cases of abuse, but here at least, that's certainly not the case.
0:35:26 > 0:35:30I think I've won greater respect for the sport of greyhound racing.
0:35:30 > 0:35:34In my ignorance, I was a bit suspicious of the way they handled and treated their dogs but from
0:35:34 > 0:35:40what I've seen here, and what I've seen at Paul's house, I've no doubt they're very well cared for.
0:35:45 > 0:35:51Finally, we're back in Scarborough, to the filthy flat that's home to three cats.
0:35:51 > 0:35:56Their owner admits he's struggling to care for his pets as he battles with a drink problem.
0:35:56 > 0:35:59His animals are locked in his house day and night but he's
0:35:59 > 0:36:04rarely at home and this has left his cats almost feral.
0:36:04 > 0:36:08Helen's trying to round up the cats to get them checked by a vet.
0:36:08 > 0:36:14She's also hoping Thomas will sign them over, but can he bear to let them go?
0:36:18 > 0:36:21In Scarborough, Thomas is still trying to decide whether saying
0:36:21 > 0:36:25goodbye to his companions is the kindest thing to do.
0:36:25 > 0:36:31Inside his flat, Leanne and Helen are struggling to catch the two remaining cats, Sam and Felix.
0:36:31 > 0:36:35Let me get round this end and then its natural instincts will be to run away from you.
0:36:35 > 0:36:40They're refusing to budge out of their hiding place inside this old settee.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42So some gentle persuasion is required.
0:36:45 > 0:36:50- I hope I don't break the floor. - You're going to break the legs!
0:36:50 > 0:36:53Oh, one's come out there.
0:36:53 > 0:36:55One of the cats makes a dash for it.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58He's there behind you.
0:36:58 > 0:37:02- Have you cornered him?- And it's Sam, by far the wildest of the bunch,
0:37:04 > 0:37:10- Slightly crazy.- He escapes into the bedroom but his attempts to hide under the covers don't fool Leanne.
0:37:10 > 0:37:12I've got him, Helen.
0:37:12 > 0:37:14Right.
0:37:17 > 0:37:18Good boy. Good boy.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20Basket on the floor.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23Good boy. In.
0:37:23 > 0:37:25- Good lad.- He's in.- Yeah.
0:37:28 > 0:37:29That is one wild cat.
0:37:29 > 0:37:34With Sam finally restrained, Helen gets a chance to check him over.
0:37:34 > 0:37:38He looks again in OK bodily condition.
0:37:38 > 0:37:42He's acting the way I would expect a cat in this environment to act like, really.
0:37:42 > 0:37:47I think I'd be more worried if he was not showing any signs of fight. He's feisty.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50He's got a lot of energy and he's using his instincts.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53He just wants to, basically, get away from us.
0:37:53 > 0:37:57As does the third and final cat, Felix.
0:37:57 > 0:37:59There we are.
0:37:59 > 0:38:03Once shaken free from his hiding place, he's quickly cornered.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06He looks all right, as well. All right, darling. All right.
0:38:06 > 0:38:08CAT MEOWS I know, darling.
0:38:08 > 0:38:12I've got him, Leanne. Do you want to come over with the basket?
0:38:12 > 0:38:17- And after a bit of a fight, he, too, is in the basket.- Good boy.
0:38:17 > 0:38:21With all three cats caught, Helen and Leanne can now get them to the vet.
0:38:21 > 0:38:27For Thomas, he's come to a heartbreaking decision about what's best for his pets.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30I'd rather them gone now.
0:38:30 > 0:38:34- If they can't be looked after, aye. - What, all three of them?
0:38:34 > 0:38:37All three of them. If it's going to better them all.
0:38:37 > 0:38:39I wouldn't stop them.
0:38:39 > 0:38:40Don't get me wrong, I'll miss them.
0:38:40 > 0:38:44Of course you would. Yeah. They're your pets, aren't they, your companions.
0:38:44 > 0:38:46I call them my bairns.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49All right, chick.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54I'm glad that he's been quite selfless, really and
0:38:54 > 0:38:58said that they would be better off not being in this property any more.
0:38:58 > 0:39:03I think he realises that he needs time to sort himself out and obviously, like I say, he's not
0:39:03 > 0:39:07in very often and it's not fair on cats having sporadic feeding patterns, you know.
0:39:07 > 0:39:12They're quite routine animals so it'll do them good getting in a clean environment where
0:39:12 > 0:39:17they can use a litter tray, and then hopefully get re-homed.
0:39:17 > 0:39:20Thomas knows that letting his pets go is the kindest thing to do.
0:39:20 > 0:39:26But he's clearly going to miss his old flatmates.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29Thank you and I'll just sign at the bottom, here.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32And like I said, we'll take them to the animal home now.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34All right.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36You've done a really selfless thing, there,
0:39:36 > 0:39:39by giving them a new life.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42- Are you all right? - Yeah. I'll be all right...
0:39:42 > 0:39:44after another two dozen bottles.
0:39:44 > 0:39:49With Thomas left all alone, Sam, Felix and Tigger are on their way to a new life.
0:39:49 > 0:39:56They now need to spend time getting used to human contact, to give them a chance of finding a new family.
0:40:00 > 0:40:07Helen takes them to the local vets' surgery where they'll get the care and attention they need.
0:40:07 > 0:40:09They've calmed down a lot.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12In the house, you saw they were running around everywhere.
0:40:12 > 0:40:17They're not scratching at the cage or anything, so to see animals in that environment
0:40:17 > 0:40:22that we saw them in this afternoon, to now seeing them with a comfy bed, they've got a litter tray,
0:40:22 > 0:40:28they've got fresh water, food and they're all together. They've all made themselves quite comfy...
0:40:28 > 0:40:30Those two at the back are used to living together
0:40:30 > 0:40:33cos they're kind of protecting each other which is nice to see.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36So, yeah, it's been a good result all round.
0:40:38 > 0:40:43A few weeks later, and only two cats remain at the vets' surgery.
0:40:43 > 0:40:49Felix and Tigger are making excellent progress, becoming more accustomed to human contact.
0:40:49 > 0:40:54Michelle Moore has been in charge of their care and is delighted with their progress.
0:40:57 > 0:41:02When they first came in, they used to be shooting about in the kennel and completely unhandleable.
0:41:02 > 0:41:07And we had to sedate them just to examine them,
0:41:07 > 0:41:11so you can imagine how stressful it was.
0:41:11 > 0:41:15And they have really, really come on in leaps and bounds since they came in.
0:41:15 > 0:41:20Happy in each other's company, it's important they're allowed to face the future as a pair.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23We'd like them to go together, if that's possible.
0:41:23 > 0:41:29I think if they get the right home then they'll end up being perfectly normal cats.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32Hopefully, that's what we'll achieve and they'll be lucky enough to find
0:41:32 > 0:41:36a home that will take them on and give them that love that they need,
0:41:38 > 0:41:40cos you deserve it, don't you?
0:41:40 > 0:41:42after such a horrible start.
0:41:44 > 0:41:51Although Tigger and Felix are now happy around people, for the third cat Sam, it's a different story.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54Unfortunately, his wild ways couldn't be tamed
0:41:54 > 0:41:57so there was no way he could ever be re-homed as a family pet...
0:41:57 > 0:42:00but all was not lost.
0:42:00 > 0:42:04He's now in his element with plenty of places to hide.
0:42:04 > 0:42:08Sam's enjoying life as a resident rat catcher on a Yorkshire farm.
0:42:13 > 0:42:19If you think you know of a case of wildlife crime, or a creature that needs immediate protection,
0:42:19 > 0:42:25remember, there are dedicated professionals out there who will answer your call around the clock.
0:42:25 > 0:42:29They are the people we meet on Animal 24/7.
0:42:32 > 0:42:36Next time, the dog shut in a cage for being too lively.
0:42:36 > 0:42:42There's very few people who realise the amount of time you have to put in with a springer spaniel.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45A search for the truth with this pet owner.
0:42:45 > 0:42:47Can you please, just be honest with me?
0:42:47 > 0:42:50- Has the dog received flea treatment? - He has.
0:42:50 > 0:42:52- Has the dog been to the vet? - Yes.
0:42:52 > 0:42:57And I have to watch my step while searching for some of Britain's rarest chicks.
0:42:57 > 0:43:01You can see how amazingly camouflaged they are with the sand.
0:43:01 > 0:43:02So terrifying!
0:43:08 > 0:43:11Subtitles by Red Bee Media
0:43:11 > 0:43:15E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk