0:00:04 > 0:00:06Britain's animals are under threat.
0:00:06 > 0:00:09All too often our wildlife and domestic pets
0:00:09 > 0:00:10are the victims of cruelty,
0:00:10 > 0:00:13persecution and neglect.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16Fighting to save them is a dedicated band of people
0:00:16 > 0:00:19trying to protect and care for them right around the clock.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22This is Animal 24:7.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44In the air, on land
0:00:44 > 0:00:47and in the water, Britain is a haven for animals.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50But when they come up against man,
0:00:50 > 0:00:52their lives are often in danger.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55From our cramped inner cities to our fields and hedgerows,
0:00:55 > 0:00:58from the highest moorland to the coast and beyond,
0:00:58 > 0:01:02Animal 24:7 is with the people working around the clock
0:01:02 > 0:01:05to save endangered wildlife and protect vulnerable pets.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07These are their stories.
0:01:10 > 0:01:14Today on Animal 24:7, the pooches' playground
0:01:14 > 0:01:17that's packed with danger.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19Well, it was all clear, but it doesn't help with Lee's mates
0:01:19 > 0:01:22- chucking cans out the window. - No, it doesn't.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24Cor, how much beer does he get through?
0:01:24 > 0:01:28Free Billy, the race to save a beached whale.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30We're extremely worried at the moment,
0:01:30 > 0:01:32- because she's in the process of drowning.- Drowning?
0:01:32 > 0:01:35She's on her side, blowhole is going in and out of the water.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38And mice and easy. I need the gentle touch
0:01:38 > 0:01:41to feed these tiny mouths.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44- How often do you have to do this? - We feed these about every hour.
0:01:44 > 0:01:49- Every hour?- Yes. - I just love his little hands gripping the end of the syringe.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55First, owning a pet comes with great responsibility.
0:01:55 > 0:02:01They need to be fed, watered and if you opt for man's best friend, they need exercising.
0:02:01 > 0:02:06It's also important that the area they live and play in is safe
0:02:06 > 0:02:09and hazard free, but all too often the RSPCA
0:02:09 > 0:02:14come across people whose pets are being kept in dirty and dangerous conditions.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25Meet Sandy, Sally...
0:02:25 > 0:02:31and Titch, three dogs sharing their garden with a whole heap of junk.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36For the pets, it's something of an adventure playground.
0:02:36 > 0:02:43There's an old sofa to chew, some great vantage points and even a mattress for sunbathing.
0:02:43 > 0:02:48But the dogs are blissfully unaware of the dangers posed by their home,
0:02:48 > 0:02:51and so, it seems, are their owners.
0:02:51 > 0:02:59RSPCA inspector Edwina Davidson wants to give some advice on how to make their garden more dog-friendly,
0:02:59 > 0:03:02and it's not the first time she's been here.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06The dogs are at home, though it seems their owners aren't.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09But then Sam and partner Lee come round the corner.
0:03:09 > 0:03:10Hiya! The RSPCA.
0:03:11 > 0:03:16I've basically just had a call about the dogs, again, yeah, so if you don't mind, I thought,
0:03:16 > 0:03:19"I know you anyway, I'll come and see how you're getting on."
0:03:19 > 0:03:22If there's anything else I can do to help and what have you,
0:03:22 > 0:03:27- then we can see. How are you managing with them? All right? - Yeah. Be careful with Sally, Lee.
0:03:27 > 0:03:28- In!- Come on, then.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31Come on, this way!
0:03:31 > 0:03:35The dogs have fresh water, but like the garden, the kitchen's also hazardous.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38Oh, yeah, there's a bit of glass round there, isn't there?
0:03:38 > 0:03:43- Let's try and get them out the way. - Titch! Lee, she wants them outside.
0:03:43 > 0:03:48The dogs are clearly excitable, and left on their own, one of them has smashed a glass.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53Yeah, shall we clean that little bit of glass up, then?
0:03:53 > 0:03:58That's quite funny cos the call we've had is about the dogs being sometimes outside in the garden
0:03:58 > 0:04:04with glass and sort of debris around. I know, I've come and there's a broken glass in the kitchen.
0:04:04 > 0:04:11It's kind of weird timing. What you might need to just do, when you do go out, make sure there's nothing
0:04:11 > 0:04:16- sort of tail height or... - It's Sandy, she's like a kangaroo, she'll jump up.
0:04:16 > 0:04:21- Yeah...- Like once we went out and left that open, and she managed to jump from down there,
0:04:21 > 0:04:25- up there, through the window and out in the back garden.- Yeah, OK.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27I think it's just kind of damage limitation, isn't it?
0:04:27 > 0:04:31Try and keep things out of the way that they could knock over and break.
0:04:31 > 0:04:35- You can tell they're well looked after, they're all happy. - Yeah. No, absolutely.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38The happiness of these dogs isn't in question.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42It's their environment that Edwina's worried about.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46It's amazing they're all so healthy when you take a look at where they're playing.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49Sam and Lee's discarded household objects
0:04:49 > 0:04:53have created a place where a serious accident is waiting to happen.
0:04:53 > 0:04:58In amongst the broken furniture lie sharp glass and metal that are a real danger
0:04:58 > 0:05:01to Sally, Sandy and Titch.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04- What you need to do is just have a bit of a clear-up out here.- Yeah.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07There's stuff that they could cut themselves on, isn't there?
0:05:07 > 0:05:13You know, bits of plastic, they could get their claws caught in, the wire rack, that kind of thing,
0:05:13 > 0:05:18the empty cans - all of that stuff can cause them some problems and injuries.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20She has got a little bit of blood on her claw, actually.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23- I don't know whether that's... - Come here a minute.- Oh, is that...?
0:05:23 > 0:05:27Oh, no, that's nail varnish, in fact.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29Has she been painting her nails?!
0:05:29 > 0:05:31That was the other day when she tried to eat it.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34She obviously just likes painting her nails.
0:05:34 > 0:05:40But it's not Titch that needs a makeover, the garden's in desperate need of a clear-up.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44And it's not just about safety, it's about basic hygiene, too.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47It's the environment bit that we need to change, OK?
0:05:47 > 0:05:53It's just good practice to clear up if there's any dog poo lying around, yeah, just to keep that clear.
0:05:53 > 0:05:59And you need to keep it free from hazards, so clearing up anything that can hurt them.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02- Can the council clear it away or...? - We're hoping to sort that out.
0:06:02 > 0:06:08- The council are meant to clear it away, I've just got to sort my money.- Yeah, OK, all right, OK.
0:06:08 > 0:06:13Sam clearly loves her three dogs, so Edwina really doesn't want to take them away from her.
0:06:14 > 0:06:20But this is a serious situation, and if things don't improve in the near future, she'll have no option
0:06:20 > 0:06:22but to take things further.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28What I'll say, then, if by the same date, by that Friday, 25th,
0:06:28 > 0:06:32if you can have cleared up the bits you can do, yeah?
0:06:32 > 0:06:37So any glass, cans, bits of plastic, anything like that that could cause them any injury.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40Cos the sofa, they're not going to get hurt on that, or the mattress.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44- Well, no, Sandy seems to sunbathe on both of them.- Right, OK.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48- She loves the sun. - Fair enough. All right, fair enough. So any sharp debris, OK?
0:06:48 > 0:06:52Remove...sharp...
0:06:53 > 0:06:55..or dangerous... CRASH!
0:06:55 > 0:06:56Oi!
0:06:58 > 0:06:59..objects...
0:06:59 > 0:07:02- from garden.- Yes!
0:07:02 > 0:07:04They rule this place, don't they?
0:07:04 > 0:07:06We know who's in charge.
0:07:06 > 0:07:07Shut up!
0:07:08 > 0:07:12Sam's taken on the advice and has promised to tidy up
0:07:12 > 0:07:15but, before Edwina leaves, she's asked for some more help.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19Sally has an old injury that seems to be causing some problems.
0:07:19 > 0:07:20- The one she had most recently?- Yes.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23One of her legs, she had it broken...
0:07:23 > 0:07:30- Oh, right.- ..when she was a pup. It keeps weeping, but it's not blood, it's like...gunge.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33Well, if you can get her in on her own...
0:07:33 > 0:07:37Sally is brought into the living room so Edwina can take a closer look at her leg.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39We'll go through there. It's a bit lighter.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43- OK, sweetheart.- Calm down. - Are you going on your bed?
0:07:43 > 0:07:46Which leg is it? This front one here? Oh, I can see.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50But it's like when she catches it, it weeps, and it kind of worries me.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52Yeah, it is a bit wet there.
0:07:53 > 0:07:58But that's quite well healed, isn't it? Scar tissue.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01- Does she lick it? Is she sort of licking at it?- Yeah.
0:08:01 > 0:08:06OK. Are you registered at the PDSA?
0:08:06 > 0:08:08Not with this one, no.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12Well, I would say that you should take her to the vet and have that checked out.
0:08:12 > 0:08:18- Right.- Because while it looks like there is quite a nice bit of scar tissue there where it's healed over,
0:08:18 > 0:08:23it is a little bit swollen, isn't it, in places? And if it is weeping, it might just be that she'll need
0:08:23 > 0:08:26a little bit of antibiotic or something to clear it up.
0:08:26 > 0:08:34Edwina advises Sam to register with a veterinary charity so Sally's leg can be examined free of charge.
0:08:36 > 0:08:41- Brilliant, thank you very much, Sam, and I'll see you on or around the 25th.- Yeah, that's fine.
0:08:41 > 0:08:46The RSPCA always try to work with people to help them care for their pets,
0:08:46 > 0:08:51but Sandy, Sally and Titch shouldn't have to live in this garden.
0:08:51 > 0:08:56In a couple of weeks' time, Edwina will find out if they've got a safer place to play.
0:08:59 > 0:09:04Still to come, double the danger, the risks for these playful pooches
0:09:04 > 0:09:06just keeps on growing.
0:09:06 > 0:09:11The things I was most concerned about has kind of got worse, really, hasn't it?
0:09:11 > 0:09:16And open wide, the chirpy chicks enjoying their morning meal.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19A bit like feeding my kids, got to share it all out fairly.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21OK, OK!
0:09:23 > 0:09:30Whale sightings on the coast of Britain are rare, and sadly it can often mean the animal's in danger.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34On the south coast, experts have spent the last day monitoring
0:09:34 > 0:09:40a northern bottle-nosed whale that has somehow found its way into Chichester harbour.
0:09:40 > 0:09:45The team have spent an anxious night hoping the whale would find its way back out to sea,
0:09:45 > 0:09:50but the morning has brought them the news they were dreading.
0:09:56 > 0:10:04Dawn over the normally picturesque Chichester harbour revealed this harrowing sight for rescuers.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06The whale has beached on the mud flats.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09It's still alive, so now the race is on to save it.
0:10:09 > 0:10:15Could you alert your animal-rescue team that the whale at Hayling Island has stranded?
0:10:15 > 0:10:21Trevor Weeks from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue is in charge of the operation.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25His team have been keeping a close eye on the whale,
0:10:25 > 0:10:28hoping it would swim back out to sea.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31One of our land crews has found the animal.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34It was here all day yesterday,
0:10:34 > 0:10:37and we feared that this morning it was going to strand in the low tide,
0:10:37 > 0:10:39and it has done,
0:10:39 > 0:10:44so we are now mobilising all our crews to get out there and see what we can do to help the poor animal.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48Thankfully, stranded whales are a rare occurrence,
0:10:48 > 0:10:51but Trevor and his team are on standby 24 hours a day
0:10:51 > 0:10:55to respond to marine emergencies, and they practise all the time.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59Yeah, don't worry, I'm just going to come over and assess it first.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01But today is for real.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04You can just about see the whale on top of the mud flats here.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08That's quite worrying, the fact that it's stranded that high up on the mud flats,
0:11:08 > 0:11:11which means this animal probably stranded in the early hours
0:11:11 > 0:11:15of this morning, so it's probably been beached for several hours, which is very worrying indeed.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18So I just hope we can get it off there,
0:11:18 > 0:11:22but the size of this animal is going to make our job very, very difficult.
0:11:22 > 0:11:27If Trevor is going to save the whale, he needs as much information as possible.
0:11:27 > 0:11:33- Has it been lifting its head at all? - It was moving its head up slightly, breathing quite a lot.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37He's briefed by marine medic Steve, who made the discovery.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39And it's on its right-hand side, isn't it?
0:11:39 > 0:11:42Yeah, and around it is about ten inches of water either...
0:11:42 > 0:11:46- Well, I could only see the belly side, but it's about ten... - Tail's on the go at the moment.
0:11:46 > 0:11:51It's alive at the moment - it's moving its head and its tail,
0:11:51 > 0:11:55so we need to get... Oh, dear! Poor thing.
0:11:55 > 0:12:00He may be breathing, but this magnificent mammal is in a life-threatening position.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03If he's not dug out within five hours,
0:12:03 > 0:12:07his organs will be crushed under seven tonnes of his own weight.
0:12:07 > 0:12:13We're parking in the Ship Inn car park, which is the northern end of the Langstone Bridge.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17To make matters worse, the whale is stuck in deep mud and the tide is coming in.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19Yeah, see you shortly. Cheers.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22It's too dangerous for Trevor to get close on his own.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25He's going to need the fire brigade's help.
0:12:25 > 0:12:26Oh...
0:12:26 > 0:12:29This is so frustrating.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32Mud is such a difficult environment for us to work in.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34I just hope she's going to survive.
0:12:34 > 0:12:39A few long minutes later, the fire crews arrive ready to join the rescue.
0:12:39 > 0:12:40Hello, mate.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43- This is Paul Moss. - Hello, Paul. Nice to meet you, Paul.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47Would I be right in saying the first priority would be water on the whale?
0:12:47 > 0:12:51The first priority is to do an assessment and then to get first-aid measures in place.
0:12:51 > 0:12:56So if we did those in parallel, we'd be strike one and two on our way. If we get all the equipment we need
0:12:56 > 0:12:59to pump water from there, with a hose reel all the way out to there,
0:12:59 > 0:13:02- we're going to need plenty of labour.- Yes.- OK with that?
0:13:02 > 0:13:05We'll help wherever we can.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09Every minute matters now. The beached bottlenose has been landlocked since dawn.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11He's severely dehydrated.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14You're looking at three to four hours so we don't have long.
0:13:14 > 0:13:19The whale can breathe because it's a mammal, but its skin is drying out.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22He needs water, and he needs it quickly.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26Fire-fighters set up pumps from a nearby pond and, at last,
0:13:26 > 0:13:31the team can begin the dangerous journey across the mud flats to hose down the whale.
0:13:31 > 0:13:36The conditions are incredibly difficult, but they're determined to get there.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38OK, let's get this going.
0:13:38 > 0:13:43Finally, with the pumps working, the whale gets the water it desperately needs.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45Stage one of the rescue is under way.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49Oh, good, he is covering it, that's good. Well done, mate!
0:13:53 > 0:13:578am, three hours since the team found this beached whale,
0:13:57 > 0:14:00and the second stage of the rescue operation has begun.
0:14:00 > 0:14:04I only really want five British Divers people out here, no more than that.
0:14:04 > 0:14:09But it's slow work. Digging a 25 foot whale out of the mud is going to take time.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11Time that no-one has.
0:14:11 > 0:14:16And now the tide's coming in, and conditions are worsening.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19The ground's virtually impassable.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22There's always one that gets stuck.
0:14:22 > 0:14:27Fire-fighters create a safe path using special mud platforms.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31But then, worryingly, things take a turn for the worse.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33We are in a damn difficult situation here.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37The trench the team have dug is filling with water.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39We need to get this water away from here.
0:14:39 > 0:14:45With the whale lying on its side, that water is starting to block the blowhole the whale uses to breathe.
0:14:45 > 0:14:51Now tragically there's a real chance this seven tonne mammal could drown in just several inches of water.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54- Get some of this water away. - Is that for his blowhole?- Yes.
0:14:54 > 0:15:00The team use buckets and even their bare hands to help the whale in his battle to breathe.
0:15:00 > 0:15:05- That's a bit better. - Meanwhile, Trevor comes back to shore to wait for the vet.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10The problem we've got is that we need to get the water that's around the animal away,
0:15:10 > 0:15:13but at the same time we've got to keep the animal wet by putting water on it,
0:15:13 > 0:15:17so it's a bit of a catch 22 situation.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21Also, at the moment we really need to get a channel dug
0:15:21 > 0:15:24so we stand a chance of getting the animal moving into deep water.
0:15:24 > 0:15:29If we can't get it moved within two hours, the internal organs will be crushed to the point of no return.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32That is our biggest problem at the moment.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34By nine o'clock, a vet's on the scene.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38Richard Edwards is filled in by an anxious Trevor.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41- What's the situation?- A 7.5 metre long northern bottlenose whale.
0:15:41 > 0:15:46- We're extremely worried because she's in the process of drowning. - Drowning?- Yes.- Turned over?
0:15:46 > 0:15:50- She's on her side, the blowhole is going in and out of the water. - Right. OK. Can you dig it out?
0:15:50 > 0:15:56- We are trying to do that.- I'm going to go out there now...- I can't allow you to without a lifejacket on.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59- There should be some lifejackets here though.- I'll go and get my kit.- Yes? Lovely.
0:15:59 > 0:16:06Rescuers are working tirelessly to save the whale but with time against them the outlook is bleak.
0:16:06 > 0:16:11All chances of saving this majestic mammal are slowly slipping away.
0:16:11 > 0:16:16It's a very difficult situation out there and I really don't know how this is going to turn out.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18I really feel for this animal the moment.
0:16:25 > 0:16:30Still to come, high tide and high danger. The epic struggle
0:16:30 > 0:16:32to save a seven tonne whale.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34- Get out of there now, before you're crushed.- Come on.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36Get out mate, now!
0:16:36 > 0:16:42And will Sam realise why her back garden is a danger zone for her pets?
0:16:42 > 0:16:45Think about walking around out there in your bare feet.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48Can I walk around here in my bare feet and not get my feet cut?
0:16:48 > 0:16:50- Yes.- Yes? Right.
0:16:55 > 0:17:00This is Weirfield Wildlife Hospital on the outskirts of Lincoln, where they deal with all kinds of animals
0:17:00 > 0:17:04from our countryside and they're very busy at this time of year.
0:17:04 > 0:17:09So busy in fact that the boss here, Ali Townsend, wants me to go straight in and meet her.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12You never know what's going to be behind the door.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18Weirfield helps all sorts of baby animals back to the wild
0:17:18 > 0:17:21and although they all need round-the-clock care,
0:17:21 > 0:17:24it's the tiny ones that need that little bit extra.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28And I'm here to help with the latest arrivals.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31This lady's brought these baby house martins.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34- Oh, right?- Can you tell me a little bit about them?
0:17:34 > 0:17:37They were nesting in the apex of my house.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41This morning when I found them, the nest was all on the floor and the birds
0:17:41 > 0:17:44were all scattered around on the floor.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47So I thought I'd better ring the RSPCA and they advised me to come here.
0:17:47 > 0:17:53- Right. So have they actually had anything to eat?- No.- Right. And they've been kept fairly warm?- Yes.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55Right, fine. Not a problem at all.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58What would cause a nest to collapse like that?
0:17:58 > 0:18:00Unfortunately house martin nests are made of mud
0:18:00 > 0:18:06and if it gets very, very wet, they'll just turn to slush and drop down.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09Or they get very, very dry and do exactly the same.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12- So they haven't liked our wet summer very much?- No, probably not.
0:18:12 > 0:18:18- I've heard you mention feeding. Is that the priority of the treatment with these little birds?- It is.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22Little and often and as much as we can get down them really.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26They have to be away by the beginning of October, so they've got the energy to fly to Africa.
0:18:27 > 0:18:32'These house martins are going to take up a lot of Ali's time and attention.
0:18:32 > 0:18:38'The priority now is to leave them to settle in before attempting the difficult job of feeding them.
0:18:38 > 0:18:43'In the meantime, there's another group of tiny orphans that need some help.'
0:18:43 > 0:18:46They were quite young when they came in, not even got their eyes open.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49So we're still actually topping them up for milk,
0:18:49 > 0:18:51although this one is trying to eat on his own.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55We've got a syringe with special milk in it. It's already warmed.
0:18:55 > 0:18:59We've got a very, very fine end on the end of your syringe.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02You're going to pick your mice up, or one of them.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04Do you think it's to stop the others getting away?
0:19:04 > 0:19:07Yes, but once they start, look...
0:19:07 > 0:19:10Try and do it so he's downwards, so that you're not choking him.
0:19:10 > 0:19:15If you've got him too far up, he might ingest the milk in to his lungs.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19- How often do you have to do this? - We're feeding these about every hour.
0:19:19 > 0:19:20- Every hour?- Yes.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23I just love his little hands gripping the end of the syringe.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26It's something they learn quickly.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31'With tummies no bigger than a garden pea,
0:19:31 > 0:19:33'these tiny babies are quickly full up
0:19:33 > 0:19:36'and more than ready to have a little sleep.'
0:19:36 > 0:19:38Put these back in to the incubator.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41'Next in the dinner queue are four hungry swallows.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45'Ali's been caring for these birds for a whole month now and they've gone from strength to strength.'
0:19:45 > 0:19:49As with the mice, feeding is the route to recovery?
0:19:49 > 0:19:51Yes, little and often.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55These birds will take as much as you can put in them every 15 minutes.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57All right. Well, I'd better see how it works.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59These are almost ready for release.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01OK? So, these are mealworms.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05- These obviously know that you're going to feed them.- They look keen.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08So, you're going to pick them up and you're just going to feed them.
0:20:08 > 0:20:13While you're doing that, I'm going to get settled the new ones that have come in this morning.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15Just open their mouth and down they go.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19A bit like feeding my kids, I've got to share it all out fairly.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26- OK, Tom. How are you doing? - I think those are four pretty well stuffed birds.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29Jolly good. Do you want to give me a hand over here?
0:20:29 > 0:20:32'The swallows have clearly benefited from regular meals.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36'So now it's time to get the house martins on the road to recovery.'
0:20:36 > 0:20:41These are the four new arrivals that we took in earlier.
0:20:41 > 0:20:46As you can see, compared to the ones that you've been feeding, these are a lot smaller.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48It's still the same principle.
0:20:48 > 0:20:49Just open the mouth very slightly.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52You've just got to put your finger nail in the corner of their mouth.
0:20:52 > 0:20:57- It's like opening an oyster.- Yes. These will probably be fed every 15 minutes.- Every 15 minutes.- Yes.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01That one's full, I would say.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04- Mm-hm.- Do you want to be brave and have a go?
0:21:04 > 0:21:07Yes, it does look quite tricky. I'll pick up a not too big one.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10Do you think that's a bit big for him?
0:21:10 > 0:21:14Just turn the mealworm so it goes down pointy end first.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17I rather messed that one up trying to get the worm in.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20It was like trying to eat corn on the cob sideways.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24That's it. That's them all fed. At least for 15 minutes and they now need to go back in the incubator.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27Every 15 minutes! Amazing, isn't it?
0:21:27 > 0:21:34'As the newly-fed house martins are left to rest and build up their strength, Ali decides it's time
0:21:34 > 0:21:39for a test flight to see if the older group of swallows are strong enough to be released.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43First of all we will try them in the hospital to see if they fly.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45So they just fly up and down here?
0:21:45 > 0:21:48- Yes.- If they do that happily...good to go?- We can release them.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55- Hmm, what do you make of that one? - He's just practising.
0:21:55 > 0:22:00'At first, it seems the swifts might not be ready fly Ali's nest just yet.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02'Then there's no stopping them!'
0:22:05 > 0:22:09Now they're both going. This one came down by the window over here.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12Just send him back to give him a bit more.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17They're certainly flying. Do they look fit enough?
0:22:17 > 0:22:20I think they look fine. I think that went very well, actually.
0:22:20 > 0:22:26- A little bit chaotic, but delivered nonetheless. Hello. Pretty...- You have two and I'll have two.
0:22:26 > 0:22:33'Ali's happy, so it's time to return the four swifts to the skies.'
0:22:33 > 0:22:35- What's the knack here?- Right.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39- We have to do it as fairly flat as you can.- Right?
0:22:39 > 0:22:41Obviously not letting them go too soon.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45- Literally throw them in the air. - Both at once, d'you think? - Do you want to do mine first?
0:22:45 > 0:22:49- Yours first and then mine? - Yes.- OK. Let's fling them up.- Then you can watch it.- OK.- Ready?
0:22:52 > 0:22:54Whoa!
0:22:54 > 0:22:57- OK. Get yours to go as well. - That looks good.
0:22:57 > 0:22:58One, two...
0:23:05 > 0:23:08That's certainly a few weeks' work well done. Don't they look fit?
0:23:08 > 0:23:14- Yes, very good.- Kings of the sky. - Up they go and away.- But it's been incredible amount of work for you.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17It is a lot of work and it is very difficult at times
0:23:17 > 0:23:21to get them over that first initial shock, but when you get to release
0:23:21 > 0:23:24four like today, I mean, that's what is all about.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28That's why we do it and that's why we put as much effort into it.
0:23:31 > 0:23:36And with Ali's round-the-clock care it hopefully won't be too long
0:23:36 > 0:23:39before the mice and house martins are also on their way home.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52Still to come, the whale breaks free,
0:23:52 > 0:23:55but the rescue mission is far from over.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58If it swims off of its own accord, we're then down to an exercise
0:23:58 > 0:24:01to try and guide it back out again. But the problem we've got
0:24:01 > 0:24:04is if it then strays again, we'll have no option but to put it down.
0:24:07 > 0:24:12Now we're back to the story of Sandy, Sally and Titch,
0:24:12 > 0:24:16the three dogs living in a garden that resembled a rubbish tip.
0:24:16 > 0:24:21On RSPCA Inspector Edwina Davison's last visit, she found the dogs
0:24:21 > 0:24:28were playing in an area filled with old furniture and, more worryingly, sharp tins and glass.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32One of the dogs, Sally, was also recovering from a broken leg
0:24:32 > 0:24:36and Edwina was concerned that it wasn't healing properly.
0:24:42 > 0:24:49In Chaddesden, Derbyshire, it's time to find out if Sally, Sandy and Titch have a safer place to play.
0:24:49 > 0:24:54Edwina Davison also asked for one of the dogs, Sally, to have her leg seen by a vet.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58She's hoping all her advice hasn't been ignored.
0:24:58 > 0:24:59Hey up, Sam. Are you all right?
0:24:59 > 0:25:03- How are you doing?- Fine thank you. - Someone's been to the vet then.- Yes. - Come on then.
0:25:03 > 0:25:08Come on then, in you come. Come on then. Come on then, sweeties.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10So far, so good.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14Edwina's pleased to see that Sally has had her leg examined.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17And it seems there was a problem after all. The leg was infected
0:25:17 > 0:25:21and the vet needed to replace the original metal plate.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24It's a good job she went back and had it done really, isn't it?
0:25:24 > 0:25:29Thanks to Edwina's help, Sally's on the mend and there are more changes afoot.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31Sam's decided that three pets aren't enough
0:25:31 > 0:25:34and has added a new addition to the family.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37Right. Is it a little boy or girl?
0:25:37 > 0:25:41Well, we think it's a boy. We've been told it's a boy, but he hasn't got his bits yet.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45- Well, how old is he?- Well, when we got him we got told he was 12 weeks.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49Only about three months then. So, once he gets to six months it would be a good idea to have him neutered.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52That's what we were planning and to have his injections.
0:25:52 > 0:25:56Well, if you like I could give you a neutering voucher for him.
0:25:56 > 0:26:01Things are going really well, but will the back garden be any tidier?
0:26:04 > 0:26:07On first inspection, things look pretty good.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10The bric-a-brac and old furniture has vanished.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16But in fact conditions are worse than ever.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21The garden is still littered with dangerous objects
0:26:21 > 0:26:26and the number of hazardous tin cans has more than doubled.
0:26:26 > 0:26:27- You got rid of the sofa.- Yes.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30We burnt that, we burnt everything...
0:26:30 > 0:26:32So the garden furniture's gone.
0:26:32 > 0:26:39Yes...the things I was most concerned about has kind of got worse really, hasn't it?
0:26:39 > 0:26:42Which is the cans and the sharp staff.
0:26:42 > 0:26:47- Oh, right. Yes.- Yes? I mean, it's better, because they obviously, they like standing on this bit.
0:26:47 > 0:26:53- Yes.- And they're going to run around more up here, which is lovely. There's more space to run around.
0:26:53 > 0:26:59We've started to cut it. All he's got to do is get some more strimming wire, that's all he's run out of.
0:26:59 > 0:27:04Yes. To be honest, from the dogs' point of view, strimming it and cutting back bushes doesn't matter.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07It's just getting rid of the cans and stuff.
0:27:07 > 0:27:11Sam's got a lot more to worry about than an overgrown lawn.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14The conditions these dogs are living in are simply not good enough.
0:27:14 > 0:27:19With so many sharp objects, any of the pets could sustain a nasty injury.
0:27:19 > 0:27:24- Well, it was clear, but it doesn't help with Lee's mates chucking the cans out of the window.- No.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27How much beer does he get through?
0:27:27 > 0:27:30- Believe it or not, he doesn't drink it.- Doesn't he?
0:27:31 > 0:27:35Edwina's keen to stick with Sam and give her a third and final chance.
0:27:35 > 0:27:40I think we're going to need a little bit of another timescale for clearing this lot up.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43- Right. Yes.- Yes? What about the week after next?
0:27:43 > 0:27:49- Yes. That's fine.- Yes? - We've got his mates coming round, so...- Well, there you go then.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51- Lee's got a bit of a hand. - Yes, brilliant.
0:27:51 > 0:27:56Hopefully with the help of her friends the garden will improve.
0:27:56 > 0:28:00Edwina spells out what she expects to see.
0:28:00 > 0:28:05- Anything sharp.- Yes.- Think about it. If you were out there and you're walking around in your bare feet...
0:28:05 > 0:28:08- Yes.- Yes? Right. Because that's what they're doing, isn't it, really?
0:28:08 > 0:28:16- So if you just think, "Can I walk around here in my bare feet and not get my feet cut?" Yes?- Yes.- Right.
0:28:16 > 0:28:21And I'll come back in a couple of weeks and you're going to be able to walk out there with no shoes on.
0:28:21 > 0:28:23- All right?- Yes.- Lovely.
0:28:23 > 0:28:29Although there's still some way to go, Edwina's happy that Sam is at least trying to make things better.
0:28:29 > 0:28:35'I'd really like to think that there will be a change in two weeks and I remain optimistic.
0:28:35 > 0:28:40'However if not, it's something that I'll just have to keep coming back to. So until that time
0:28:40 > 0:28:45'I think it's just going to require a lot of patience and a lot of time, unfortunately.'
0:28:45 > 0:28:47But Edwina can't wait forever.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50If things don't improve, she may decide this garden
0:28:50 > 0:28:54is just too dangerous for Sandy, Sally and Titch to play in.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01- Later...- You're barmy, aren't you?
0:29:01 > 0:29:03Is it a life behind bars for Jodie the hound?
0:29:03 > 0:29:11In all honesty, is she in there sometimes because she is very, very lively? Because she is like this?
0:29:11 > 0:29:13No, no she's not in there because she's lively.
0:29:16 > 0:29:20Back in West Sussex, the rescue team are battling
0:29:20 > 0:29:26to save a northern bottlenose whale thousands of miles from home and stranded in mud flats.
0:29:26 > 0:29:33Blood samples hold the key to knowing whether the whale beached on purpose, or because he was ill,
0:29:33 > 0:29:35or whether he simply got lost.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38Now the vet's arrived to find out.
0:29:43 > 0:29:4710.30am, and things are looking bleak.
0:29:47 > 0:29:51If the team don't save the whale soon, his organs will be damaged forever.
0:29:51 > 0:29:57We've probably got about an hour to an hour-and-a-half left before we hit our large-animal limit.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59- OK.- And then it's basically beyond repair.- OK.
0:29:59 > 0:30:02Time to step up the rescue plans.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05Trevor wants to put inflatable stretchers, called pontoons,
0:30:05 > 0:30:10beneath the bottlenose to get him floating again as the tide comes in around him.
0:30:10 > 0:30:16Well, the water's coming in pretty quickly now, so we've just sent the rescue pontoons out there.
0:30:16 > 0:30:18But this is pretty difficult.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21It's a very dangerous environment they're working out there.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24If the fire brigade pull us out, we're going to have to come out.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27But that water's coming in very rapidly.
0:30:27 > 0:30:32But I'm hoping that because the animal is in soft mud and is relatively stable,
0:30:32 > 0:30:35that we might be able to get this one turned round.
0:30:35 > 0:30:38But it's still a very difficult call at the moment.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42The whale's been covered in a special sheet to prevent
0:30:42 > 0:30:46his skin drying out, and vet Richard Edwards begins taking blood samples.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50These will be rushed to a lab for tests that will tell
0:30:50 > 0:30:54the team whether this whale beached itself because of an illness.
0:30:54 > 0:30:59With the samples taken, the team get the pontoon into position.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02Can we get three straps underneath?
0:31:02 > 0:31:03- Oh, yeah.- Go for it.- Yeah.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06Do it, please. Yes, now. We'll start getting that involved now.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09- That's great.- We'll need at least three straps, possibly four.
0:31:09 > 0:31:15Back onshore, the news of this potential tragedy is spreading fast.
0:31:15 > 0:31:22The media pack have come to Chichester, eager to catch a glimpse of the stricken whale.
0:31:22 > 0:31:27The experts out there don't know why it is 3,000 miles away from where it should be.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30They don't know whether there are any underlying medical problems.
0:31:30 > 0:31:34Along with the locals, they've nicknamed the bottlenose Billy.
0:31:34 > 0:31:36They're all willing him to survive.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39Trevor's next job is to let them know how it's going.
0:31:39 > 0:31:43The vet has just taken some blood samples, which are going off to a laboratory for testing.
0:31:43 > 0:31:45They're on their way now.
0:31:45 > 0:31:49We won't refloat the animal unless we've got those blood results back.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53Do you just have the one chance at high tide?
0:31:53 > 0:31:57Yes, we really only have one chance of getting the animal back and floated in water.
0:31:57 > 0:32:00If this animal strands again, it will not be able to cope with stranding twice.
0:32:00 > 0:32:06- Thank you for the update.- Lovely. Hopefully, we'll know more in an hour's time.- Thank you, Trevor.
0:32:06 > 0:32:07OK.
0:32:07 > 0:32:09Trevor makes his way back out to Billy.
0:32:09 > 0:32:14But with the tide coming in fast, conditions are getting even worse. He takes the difficult decision
0:32:14 > 0:32:19to tell many of the rescuers that they have to head back to the safety of the shore.
0:32:20 > 0:32:22British Divers people,
0:32:22 > 0:32:25if you've not been told to stay,
0:32:25 > 0:32:28can you please make your way back to shore?
0:32:28 > 0:32:31As the remaining crew continue the fight, the others head back
0:32:31 > 0:32:36to dry land, exhausted from their three hour battle in the mud.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39Really, really difficult to deal with, yeah.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42You can't really move around much at all.
0:32:42 > 0:32:44You can't even step off the pontoons at the moment
0:32:44 > 0:32:47so it's really, really tough work.
0:32:47 > 0:32:51It's not just tough, it's also dangerous. But while the water
0:32:51 > 0:32:55may be making things difficult for people, it could be a bonus for Billy.
0:32:55 > 0:32:59With the water coming in, it may well refloat itself.
0:32:59 > 0:33:01But what happens then I don't know.
0:33:01 > 0:33:06If it swims off of its own accord, we're then down to an exercise of trying to guide it back out again.
0:33:06 > 0:33:12But the problem we've got, if it then strands again we'll have no option but to put it down.
0:33:12 > 0:33:15The deeper the water gets, the more treacherous this rescue
0:33:15 > 0:33:19is becoming for the small crew left by the giant mammal's side.
0:33:19 > 0:33:25Then, as Billy begins to move, one of the team finds his own life in danger.
0:33:25 > 0:33:30OK, you in the front, get out of there now, before you're crushed.
0:33:31 > 0:33:33Get out, mate, now!
0:33:33 > 0:33:37- I'm all right.- You're not. Get out. - Now!- Get out.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39Safety has to come first.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42It's no longer sensible to be this close to Billy.
0:33:42 > 0:33:46The teams have to take to their boats.
0:33:49 > 0:33:53At 11.30, Billy's finally free from the mud.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56But will he want to head out to sea?
0:33:58 > 0:34:01Even in the shallow water,
0:34:01 > 0:34:05Billy finds the strength to break clear of the pontoon
0:34:05 > 0:34:08and, at last, he enjoys his first taste of freedom,
0:34:08 > 0:34:12giving the media the shots they've been waiting for.
0:34:16 > 0:34:21TV crews beam the pictures of free Billy to a relieved audience.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24The whale broke free from the pontoon
0:34:24 > 0:34:29and for the last five minutes has been just floating here,
0:34:29 > 0:34:31swimming round in circles.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34But the drama is far from over, as he makes a beeline for the shore,
0:34:34 > 0:34:37trying to beach himself again.
0:34:37 > 0:34:43One of the team bravely heads him off and tries to coax him back out towards deeper water.
0:34:43 > 0:34:48It's just a waiting game now to see if, hopefully, with the tide, as the tide goes out,
0:34:48 > 0:34:53the whale will follow the tide back out into the main channel.
0:34:53 > 0:34:58More canoes join the desperate attempt to get Billy going in the right direction.
0:34:58 > 0:35:02But the way he's behaving suggests something's badly wrong,
0:35:02 > 0:35:05and it's not long until everyone's worst fears are confirmed.
0:35:05 > 0:35:07Billy's blood results are back.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10The blood results are very definitive.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12They show is that the animal has kidney failure,
0:35:12 > 0:35:15which means that the kidneys are not functioning properly.
0:35:15 > 0:35:17There's also some muscle damage.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21What it tells us is that rescuing this whale is not feasible now,
0:35:21 > 0:35:27and all we can do is to humanely euthanise the animal at the earliest opportunity. That's what we'll do.
0:35:27 > 0:35:31OK? Thank you. We will give you another statement when we can.
0:35:31 > 0:35:38It's now clear that Billy beached himself on purpose because he was too ill to be at sea.
0:35:38 > 0:35:43It's a bitter blow for Trevor and his team after their heroic six hour rescue attempt.
0:35:43 > 0:35:48It's not a case of the kidneys are failing, they HAVE failed,
0:35:48 > 0:35:53which is a big problem here, which unfortunately means there is just no turning back.
0:35:53 > 0:35:57So this poor thing is going to have to be put to sleep, which...
0:35:57 > 0:36:02We don't like it, but it's the kindest thing for the animal.
0:36:04 > 0:36:08And sure enough, Billy beached again four hours later.
0:36:08 > 0:36:11The vets finally put an end to his misery.
0:36:18 > 0:36:24Now, earlier in the programme, we met three dogs whose cluttered playground was putting them at risk.
0:36:24 > 0:36:32On two separate visits, RSPCA inspector Edwina Davidson told the owners to clear the dangerous junk.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35Now Edwina's on her way to see if they've finally listened to her advice.
0:36:35 > 0:36:41But first she has to visit a dog who, according to the complaint,
0:36:41 > 0:36:43hasn't got any space to play in at all.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50It's a wet and grey morning in Chaddesden,
0:36:50 > 0:36:54and there's a complaint about a big dog living in a cramped space.
0:36:54 > 0:36:58Edwina Davidson has been told that the dog is being kept in a birdcage.
0:36:58 > 0:37:04But that's not all. The report also said it's a large German shepherd.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07Oh, hi. I'm from the RSPCA. I had a call about a dog.
0:37:07 > 0:37:12I had a concern about him being kept in a cage, in a small cage.
0:37:12 > 0:37:17Yeah, he's in the cage, but he only goes in there because when I walk him
0:37:17 > 0:37:20and come back. I mean, look at today.
0:37:20 > 0:37:24- Yes.- It's wet.- It's not very nice, is it? Yeah.- And if it's wet,
0:37:24 > 0:37:27- she's just put in there.- OK.
0:37:27 > 0:37:32- But other than that, I've been out at half six this morning...- Oh, right.
0:37:32 > 0:37:33..and only just got back with her.
0:37:33 > 0:37:37- What sort of dog is she?- She's a sausage cross German shepherd.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40Oh, right! I'm even more intrigued now to have a look.
0:37:40 > 0:37:45- She won't grow any.- Like a dachshund type cross German shepherd?- Yeah.
0:37:45 > 0:37:49- Right!- She's fantastic. - Oh!- Jodie is her name.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51I'm very curious to see her now.
0:37:51 > 0:37:55With such an odd combination, Edwina's intrigued.
0:37:55 > 0:38:00She's as seen to see what Jodie looks like as she is to see the cage.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04Hello! Hello! Oh, there we are.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08Well, that's not a birdcage, is it?
0:38:08 > 0:38:11Hello, my darling! Aren't you cute?
0:38:11 > 0:38:15And this is what a German shepherd crossed with a sausage dog looks like.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17How long in the day would you say she's in here?
0:38:17 > 0:38:19Two, maybe three hours.
0:38:19 > 0:38:26- While I'm in, she's out.- Right. So while you're in, she's out. OK. So why is she in here at the moment?
0:38:26 > 0:38:31- Like I say, just come in, and she was wet.- Right.
0:38:31 > 0:38:34It's definitely too small for her to be in there for very long.
0:38:34 > 0:38:39- Two hours maximum.- She's never in it.- Yeah.- The only time I put her in is when she's wet.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42Right. Obviously I've come round now and she's dry, so...
0:38:42 > 0:38:45- Yeah, but her feet were wet. - Right, OK.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47You're beautiful, aren't you, baby?
0:38:47 > 0:38:49Yeah!
0:38:49 > 0:38:55Jodie's just nine months old, and as she's let out, it's clear she's full of life.
0:38:55 > 0:38:59Edwina's concerned she's put in the cage because Josephine can't cope.
0:38:59 > 0:39:06In all honesty, is she in there sometimes because she is very, very lively, because she is like this?
0:39:06 > 0:39:08No, she's not in there because she's lively.
0:39:08 > 0:39:11You're barmy, aren't you?
0:39:11 > 0:39:15- I'll show you where she plays. - Let's have a look and see what she's got outside.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18Oh, right. Brilliant. OK.
0:39:18 > 0:39:22Josephine says that Jodie gets plenty of exercise
0:39:22 > 0:39:26and is keen to show off the space she has to play in.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29My only concern is if she's in there for any length of time.
0:39:29 > 0:39:34- No.- Like I say, it's too small for her to be in there for very long.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37I can only take your word for it, OK?
0:39:37 > 0:39:39I swear on my life I look after her.
0:39:39 > 0:39:41Yeah. OK.
0:39:41 > 0:39:46Edwina's satisfied that Jodie is only put in the cage to stop her running around the house
0:39:46 > 0:39:51when she's wet and she has a solution that will suit both owner and pet.
0:39:51 > 0:39:55If you want a bit of peace and quiet for a bit, rather than just shutting her in there,
0:39:55 > 0:39:58you can leave that open, you can just shut her in here,
0:39:58 > 0:40:03- and she can get to her water and her food bowl and she won't knock them over.- That's true.
0:40:03 > 0:40:07- Do you think that would be a better idea?- Oh, yes, definitely.- Yeah?
0:40:07 > 0:40:10Jodie is happy, well cared for and certainly loving.
0:40:10 > 0:40:15Josephine thinks the world of her, and it's a job well done for Edwina.
0:40:19 > 0:40:25Edwina's message may have got through to Josephine, but some jobs take a little more persistence.
0:40:25 > 0:40:31A few streets away, Edwina's back to see if Sally, Sandy and Titch have a safer playground.
0:40:34 > 0:40:36- Hiya, Sam. You all right?- Hello!
0:40:36 > 0:40:38Come to see how the gardening's going.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41- Very good.- Have you got bacon sarnies on the go? Right...
0:40:41 > 0:40:44- How have you got on?- Fine, actually.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46Let's have a look.
0:40:50 > 0:40:51Oh, that's better.
0:40:51 > 0:40:55Edwina's firm but friendly approach has finally paid off.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57How long did it take you?
0:40:57 > 0:41:04- About two hours.- OK. That's not bad. That's much better. Brilliant stuff.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06- I got it all done in one day. - That's great. Yeah?
0:41:06 > 0:41:08Bet you feel better for it. Yeah?
0:41:08 > 0:41:10I do. I can move round in my garden now.
0:41:10 > 0:41:15It's hard to believe that just a few months ago this area resembled a rubbish tip.
0:41:15 > 0:41:19It may not be in line for Britain In Bloom, but there's certainly
0:41:19 > 0:41:20a great improvement.
0:41:20 > 0:41:21That's fantastic.
0:41:21 > 0:41:26Well done. Brilliant. Just keep on top of it, every day getting rid of anything that can hurt them.
0:41:26 > 0:41:31Finally, Sally, Sandy and Titch have a safe space to play,
0:41:31 > 0:41:36and Edwina leaves happy that Sam has finally taken on her advice.
0:41:36 > 0:41:38You can always give me a call if there's any problems.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41- Right, well, stay dry. - Right, OK, then.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44- Good luck.- All right, then. - All right, then. Cheers, Sam.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49Well, I'm glad to see they've cleared up the garden at last.
0:41:49 > 0:41:53It's taken quite a few visits, but it's looking much, much better.
0:41:53 > 0:41:58There's less opportunity for the animals to injure themselves because they run around the garden like mad.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01So that's great. And if they need any assistance in the future
0:42:01 > 0:42:05they can give me a call. I'm pleased. Another job done.
0:42:12 > 0:42:19If you think you know of a case of wildlife crime or a creature that needs immediate attention,
0:42:19 > 0:42:24remember there are dedicated professionals out there who will answer your call around the clock.
0:42:24 > 0:42:28They are the people we meet on Animal 24:7.
0:42:31 > 0:42:35Next time...
0:42:35 > 0:42:38anger management for Snowy the temperamental terrier...
0:42:38 > 0:42:43That saying, "A bark is worse than a bite" but I'm not prepared to shove my hand in and find out.
0:42:43 > 0:42:46..a cliff-hanger rescue for a mountain goat...
0:42:46 > 0:42:50He doesn't seem to be able to get off that ledge, so we've got to do something about it today.
0:42:50 > 0:42:54..and I help build a badger set with a difference.
0:42:54 > 0:42:56They'll be under surveillance.
0:42:56 > 0:43:00Like the Big Brother house, this place is rigged with cameras.
0:43:00 > 0:43:01Hello! Can you see me there?
0:43:20 > 0:43:23Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:23 > 0:43:26E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk