SINCE the UK's first lockdown one year ago, the RSPCA has dealt with 2,487 incidents in Cheshire.

Across the north west, this figure totals 16,319.

The charity has had to adapt the way it works to comply with lockdown rules and social distancing, but has continued to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome animals during the pandemic.

Chief executive Chris Sherwood said: "The last year has been incredibly difficult for individuals, for families, for businesses, for charities and for animals.

"But I’m incredibly proud of the work the RSPCA has managed to do during this challenging year.

"We’ve had to adapt how we work, change our procedures, review our practices, and all while we continue our vital everyday work rescuing, rehabilitating, rehoming and releasing animals, and investigating animal cruelty."

Since March 23, the RSPCA has been busy answering emergency calls, rescuing animals in urgent need, investigating reports of animal cruelty and neglect, taking in abandoned animals, and rehoming rehabilitated animals to wonderful new families.

Across England and Wales, the charity received 958,352 calls to the hotline, dealt with 253,714 urgent incidents and took 23,228 animals into care.

Chris added: "Over the past 12 months, we’ve demonstrated our commitment to animals and shown that, despite the hardships we face, we will always be there for the animals who need us.

"But the pandemic has hit us hard - we’ve had to change how we work, suspend door-to-door fundraising and cancel fundraising events.

"The charity sector has been hit hard by the pandemic so we’re asking the public to get behind us, to donate, and to help us continue our vital work.

"Together we can make this a better world for animals."