In Somerset, the RSPCA has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to animal welfare by rescuing numerous animals in distress throughout 2025, including a remarkable rescue involving an owl trapped in a slurry pit and a hedgehog suffering from severe spine injuries.
In October, a concerned member of the public discovered an owl trapped in a slurry pit. The owl, though unharmed physically, was cold and exhausted. A local vet was called to assess its condition before the bird was transferred to the RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre in Taunton. There, the owl was carefully warmed and fed. The following day, staff cleaned the owl’s contaminated feathers, ensuring it was ready for release. After resting in an outdoor aviary, the owl was successfully released back into the wild eight days later by RSPCA Inspector Dean Wilkins.
Earlier in the year, during the summer, a hedgehog suffering from an injury caused by a strimmer was found by a member of the public. The hedgehog had lost many of its spines and was infested with ticks. It was brought to the RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre where veterinary specialists and carers provided intensive treatment, nursing it back to full health before releasing it back into its natural environment.
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The RSPCA reports that its website received over 634,000 visits in 2025 from people reporting animal welfare concerns, including 7,279 visits during the busy Christmas period from December 24 to 29. As the charity prepares for an expected increase in winter incidents, it has launched the urgent fundraising campaign, The Big Give Back to Animals, to support its frontline rescuers and care teams.
RSPCA superintendent Simon Osborne emphasized the vital work being done daily: “Our teams rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome hundreds of animals every day, each with their own story of resilience. The RSPCA has been a pillar of animal protection for over 200 years, but we rely on support from animal lovers everywhere. If you care about animals, now is the time to act. Join The Big Give Back to Animals and help us provide the care and protection these animals so desperately need.”