OCTOBER 4 is World Animal Day.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has been looking out for animals since 1824. 

It is a unique animal welfare charity, and was the first which managed to introduce a law to protect animals and now works hard to ensure all animals can live free from pain and suffering. 

It has three mottos:

· Speak up. Through its campaigns it raises standards of care and awareness of issues and rely on support to help push for law changes and improving the welfare of animals on farms, in labs, the wild, paddocks or our homes. 

· Stand up. Through investigations and prosecutions it stands up to those who deliberately harm animals to send out a clear message - they will not tolerate animal abuse. Highly trained officers tackle neglect and cruelty on every level working to stamp out large-scale serious, organised and commercial animal cruelty.

· Be counted. Animals can rely on the charity for rescue when they need them most. To rehabilitate them wherever possible, provide them with the very best veterinary care and to find them new homes, either through rehoming or release.

Check out rspca.org.uk if looking to rehome a pet or, if under the age of 18, and want to get involved see the young people section of the website.

Basingstoke & Andover Branch is a branch of the RSPCA raising money locally to support animal welfare work in the Basingstoke and Andover areas. It is run by a committee of locally elected volunteers who are responsible for the management and administration of branch’s affairs.

You can follow the branch via Facebook to get regular updates on our animals and events or call 01256 353209.

The local RSPCA Charity shop is located at 6 London Street, Basingstoke, RG21 7NU, and always welcomes donations.