After the results of last night’s popular Britain’s Got Talent television show, we know that we are indeed a nation of dog lovers! And here at the Oakeley Arms we’re no different; we love our animals of all shapes and sizes, which is why we’re celebrating RSPCA Week 2015.

The special week, which runs from the 1st to the 7th June was created to raise awareness of the RSPCA and the work that it does. The RSPCA is the oldest and largest animal welfare charity in the world, and its areas of work include rescuing abandoned and stray animals and working to re-home them, campaigning for new animal welfare laws as well as investigating and prosecuting against cases of animal abuse.

Image by Minita on freeimages.com

The RSPCA was founded almost 200 years ago in 1824 by a group of reformers led by an MP called William Wilberforce (who also led the movement to abolish the slave trade) and a Reverend, Arthur Broome, in London. It was the first animal welfare charity in the world and in it’s first year of operation it brought 63 offenders of animal cruelty to the courts. In 1840 it was awarded Royal status by Queen Victoria.

Since it’s inception, the RSPCA has been responsible for lobbying parliament to adopt animal welfare laws, many of which were the forerunners of laws that are still in place today, such as the Cruelty to Animals Act 1835 and more recently, the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

So, during this special RSPCA Week 2015, the RSPCA are calling on all of its supporters to help spread the word about the tireless work that the charity does, all of which would not be possible without the generous support of the public. You can get involved by organising a fundraising event, signing up for the Best.Walk.Ever with your favourite pooch or volunteering at your local RSPCA re-homing centre.

You can find out more information by clicking here. And if you do pop along to your local centre for RSPCA Week 2015 then we challenge you to not leave with an adorable new pet! And if you’ve already got an adorable pet at home then why not treat him or her to some extra cuddles this week to celebrate RSPCA Week 2015 and remind yourself how lucky you are to have such a fantastic pet in your life!!

Image by Minita on freeimages.com