Get litter picking to help protect wild animals and pets, says RSPCA

The RSPCA is urging people to join a litter pick this month, as the charity reveals that foxes, deer and hedgehogs are the mammals most at risk from the nation’s litter menace.

The call comes as Keep Britain Tidy’s ‘Great British Spring Clean’ kicks off this week (Friday, March 21 to Sunday, April 6), and the RSPCA has released new data revealing that it received a shocking 2,199 reports about animals affected by litter last year.

There were more reports about foxes (160), deer (48) and hedgehogs (31) impacted by litter than any other mammals in 2024.

Amongst wild birds, reports about pigeons came top (516), followed by swans (445) and gulls (383).

The nationwide litter-pick comes as an RSPCA survey* of animal lovers and supporters cites the effects litter has on animals as top of their list of concerns about the potential problems carelessly discarded rubbish creates.

Three-quarters (74 per cent) of those respondents identified harm to animals as their leading concern.

The RSPCA’s frontline rescuers, volunteers, vets and rehab centres are seeing the consequences of carelessly discarded litter on our wildlife – including a duck caught in a plastic drinks holder; a fox caught in an old clothes drying rack; a crow entangled in a polythene bag; a seal with old netting cutting into the flesh of her neck; and a swan caught up in old fishing line.

The 10 counties with the biggest litter problems affecting animals, based on reports to the RSPCA last year, are: Greater London (263), Greater Manchester (95), West Midlands (87), Lancashire (81), Devon (77), Kent (70), Hampshire (60), Cornwall and Essex (joint 56), Merseyside (55) and Somerset (54).

The RSPCA’s anti-litter campaign manager Carrie Stones said: “It’s distressing to see how our native wildlife is being affected by litter, and we urge everyone to join the Great British Spring Clean litter pickto help protect animals.

“Our rescuers deal with so many avoidable incidents every year where animals have been impacted by litter.

“Old drinks cans and bottles, plastic items and even disposable vapes are just some of the items that pose a danger to our wildlife – including, more than any other mammals, foxes, deer and hedgehogs.

“Animals can ingest the litter or become entangled, leading to injuries, mutilations and even death.

“Sadly, for every animal we’re able to help there are probably many others that go unseen, unreported and some of our fellow living creatures may even be losing their lives.

“But the public can help us protect animals, and avoid these incidents happening in the first place.”

Carrie added: “Spring is an ideal time to go on a litter-pick because it falls before the breeding season when young animals such as fox cubs are at risk of getting into trouble – though please be mindful of nest-building birds.

“At this time, litter in hedges will be more visible to pickers before the vegetation really starts growing.

“That’s why we’re calling on the public to get involved in the Great British Spring Cleanto help remove litter that may endanger animals.

“But it’s also really easy for the public to help at all times of the year.

“When people are out and about, we urge them to hold on to their litter until there is an opportunity to dispose of it safely and responsibly – or recycle where appropriate.

“As we all strive to create a better world for every animal, this could save an animal’s life.“

As well as everyday rubbish, the RSPCA also sees many animals arriving into its care with terrible injuries caused by angling litter such as discarded fishing line, hooks and plastic netting.

Around 34pc (751) of all litter-related calls to the RSPCA last year were about animals that had specifically become caught in fishing litter.

The RSPCA says a majority of anglers are careful when fishing – but a small number are letting the community down by not disposing of their waste properly and leaving animals in danger.

Carrie added: “The majority of anglers do dispose of their litter properly but it is frustrating that some don’t realise how dangerous it is to animals.

“Discarded line in particular is a terrible hazard for wildlife, particularly as it can be almost invisible.

“We strongly urge those who enjoy fishing to be extra cautious to make sure nothing is left behind.

“It only takes one piece of snagged line to be left in a tree or dropped near the water to endanger the life of an animal.

“We ask anglers to follow the Angling Trust Anglers Against Litter campaignand make use of recycling schemesto dispose of their waste tackle.”

The RSPCA is also warning that discarded biodegradable food litter also poses dangers – putting many animals at risk of road traffic collisions.

To get help for a small sick or injured animal as quickly as possible, the RSPCA’s advice isto take it to a vet.

There is more information online.