MORE than 6,000 animals in Cheshire have found loving homes over a decade thanks to the efforts of the RSPCA.

To mark its upcoming 200th birthday in 2024, the animal welfare charity has released its latest rehoming figures for the 10 years up to the end of 2022.

The figures show new homes have been found for 6,743 animals, while 10,266 microchips have been provided to help reunite pets with their owners.

These homes have been found thanks to the charity's independent branches in the county - RSPCA Cheshire (Altrincham), RSPCA Crewe, Nantwich and District, RSPCA Macclesfield, SE Cheshire & Buxton, RSPCA Warrington, Halton & St Helens, RSPCA Wirral and Chester and RSPCA Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre.

Now the charity wants to inspire a one million-strong movement for animals, as the RSPCA aims to 'create a better world for every animal'.

Dermot Murphy, RSPCA inspectorate commissioner, said: “We have even more animals in need of help coming into our care - but at the same time rehoming has been declining sharply, meaning thousands fewer rescue pets are being adopted and our branches and centres are full to bursting.

“We are also faced with increased bills and less donations due to the cost of living crisis which is one of the biggest challenges facing animal welfare right now - and this economic hardship is continuing into our 200th anniversary year.

“But we are determined to rise to the challenge and help animals and pet owners who need us more than ever. That’s why we’re currently asking supporters to join the winter rescue by donating to help our rescue teams reach the thousands of animals who desperately need them.

“Animals are now facing bigger challenges than ever as a result of factory farming, climate change, war and a cost of living crisis. In our 200th year we want to inspire one million people to join our movement to improve animals' lives.

“We’ve been changing industries, laws, minds, and animals' lives for 200 years. Together, there are actions, big and small, we can take to create a better world for every animal.”

Nationally the charity has rehomed 405,839 pets in need since 2013 thanks to its network of 140 branches and animal centres across England and Wales - which equates to 111 animals every day.

Many will have endured horrendous suffering but with the care of dedicated staff and volunteers they will be helped to recover before they are found loving homes.

The charity has come a long way since 1824 - when its founding members met in a coffee shop in London determined to change animals’ lives, creating the then SPCA and sparking an animal welfare movement that spread around the world.

Today Cheshire is served by a team of RSPCA rescuers who save animals and investigate cruelty while also offering welfare advice and help to pet owners in need.

Throughout their history, local RSPCA teams have helped thousands more animals in the county and are determined to carry on their amazing work as the charity marks a new chapter - at a time when animals are facing bigger challenges than ever with the cost–of-living crisis.

Animal neglect and abandonment is sadly at a three-year high. In 2023, the RSPCA received 72,050 reports about animal abandonment and neglect - higher than in 2022, 2021 and 2020.

To find out how you can join our million-strong movement for animals visit rspca.org.uk/200.

The charity is also asking supporters to join the winter rescue and make a donation to help rescue teams reach the thousands of animals who desperately need them.