Following Storm Dennis, the animal welfare charity’s specialist water rescue team and its frontline officers worked round-the-clock to assess and rescue as many animals as possible.
One of the water rescue teams was called to a flooded field beside the River Wey in Guildford on 17th February, after locals raised concerns about a pony who was struggling to stay on dry ground.
RSPCA animal welfare officer Carl Hone was team leader on the scene. He said: “We believe the young mare, had been trapped on a very small wooded area of higher ground, between the A3 and the river, for a day or two as the flood water around her had continued to rise and forced her further and further into the undergrowth.
“When we arrived we waded across the water - which was extremely deep in places - and could see that she’d been there for some time as she’d eaten the bark off all of the trees in the vicinity. We managed to carry some hay over for her and she devoured it; she was clearly hungry.”
Equine officer Rebecca Carter and floods officer Nick Wheelhouse swam over to secure the pony and quickly assessed that the water level was continuing to rise and that the cold, wet pony needed removing immediately.
“As the light was fading and the water was rising we had to act quickly so we decided the best option to rescue the pony quickly was a tethered swim,” Carl added. “We put a guide line across the water and attached it to the pony’s head collar. We ensured it was quick-release in case anything happened as we didn’t want the pony to get tangled in the line.
“Thankfully, the pony was young and active and easily managed the short swim across the deepest section before finding her footing on the ground our side of the flood water. We covered her with a makeshift rug (an old sleeping bag!) to help dry her off and warm her up before transporting her to a boarding yard nearby.”
The pony is settling in well at the yard where staff have named her Jemima Puddle Duck. RSPCA officers left a note for the pony’s owners but if she isn’t claimed after 14 days then she’ll move to an RSPCA rehoming centre.
In less than 24 hours, an emergency fundraiser online has raised more than £1,400 from generous members of the public who were inspired by the brave efforts of the RSPCA’s rescue teams during Storm Dennis. To donate please visit www.rspca.org.uk/floodappeal.
Never put your own life in danger to attempt an animal rescue. Stay informed by calling floodline on 0845 988 1188. If you see an animal outside that looks like it’s suffering or in danger, take a note of the location, time and date, and call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.