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 21 March-6 April), 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%) 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 ten 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 & 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 pick to 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.”
Litter case studies
West Midlands: A duck on Walsall Canal was left struggling to eat after a plastic six-pack beer can holder got caught around her neck and beak. She was finding it hard to swallow and RSPCA rescuers were concerned she would starve to death or snag the plastic ring on something and then drown. She was rescued and taken to the charity’s Newbrook Hospital in Birmingham.
Essex: A fox who became entangled in a discarded clothes drying rack in a Romford back garden was rescued by the RSPCA after a householder spotted the fox. The animal was trapped by the wire at the top of a chest-high pile of rubble and rubbish believed to have been left behind by some builders. He was taken to South Essex Wildlife Hospital to be treated.
Norfolk: Orca, a 120kg (265lb) seal, was rescued by Friends of Horsey Seals and taken to RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre for treatment. She was entangled in thin fishing net, and it was stuck around her neck, cutting deep into her skin causing multiple ligature wounds. Thankfully, she continued to improve with treatment and was released back into the wild.
Greater Manchester: A swan found entangled in old fishing line by a lake at Rabbit Rocks, Wigan was rescued by the RSPCA. It was wrapped many times around his neck and into his mouth. He could hardly move and couldn’t feed properly. Leaving him in that condition would most likely have proved fatal. RSPCA rescuers were able to gently restrain him and unwind the line from his neck and mouth. Luckily he had no injuries, so was released immediately back into the wild.
Swansea: A crow was rescued after becoming caught on a Swansea aerial due to a plastic bag that was wrapped around its left leg. When trying to escape he became even more entangled. The RSPCA contacted Mid and West Fire & Rescue Service crew who helped to rescue him. His left leg had a wound, but he was thankfully in a good body condition and after receiving treatment and fluids, the crow was released back into the wild.
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 Clean to 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 34% (751) of all litter-related calls to the RSPCA last year were about animals that had specifically become caught in fishing litter.
Carrie continued:
“Old fishing lines can cut deep into the flesh of water birds like swans, geese and ducks, affecting circulation and causing wounds to become seriously infected. We even see birds that have swallowed barbed fishing hooks. These hazards can very quickly become a matter of life or death for them and action is urgently needed to tackle this problem head-on. It’s up to every one of us to do our bit in the war against 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 campaign and make use of recycling schemes to dispose of their waste tackle.”
To get help for a small sick or injured animal as quickly as possible, the RSPCA’s advice is to take it to a vet. There is more information online. Every time a wild animal is helped by the public it frees up our vital specialist rescuers to reach animals suffering heartbreaking cruelty and neglect, a job no other charity does.
