RSPCA Cymru have responded to more than 7,000 animal welfare incidents since the country went into lockdown on March 23.

Frontline officers, animal carers and vets have continued to rescue, treat and care for animals in need amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Since March 24, up to August 5, the RSPCA has dealt with 7,272 animal welfare incidents in Wales alone - an average of 54 every single day.

Across England and Wales, the RSPCA has dealt with 106,676 incidents during this lockdown period.

Under the Welsh Government’s definition of critical, or key, workers, the charity’s animal rescuers have continued on the frontline dealing with animals in emergency situations. These new statistics highlight how busy the charity has been despite the lockdown restrictions in force.

Officers have also had to adjust their working practices amid the coronavirus outbreak, implementing new procedures and protocols to ensure safety, meaning animals in need could still be reached.

Meanwhile, rescue pets in the care of the RSPCA could be rehomed again under specialist Covid-19 procedures, following the publication of guidance from the Animal Welfare Network for Wales.

However, the global pandemic has had a major impact on the charity's finances - and the RSPCA's emergency fundraising appeal continues, in the hope supporters can provide funding that will allow vital animal rescue work to continue.

Dermot Murphy, Chief Inspectorate Officer, said: “We’ve had to quickly and drastically change the way we work during these unprecedented times, from the way we rehome animals to the PPE we wear when responding to calls.

“But the priority for us during lockdown has been to continue to be there for those animals who need us - while also helping people who have been hit hard by the pandemic.

“Now, more than four months into lockdown, we’ve passed a milestone - having responded to more than 100,000 incidents across England and Wales, including more than 7,000 in Wales.

“Our staff are as busy as ever collecting abandoned animals, investigating complaints of cruelty, providing life-saving veterinary treatment to the sick and injured, and finding wonderful new homes for our residents.

“But to continue our vital work and to survive the huge impact this pandemic has had on the economy and, therefore, the charity sector, we really need your help. Please donate whatever you can spare at www.rspca.org.uk/covid.”