STAFF and volunteers at a Frankley animal centre have starring roles in a Christmas video to raise awareness of what the charity does during the busiest time of year.
The tear-jerking video tells the tale of Woody the Christmas pup who is thrown out with the rubbish before being rescued and taken in for care by RSPCA Birmingham Animal Centre.
The film features an acoustic cover of the Simply Red song Stars, written by Mick Hucknall, with the song performed by up and coming singer Lucy Ellie.
Deborah Caffull, manager at the centre, said: “While this video shows the tale of a toy dog, the sentiment behind the story is very real.
“We rescue, rehabilitate and rehome dogs just like Woody every day, all year round.
“It was lovely to show all the different aspects of the work we do, from the inspector rescuing the dog, to him being treated by vets, looked after by our canine carers and volunteers before being rehomed.
“This time of year is very busy for us as an animal rescue charity and everyone pulls together to help the animals that come into our care and this video really shows that.”
The RSPCA is braced for 2,000 calls a day this festive season as it launches its Kindness at Christmas Appeal to help care for abused, neglected and sick animals.
Alan Laxton, Broadcast manager at the RSPCA, said: “It was great to be able to reflect the work of the staff at the RSPCA and also the story of so many dogs – and other animals that come into our care.
“Staff gave up their own time to help us with the filming and while this story is of a toy dog – with a twist at the end – this story is played out every day across the RSPCA, but for real.
“We take in the most cruelly treated and neglected animals from across England and Wales and work hard to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome them.”
Visit www.rspca.org.uk/winterappeal to help the RSPCA to continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care and to support the charity’s ‘kindness’ campaign.
