Rescue & Investigate
Find out more about the vital work our Animal Rescue Officers, Inspectors and Special Investigations Officers do to prevent animal cruelty.
It’s in everyone’s best interests to ensure people and pets stay together, receiving help when needed, support when wanted and early intervention when necessary. It is our aim to achieve this in the communities we serve and in people’s homes. However, when an animal is mistreated, exposed to deliberate or unintended acts of cruelty and neglect, our team is there to intervene.
Rescue. Protect. Lead.
In Scotland, the Scottish SPCA is the only animal welfare charity with enforcement authority and therefore our work goes beyond the rescue.
Our frontline roles of Inspectors, Special Investigations Officers and Animal Rescue Officers allow us to be thorough in our fight against animal neglect and abuse across Scotland and in rescuing animals when they need us the most.
Animal Rescue Officer
Our Animal rescue Officers are there to provide a responsive, caring and compassionate service when responding to animal rescue calls as directed by our Animal Helpline Team.
Responding to a wide range of calls such as sick or injured birds and small mammals to abandoned seal pups, our Animal Rescue Officers are often the first face to face point of contact for members of the public who have concerns for a sick or injured wild or domestic animal. They assess situations, take the appropriate action in the best interests of the animals welfare and transport animals to welfare facilities. Working with many different types of animals, no day ever looks the same!
Inspector
Our Inspectors investigate reports of animal cruelty and neglect as well as supporting people who need help to look after their animals, playing a crucial role in protecting animals throughout Scotland. They are authorised to enforce the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, which means we can report cases of suspected animal cruelty and neglect to the Crown Office where necessary.
Dealing with a wide range of animal welfare concerns, our Inspectors collaborate with police, local authorities and veterinary surgeons and many other external agencies. Helping people and pets to stay together where appropriate is a primary role of our Inspectors and they offer advice, guidance and support to ensure the welfare of all animals they encounter.
Special Investigations Officer
The Scottish SPCA’s Special Investigations Officers tackle serious, organised and protracted welfare crimes involving animals such as the illegal and illicit puppy trade, animal fighting with dogs and badgers, and tackling new trends like fertility clinics and ear cropping.
They operate as a small specialist team that work internally and with external agencies to gather evidence and intelligence. These specialist officers will report and prepare criminal cases to the crown and give evidence in court.
Report animal related crimeIf you have a concern about a potential serious, organised or protracted welfare crime, please complete our form.
Animals are our priority, and we take every report seriously. We urge you to include as much information as possible to allow SIU Officers to treat your report with the utmost importance.
Please note, if you wish to report an animal in need of immediate help, please contact us via our helpline instead.
Support us from £5 a month
It costs us £63,000 every day to continue the work that animals across Scotland depend on. Our work is only possible because of the generosity of people like you.
