The RSPCA has revealed that hedgehogs are the wildlife most likely to need help this summer in London – as the animal welfare charity launches a new ‘Local Animal Hero’ guide to mobilise local residents to help sick and injured animals.

New findings from the RSPCA’s new 2025 Animal Kindness Index, the charity’s annual survey into the UK’s attitude towards animals, shows that 59% of people in the London region don’t feel confident about what to do if they find sick or injured wildlife.

In response, the animal welfare charity is calling on people across the county to be a Local Animal Hero. Their new training video, featuring RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Emma Baker, aims to teach local residents how to help small wild animals and pets in need and create their own rescue box.

While many animals need specialist support, there are lots of small wildlife and pets which people can safely help. Of these, hedgehogs were the wild animals most likely to need public help across England and Wales – with 9,546 entering RSPCA centres in 2024, followed by wood pigeons (6,521), mallard ducks (3,806), feral pigeons (2,909) and blackbirds (1,782). The charity said that while they cared for more than 47,000 animals last year, often people don’t realise the fastest way to get many small animals help is to take them to a local vet themselves.

RSPCA supporter ornithologist and environmentalist, Dr Mya-Rose Craig, has joined the call for people in London to take the first step to learning how they can help wildlife in need in their neighbourhood.

She said: “The RSPCA’s Animal Kindness Index shows that while many people in London want to do their bit, many would struggle to know what to do if they came across an animal in need. By learning to become a Local Animal Hero, anyone can find out what to do if they find a sick or injured animal who needs help. Learning how to safely handle small wildlife or pets and building a rescue box to keep in your car can make a big difference for animals.

“No matter where in the country you are, there are so many different animals that share our environment – and it’s up to us to help make sure that they are living their best lives this summer too. By doing a kind act this summer, we can all help to create a better world for every animal.”

Last year, more than 10,000 animals were admitted to the RSPCA’s four wildlife centres – with more than a quarter of those in June and July alone. Reasons included animals being orphaned, injured, attacked by another animal or collisions with vehicles.

And with June and July also being the busiest months for the RSPCA dealing with cruelty and neglect calls too, help from the public frees up the charity’s frontline officers to help even more animals.

It comes as 57% of London people say that protecting wildlife is the most important issue the animal welfare charity should be dealing with – while more than nine in 10 people say that wildlife needs to be protected in our towns and cities, as well as in the countryside.

Gemma Hope, the RSPCA’s Assistant Director for Policy, Advocacy and Evidence, explained that the Animal Kindness Index results show a rise in concern about wildlife this year.

She said: “This year’s Animal Kindness Index shows high levels of concern for the future of wildlife.

“When the world is uncertain and volatile, people may feel protective over the world around them, including the animals that share their neighbourhood – and 63% of people in the region thought that human survival depends on protecting the survival of wildlife.”

The RSPCA’s calls come as the charity expresses concern at the impact the UK Government’s planning reforms – under its Planning and Infrastructure Bill – could have for animals, including free-living wildlife.

Gemma added: “The UK Government’s proposed changes to planning laws in England could play a worrying part in this too – because if it goes ahead unchanged, it could spell disaster for wildlife.

“While the UK Government claims it will streamline development and enhance nature, we are worried it could potentially weaken environmental protections and lead to habitat destruction, and it is clearly a cause for concern – given more than half (59%) of those surveyed in London think the UK Government should be responsible for animal welfare.

“The RSPCA is committed to creating a kinder world for every animal, but we can’t do it without help from the public – so we really hope our new video inspires people to get involved and become Local Animal Heroes.”

Take a kind act for animals this summer and learn how to be a Local Animal Hero. Visit rspca.org.uk/rescuebox to watch the video and sign up to get your Animal Hero badge.