ANIMAL rights campaigners are celebrating rehoming over 17,000 animals across Wales in the last 10 years.

RSPCA Cymru revealed that it has found new homes for 17,669 animals in a decade as the organisation celebrates its 200th birthday today.

Across Wales, the organisation has a team of dedicated rescuers who save animals and investigate cruelty. 

RSPCA inspectorate commissioner Dermot Murphy said: “We have even more animals in need of help coming into our care and our branches and centres are full to bursting.

“We are also faced with increased bills and less donations due to the cost-of-living crisis which is one of the biggest challenges facing animal welfare right now — and this economic hardship is continuing into our 200th anniversary year.”

Wales is home to 11 independent RSPCA branches which rehabilitate and rehome rescued animals, ranging from cats and dogs to hamsters and guinea pigs.

The organisation also supported pet owners in Wales by helping neuter 40,041 animals and microchip 24,944 to help reunite lost pets with their owners.