AN ANIMAL charity is set to celebrate its 200th birthday amid its busiest week of the year.

The RSPCA is set to mark its 200th anniversary, with the charity using the occasion to issue a rallying call to the people of Dorset to join a movement for animals.

Last year, across England and Wales, the charity took 31,947 calls to its emergency line during its birthday week, more than any other week of the entire year.

A total of 67 of the incidents that week were in Dorset.

Now, the charity is urging people to join its million-strong movement to help animals facing "some of the biggest threats in our history"—including the cost-of-living crisis, the growth of intensive farming, and climate change.

Chris Sherwood, RSPCA chief executive, said: "Our dedicated rescue teams are so busy on the frontline for animals, and - as we celebrate our landmark 200th anniversary this week - we're expecting to be as busy as ever.

"Our birthday week was the busiest week of the year last year - and we're proud that, working with the public, we're continuing to help animals in Dorset and across the country.

"But we know we can't do this alone - and the support of our friends in the animal welfare sector and the public is set to be more important than ever as we all look to work together to create a kinder, better world for all animals."

Earlier this year, the RSPCA investigated after a beloved family pet cat died after being shot with an air weapon in Dorset.

Ten-month-old cat Aura lost her life after being shot in Lockyers Way, Lytchett Matravers, in February this year.

"I can only imagine how devastated Aura's owners must be feeling right now.  It's heartbreaking to lose a much-loved family pet, but under these horrifically cruel circumstances, so much worse," said RSPCA Animal Welfare Officer Jo Blackburn at the time."

In the 200 years since its formation, the RSPCA has worked to change industries, laws, minds, and animals' lives - and believes working with the public and education will be key with animals now facing a raft of new challenges.

The charity has launched a new tool on its website to help people understand how to help an animal in need as quickly as possible.

To find out more about how you can join the RSPCA's million-strong movement for animals, visit www.rspca.org.uk/200.