SSPCA launches outdoor ads to drive awareness
The Scottish SPCA has launched a new outdoor campaign to promote its Animal Helpline number.
Running until the end of the charity's Scottish Animal Week, from 7-13 September, the campaign also highlights the abuse and neglect many animals in Scotland continue to suffer.
Chief Executive Stuart Earley said, "Our aim is to build upon recent successes and further increase our public awareness levels.
"At the start of the year research indicated that only 18 percent of the Scottish public would have called our charity if they knew of an animal in distress in Scotland, compared to 70 percent who would have called the RSPCA.
"This gap has closed significantly, with 38 percent now knowing to contact our Animal Helpline, while 53 percent would call the RSPCA by mistake.
"With an increased media profile and a more memorable Animal Helpline number in 03000 999 999, the calls we receive have leapt dramatically, with 20 percent increases recorded in both 2008 and the first half of this year. Yet we know there is a lot more to do, starting with this campaign featuring Annie, who was neglected by her owner and arrived at one of our animal rescue and rehoming centres in a terrible state before being
found a loving new home.
"Our campaign stretches throughout Scotland and reaches into communities where cruelty to animals is most prevalent."