AN ANIMAL welfare charity has experienced an "exceptionally busy year" for animal rescues across Wales.

New figures released by RSPCA Cymru, in the same week the organisation marked its 194th birthday, reveal the charity rescued nearly 23 animals each day in Wales during 2017.

The data, launched on Thursday, in the RSPCA's Annual Summary for Wales, shows inspectorate rescued 8,220 animals including pets, farm animals and wildlife in 2017.

There were more rescues over the year than in both 2016 and 2015, marking a 7.6% increase on the previous year.

Rescues included 4,919 wild animals, including hundreds of Manx Shearwater birds rescued in West Wales following storms.

Other included the breaking up of a three-tonne boulder to save a seal in Port Talbot, and a kitten was rescued after becoming wedged between two Neath walls.

Data also shows the emphasis placed by RSPCA Cymru on utilising non-statutory welfare and improvement notices to prevent animal suffering, and improve standards, across the country.

These offer advice to people on observing good practice in caring for an animal - with their prevalence in 2017 - with 6,678 issued in Wales - highlighting that for the RSPCA, "prevention and education is always the priority".

Key findings and statistics contained within the summary for 2017 show the charity rescued and collected 8,220 animals, investigated 10,176 complaints of cruelty, implemented 6,678 welfare and improvement notices, to prevent animal suffering, rehomed over 2,100 animals, neutered 7,745 cats via the All-Wales Scheme, delivered teacher training with the potential to reach 42,000 children, obtained an estimated 747 media mentions for animal welfare work and garnered over 36,000 supporter actions for animal welfare campaigns.

Martyn Hubbard, RSPCA Cymru superintendent, said: "2017 marked an exceptionally busy year for the RSPCA in Wales.

“As we celebrate the charity's 194th birthday this RSPCA Week, we can reflect on, over the last twelve months, the rescue of 8,220 animals, the issuance of 6,678 welfare and improvement notices, the rehoming of over 2,100 animals, and so, so much more.

"The work of the RSPCA’s inspectorate is invaluable, tireless and never-ending - reflected by the fact that, across Wales, we rescued on average 23 animals every single day - despite having only a small band of officers to call upon.

“Again, welfare and improvement notices have proven central to the inspectorate’s work dwarfing the number of prosecutions we take; emphasising how prevention and education is always the priority for the RSPCA.

“But the RSPCA's animal welfare work covers so many different areas, and is so diverse - from the frontline, to campaign events, the classroom, our television screens, radios, and elsewhere.

“The RSPCA is proud to be at the forefront for animals. RSPCA Week is a great time to highlight this work, and celebrate what our inspectorate, animal centres, external relations staff, independent branches and others do - along with the public to help animals in need, and deliver a caring Wales where all animals are respected and treated with compassion.”