Brighton RSPCA holds open day today

The RSPCA is holding an open day at its Patcham centre today (Sunday 15 July).

The public will be able to see the kennels, watch a dog show and learn about the charity’s work from 10.30am to 4pm.

Staff have been appealing for cat food to feed the many cats being looked after at its Braypool Lane premises. And homes are wanted for cats, dogs, rabbits and ferrets – and even a snake.

The open day is being held six weeks after Latest reported how the Brighton and Hove branch of the charity helped find homes for 9,000 laying hens which were destined for the slaughterhouse.

The RSPCA worked with other groups to rescue the hens which – at 18 months – are deemed too old to meet supermarket standards for egg quality.

Jenny Wells, the manager at Patcham, said: “We just want to thank all the readers for helping us place all the 9,000 chickens that needed somewhere to go.

“That’s the first time we’ve managed to place them all.”

The rescue operation in May is due to repeated next month (August), she said, with the hens capable of laying eggs for years.

Entry to the open day costs £3 a car and £1 for people on foot.