AN animal charity has received its highest number of calls in a single month as people enjoying the warm weather reported concerns about birds, cats and rabbits in distress.
The Scottish SPCA said it dealt with 29,650 calls in July, almost two-thirds (64%) more than in the same month last year and a record total for the organisation since it was founded in 1839.
A total of 1193 calls were received in one day alone on July 17 and more than half (53%) of all the reports led to an investigation, while the remainder of callers were given advice by officers.
Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said the rise was partly down to the warm weather "which meant more people were spending longer periods of time outdoors and were more likely to notice animals in distress".
He said: "A large proportion of our calls related to concerns for gull chicks, nestlings and fledglings, while we also received a significant number of reports of animal neglect, abandonment and cruelty.
"Our resources were put under incredible strain, but thanks to the dedication of our helpline staff, inspectors and animal rescue officers we managed to respond to a record-breaking number of calls and incidents."
The charity responded to 11,847 incidents in July, 66% more than in the same month in 2012, and the Scottish SPCA said it was now caring for hundreds of animals while looking for new homes for them.
Mr Flynn added: "Our animal rescue and rehoming centres were also operating close to or at full capacity throughout the month of July, caring for a huge number of unwanted and abandoned cats, kittens and rabbits as well as a great many stray pet birds, snakes and tortoises."
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