Sir – In our so-called animal-loving society, even though most people are responsible pet owners, every day there are fresh cases of cruelty reported where animals are being kept in dreadful conditions, ill-treated, or abandoned. They cannot speak, so we must act on their behalf.

The present economic climate has made matters worse, as people are made homeless or can no longer afford to keep their pets. As a result, all animal charities are struggling to keep up with the demand on their services and are facing an increasing workload.

The local branch of the RSPCA is no exception. Many may be unaware that we are not funded by the RSPCA National Society but must constantly find ways of financing our activities.

This we try to do through our charity shop in Banbury, collection boxes, ‘tin-rattles’ and fund-raisers. We also hold regular microchipping events which offer pet-chipping at a subsidised price while raising funds for the branch, so everyone wins. We have an excellent fostering unit for cats and small furries at Willow Farm, in Chilton, where sick and injured animals are nursed back to health and found new homes. These animals depend on us for our survival; but our vets’ fees alone cost us a great deal.

Right now, we urgently need reliable volunteers to join our small and dedicated team to help us carry out our programme of projects this autumn — perhaps even ultimately becoming a trustee.

Whatever your particular skills or age group, if you can regularly spare a few hours of your time, or are retired and looking for a rewarding pastime, we would like to hear from you. Please contact us on 01865 761239, or come along to our next meeting (Tuesday, November 16, Woodstock Methodist Church Hall, 7pm) or our Christmas Fair (Saturday, December 4, 1pm-5pm), at St Anthony of Padua Church Hall, 115 Headley Way, Headington.

Katherine Morris, RSPCA Oxfordshire Branch, Woodstock