The RSPCA say that they are having to attend more than 20 incidents a day in Kent amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Since the Government lockdown was announced on Monday March 23, the charity has dealt with a total of 614 incidents across the county.

The organisation and its officers - who are designated key workers amid the pandemic - have received 66,000 calls across the UK since the beginning of lockdown.

Included among the incidents across Kent in the last month is a gull that had to be rescued from a chimney breast in Whitstable.

In Rochester last week, officers appealed for information after rabbits were found dead on a grass verge.

It is understood that on top of emergency calls, officers are collecting and caring for pets of people hospitalised with Covid-19 when there is nobody else to care for them.

However, many of the national animal centres are inundated with guests - the RSPCA Leybourne animal centre near Maidstone currently has 110 animals in their care.

"The coronavirus crisis hasn't put a stop to animal suffering"

The information was released as part of the charity's appeal for donations while it faces a funding shortfall amid the coronavirus crisis.

Dermot Murphy, chief inspectorate officer, said: “Despite the lockdown, there are still thousands of animals which need our help.

“As designated key workers, our frontline rescuers are still out and about rescuing animals in urgent need of care.

"The coronavirus crisis hasn't put a stop to animal suffering and these figures show there are still many animals out there that need rescuing.

"Our resources are under huge strain and vital funding is needed to keep our rescue teams out on the road.

“We know that this is a difficult time for everyone but we must still be here for animals who are suffering and we are appealing for animal lovers to give whatever they can to help us.”

To donate to the RSPCA's coronavirus appeal you can visit here.

Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.

Read more: All the latest news from Kent