Sheep, dogs, cats and even a snake are among the animals rescued by RNLI lifeboat crews.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) was founded in 1824. Since then, the charity has saved over 144,000 lives.
Although the RNLI exists primarily to save the lives of people at sea, the charity’s lifeboat crews do sometimes rescue animals in danger on or near water, to prevent owners or other members of the public from getting into danger by trying to carry out a rescue themselves.
In 2022, 209 animals were rescued by the RNLI. Over the years, the charity’s lifeboat crews have rescued animals including cattle, deer, dogs, dolphins, sheep, cats, horses, birds, seals – and even a rabbit and a snake.
Did you know, horses have also played an important role in RNLI history? They were used to help launch lifeboats in many locations until 1936.