Springwatch presenter Chris Packham named new president of the RSPCA

Renowned naturalist Chris Packham is the new president of the RSPCA and has revealed how Britain is “at one of the most criticial times” for animals for over 200 years.

The Springwatch presenter who lives in the New Forest announced his new role at the RHS Chelsea Flower show when he was showing off the RSPCA garden to TV viewers this week.

Chris, 62, who has been vice president of the charity for almost 15 years has pledged to help create a better world for animals.

He said: “I am immensely proud to take on the role of president of the RSPCA, the world’s oldest and largest animal charity. This honour comes at a historic moment as the charity counts down to its 200th birthday next year in 2024. I see this time as one of the most critical times for animals in the last 200 years.

“We are at a pivotal moment for animal welfare, and the decisions we make will have huge repercussions for animals all over the world. Everywhere we look there are human issues that are affecting animals and it’s imperative that we make change, for the better.

“Every decision we make, on every scale, affects the world around us. Letting sewage pour into our rivers, where we decide to build our houses, decisions we make on how we power the country - all of these things threaten our wildlife.

“The cost of living crisis is already having far-reaching and devastating effects on families, and it is, in turn, impacting our pets too, with increases in abandonments and neglect, people struggling to pay for vet care and even to feed their animals.”

Chris said the world is “living through uncertain times” adding that “seismic shocks have undermined our own sense of security and wellbeing”.

He added: “During times of social and economic stability, that is when animals can suffer and when charities like the RSPCA are needed more than ever.

“We’ve seen the pandemic take its toll, with more animals coming into RSPCA care and rehoming slowing as cost-of-living pressures bite. There has been a 25% rise in abandoned animals year on year as people are struggling to look after their pets and incidents of neglect have increased by 13%.”

He also acknowledged that the government was also struggling with crisis and that “animal welfare can take a back seat for politicians and policymakers.”

But he said to do that “would be a huge mistake”.

He added: “Animal welfare is central to many of the big challenges facing governments and society, not just here but around the world, now and in the future. The time to act is now and we all need to take steps to help the animals around us.”