Animal Rescue

Firefighters will rescue animals when they are trapped or where the people may be in danger.

Two firefighters holding a Swan. — Two firefighters holding a swan after a rescue.

What to do if there is an animal in need of rescue?

If you discover an animal an animal in distress, we would always advise contacting the RSPCA in the first instance unless there is an immediate threat to life.

The RSPCA have a direct line to us and, if they need support, will contact the Animal Rescue Unit.

If there is an immediate threat to life, or you are unable to contact the RSPCA, please call 999 and ask for the Fire and Rescue Service.

A black horse stood next to a firefighter with a red helmet. — An RBFRS firefighter with a horse after a rescue.

Larger Animals

The Animal Rescue Unit are sometimes called to rescue larger animals such as horses and cows, that get into difficulty around the county.

The rescue of larger animals will sometimes require support from the Service’s Heavy Rescue Unit, however, the team prefer to avoid mechanical lifting whenever possible.

Our Animal Rescue Unit

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Animal Rescue Unit was set up in 2010 under the National Best Practice guidance of the Animal Rescue Practitioners Forum.

A red van with fire service branding driving down a country lane — The Animal Rescue Unit’s van.

It is based at Caversham Road Fire Station and merged with the Water Rescue Unit based at the Station in May 2014.

The team’s members are specialists in rescue techniques and maintain a large focus on the understanding of animal behaviour.