Tissues at the ready! Heartbreaking RSPCA Christmas ad tells story of neglected 'puppy'
PICK up the tissues and shed a tear over this Christmas’s most heart-wrenching advert about the plight Woody the abandoned puppy.
The heartbreaking story follows the tragic dumping and merciful rescue of the cute yellow Labrador.
It follows Woody from his arrival as a present on Christmas day, playing with his young owner only to be left discarded with rubbish in a cold, dark alley.
Luckily, Woody is rescued off the streets by a caring RSPCA inspector, treated by the charity’s vets and finally found a warm, loving forever home.
Viewers will see that Woody is only toy but his plight is one suffered by thousands of all too real lost, unwanted and discarded pets, particularly during the festive period when as many as 19,000 animals will be taken in by the charity.
Related articles
RSPCA
The RSPCA is bracing itself for 2,000 calls a day in coming weeks and has launched its Kindness at Christmas Appeal to help it care for abused, neglected and sick animals.
Part of its fund-raising is the release of the Christmas video soundtrack – the Simply Red classic Stars, performed by Lucy Ellie Cooper, a member of the charity’s staff.
For the charity’s team who appeared in the video, Woody’s tale from gift to rubbish bags is an all too common experience.
Part of the advert was filmed at the RSPCA Birmingham Animal Centre, where manager Deborah Caffull says living dogs like Woody arrive all the time.
“While this video shows the tale of a toy dog, the sentiment behind the story is very real,” she explained.
RSPCA
“We rescue, rehabilitate and rehome dogs just like Woody every day, all year round.
“It was lovely to show all the different aspects of the work we do, from the inspector rescuing the dog, to him being treated by vets, looked after by our canine carers and volunteers before being rehomed.
“This time of year is very busy for us as an animal rescue charity and everyone pulls together to help the animals that come into our care, and this video really shows that.”
A three-strong RSPCA team produced the advert with members of staff showing how they all play a part in rescuing, caring and rehabilitating discarded pets.
RSPCA
RSPCA broadcast manager Alan Laxton said: “It was great to be able to reflect the work of the staff at the RSPCA and also the story of so many dogs, and other animals that come into our care.
“Staff gave up their own time to help us with the filming and while this story is of a toy dog – with a twist at the end – this story is played out every day across the RSPCA, but for real.
“We take in the most cruelly treated and neglected animals from across England and Wales and work hard to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome them.”
Proceeds from the single are being donated to the RSPCA.
Lucy Ellie Cooper, who works at the charity, said: “This was a lovely opportunity for me to combine my two loves: animals and music.
GETTY
“Outside of my job at the RSPCA I am a country music singer and songwriter, so when the chance came up to record such a fantastic and well-known song for the charity’s Christmas video, I jumped at it.
“I really hope people will take Woody’s story into their hearts and support the RSPCA this winter.”
• To help the RSPCA to continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care, and to support the charity’s Kindness at Christmas campaign, please visit www.rspca.org.uk/winterappeal
• A copy of the song Stars (a cover of the Simply Red hit) sung by Lucy Ellie can be downloaded from Amazon MP3, Google Music Store, Apple iTunes and Spotify.The song is also recognised by Shazam.
