Today (8 May 2026) marks Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday, and what better way to celebrate a century of passion for the natural world than by doing something kind for the animals around us?
Sir David has spent more than seven decades bringing the wonders of nature into our living rooms, from the earliest Zoo Quest episodes in the 1950s to his most recent BBC series, Secret Garden. His work has inspired millions of people around the world to care about wildlife, conservation and the future of our planet.
To mark this landmark birthday, the RSPCA is inviting people across England and Wales to take part in its Summer of Kindness campaign, which encourages everyone to complete seven simple acts of kindness for animals over the coming months.
Seven simple ways to help animals this summer
These are small, practical things anyone can do, whether you have a garden, a balcony or just a windowsill:
- Plant nectar-rich flowers such as lavender, sunflowers or wildflowers to support pollinators
- Make a bee drinking station by filling a shallow dish with water and pebbles so bees can land safely
- Leave out food for hedgehogs using specialist hedgehog food or meat-based cat biscuits (never bread or milk)
- Help pets stay safe in the heat by keeping dogs cool, never leaving animals in hot cars and providing plenty of fresh water
- Organise or join a litter pick in your local area to remove hazards that harm wildlife
- Create a basic rescue box with a towel-lined, ventilated box, ready in case you find injured small wildlife
- Leave a wild patch in your garden by letting a section of grass grow long to give insects, frogs and small mammals a place to shelter
Why this matters locally
Summer is one of the busiest periods for animal welfare. Last year alone, the RSPCA received over 34,000 cruelty calls to its emergency line during the summer months, a rise of a third on the previous year. Here in Oxfordshire and Reading, we see the impact first-hand through the animals that come into our care.
As a self-funded local charity, RSPCA Oxfordshire & Reading relies entirely on the generosity of our community to keep helping animals in need. Every small act of kindness, whether it is planting flowers for bees or checking on a neighbour’s pet during a heatwave, helps build a better world for the animals we share our area with.
Get involved
You can find out more about the RSPCA’s Summer of Kindness campaign and sign up as a Wildlife Friend at rspca.org.uk/foreverykind.
If you would like to support RSPCA Oxfordshire & Reading directly, visit our donations page or contact us to find out about volunteering opportunities in your area.
