The RSPCA has released details of the more eccentric calls made to the charity over the course of 2011.

Doubtless members of VetSurgeon.org and VetNurse.co.uk will empathise with the RSPCA over some of these, but do you have any better examples? If so, please email them to support@vetsurgeon.org.

• A caller rang to complain that a neighbour's power shower caused their dog to go to the toilet.
• A concerned resident who thought gulls were in their area were radioactive - it turned out that nearby garden lights were illuminating them and turning them green.
• —A lady phoned in to complain that the blackbird in her garden didn't sing.
• —The RSPCA had a call from someone who wanted to complain about someone else's dirty house. An odd call to the RSPCA because there were no animals involved.
• —One caller rang to cancel a visit as their dead tortoise had 'come back to life'.
• —Another caller rang in concerned about the talking meerkats on the Compare the Market advertisement.
• —A caller requested the RSPCA to come and get their dog down the stairs as it was too heavy for them to carry.
• —One caller rang concerned about a hedgehog on their path. She tried to move it to shelter but was not able to pick up the creature because its suction pad was too firmly attached to the floor.
• —Someone asked if they could get advice on microchipping...their guitar.
• —Finally an inspector was called out to deal with a report of improper killing of ferrets dumped in a bag. On arrival the inspector found a fake mink shawl.

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