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Walk on the Wild Side

Five Minutes With William Lamping

Meet William Lamping, an Inspector with the RSPCA's Field Investigation Unit. William is passionate about using intelligence to disrupt organised animal cruelty and bring offenders to justice, acting as a voice for animals who are victims of these crimes.

What motivates you to get up for work?

I enjoy the investigative side of what we do, using intelligence to disrupt organised animal cruelty and bring potential offenders to court. I feel we get to act as the voice of the animals who are the victims in these crimes, and help to protect more animals from coming to harm.

What’s your favourite part of working here? 

The shared passion for animal welfare amongst the entire RSPCA. It is not easy work, but together we’re making a difference for animals in the modern world. I’m proud to be a part of that.

Can you tell us about your most memorable rescue? 

There are so many! One was an investigation into a wildlife persecution ring that involved going through hundreds of hours of phone footage. The sheer amount of cruelty was awful but it was very rewarding to get convictions on the perpetrators and see them banned from animals. 

The second is a simple stray cat collection where we were able to find the owner who had the foresight to implant a microchip. The cat had been missing for over a year and when I turned up the owner was in floods of tears and gave me the tightest hug I have ever received. The cat just went over to his food bowl and ate like nothing had happened!

How can members of the public help wildlife?

Putting out seed and nest boxes is a fantastic way to increase the wildlife in your own garden. Leaving small sections wild or creating a small pond will also help by bringing in insects that bigger creatures love to feed on. Taking injured wildlife to a vet is always a massive help, but it’s worth pausing to consider if young wildlife need rescuing – many fledgling birds will be fine if left to their own devices. If you really catch the bug, consider becoming an Animal Rescue Volunteer and you can join my colleagues in the field who pick up sick and injured animals.

The RSPCA was founded in 1824. What moment in time, in the last 200 years, would you have liked to work for the RSPCA and why? 

I’m in awe of the work of the inspectors doing the job during WW2. The sheer number of animals needing help must have been overwhelming given the amount of destruction in cities, displacement of people and animals left without owners. Yet they somehow managed to continue rehoming animals and responding even in areas with active bombs with many receiving medals for bravery. I think if anyone needed an extra pair of hands it would be those guys.

Join Walk on the Wild side

Ready for a new challenge?

This September, take the RSPCA’s Walk on the Wild Side, enjoy time out in nature and raise money to make the world a better place for animals. Sign up to receive your free 200th anniversary pin badge, and to get access to our new podcast series about UK wildlife. Our wildlife is wonderful–and it’s up to us to keep it that way.