THE RSPCA is continuing to allow Bolton residents to rehome rescue animals during lockdown - albeit virtually.

Prospective adopters can speak to RSPCA staff and meet animals via video conferencing and photo sharing - with pets then delivered by an RSPCA staff member once the level of commitment has been discussed, rehoming agreed, and a suitable pet found.

However, the RSPCA continues to urge people to do their research and ensure they understand the long-term commitment of pet adoption; given "lockdown life is not forever".

Since lockdown started, on March 23, to December 31 the RSPCA’s Find a Pet section of the website had 39,835,657 views compared to 23,681,542 in the same period the previous year.

This is a rise of 68 percent.