Channel 7’s emotional observational series RSPCA Animal Rescue returns with all-new episodes from July 9.

The documentary series follows the tough daily assignments and high-pressure work faced by the RSPCA’s inspectorate and veterinary staff – the men and women who work tirelessly to fight animal cruelty across Australia.

In these all-new episodes, again presented and narrated by Anthony Field, aka “the blue Wiggle”, the cameras capture some amazing stories in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, including a mass animal rescue in a flooded town, a cat caught in a fan belt and the first time inspectors have heard a koala yell.

It’s a fierce and sometimes emotional journey for the inspectors as they confront cases of horror and heartbreak during their job to rescue the lost, neglected, abandoned and abused animals of Australia – a country with one of the greatest pet populations per capita in the world.

The first series of RSPCA Animal Rescue premiered on Channel Seven last year and went on to become the top rating new program of 2007 and the seventh most watched series of the year, with an average national audience of 1.709 million viewers. The second season, which aired 10 episodes from February, continued to be a favourite with viewers, averaging 1.52 million viewers to be the No 4 regular program while on air.

Each year more than 130,000 animals are given shelter at one of the many branches of the RSPCA across Australia. Many are rescued by the inspectors, some surrendered, and others are brought to their clinics by one of the many Animal Ambulances that support the main branch offices.

RSPCA Animal Rescue gives the viewer a close-up look at the work and care the RSPCA give to animals. It’s a sometimes high drama environment where frontline staff make life and death decisions, occasionally risking their own safety for the life of an animal.

RSPCA Animal Rescue airs Wednesdays at 7.30pm on Channel 7 from July 9.