The Cornish Pirates helped raise nearly £600 for the Cornwall branch of the RSPCA with a recent matchday collection.

The animal charity attended their last home Championship match against Coventry and collected £583.39.

Emily Bowen from the charity said: “The RSPCA Cornwall branch would like to thank the Cornish Pirates and everyone who donated to us. We were very grateful, and a great day was had by all. 

“As a self-funded, local charity we rely on local support to allow us continue our work in animal welfare, so the generosity shown was much appreciated and enabled us to raise £583-39 to directly support the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of animals throughout Cornwall.” 

Also, representing the RSPCA Cornwall Branch as a mascot on the day was ‘Maverick’, who is the pet dog of Cornish Pirates’ ground staff volunteer and respected RSPCA inspector Paul Kempson. 

Suitably attired in a Cornish Pirates shirt, Maverick led the team out on to the field accompanied on the day by prop forward Marlen Walker. 

Maverick, with his mum and siblings in tow, came to RSPCA Cornwall Branch in June 2021 as a tiny puppy. They arrived from the local inspectorate team who began an investigation into their breeder who was illegally cropping puppies’ ears and breeding. 

Thankfully, Maverick was so young his ears had not been removed, but many of the dogs that came into care had already sadly suffered the painful act, all because the breeder believed he could get more money for earless dogs. 

Many months later, their breeder was found guilty of illegal ear cropping and was sentenced.