Revealed: Activists' plot to 'rescue' more than 100 animals from RSPCA assured farms - with Animal Rising hoping to 'mobilise and train' over 200 people

Animal rights activists plan to steal more than 100 animals from RSPCA Assured farms this summer, a Daily Mail investigation has found.

Campaigners from the group Animal Rising hope to 'mobilise and train' more than 200 volunteers to take part in the 'huge open rescue' at undisclosed locations.

On June 11, more than 110 people took part in a Zoom meeting where ringleaders revealed they were organising secret in-person training across the country to teach activists how to break into farms and take animals.

But the RSPCA has warned that these sort of 'divisive stunts' may 'distress' the animals and potentially 'spread disease'.

Last month two Animal Rising activists defaced the King's first official portrait with a Wallace and Gromit-inspired poster.

The group also has a long history of stealing animals from farms. In May 2023, three of its supporters snatched three lambs from the King's Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. 

Last year Animal Rising planned to sabotage the Grand National by getting hundreds of supporters to run on to the Aintree track to halt the race.

The plot was foiled by an undercover reporter for The Mail on Sunday who alerted police, leading to the arrest of dozens of activists. In the end, the race was delayed for just 15 minutes.

Responding to the latest plot, Mo Metcalf-Fisher from campaigning group the Countryside Alliance said: 'These stunts actually risk threatening the welfare of livestock. We hope the authorities take immediate and robust action to tackle this criminality.'

An RSPCA spokesman said: 'Trespassing on farms and taking animals risks causing fear and distress to animals and potentially spreading disease to animals on farms and beyond.'

Animal Rising has said it takes extensive biosecurity safety measures during all their open rescues. Spokesman Rose Patterson said: 'Later this year Animal Rising will be rescuing dozens of animals, allowing them to live their lives free and happy in sanctuaries – away from the horrors of an RSPCA factory farm.

'It doesn't have to be like this.We want the RSPCA to join us in rescuing animals – but for now, they're continuing to participate in their suffering.'