Nottingham firm's cutting-edge tech is the cat’s whiskers in crackdown on animal cruelty

Developed by Nottingham-based investigative technology firm, Altia, software known as Capture is transforming the speed, accuracy, and cost-efficiency of nationwide animal abuse investigations, helping the RSPCA rescue teams to get to the animals who need them most.

Capture streamlines data collection and securely centralises evidence, helping the charity to address reports of animal abuse with greater effectiveness.

As calls to the charity topped more than 907,700 last year, the RSPCA’s 330-person frontline Inspectorate team is now able to work faster and more securely than ever.

The Capture software platform provides a complete overhaul of more traditional data-gathering methods of paper logbooks, digital cameras, and handwritten notes.

Upgrading this essential system means officers can spend more time on the road, work more efficiently, and get to the animals that need them most.

Capture moves this process online, combining all these functions into one secure platform. It allows officers to upload real-time observations, photos, and recordings, to create a seamless evidentiary trail that’s court-ready and fully compliant.

Founded in 1824, the RSPCA is the world’s oldest animal welfare organisation. With a mission to rescue animals from harm, it has become a leading voice advocating for stronger protections for animals across laws, industries, and public opinion. The demand for its services, however, continues to grow, as cases of animal neglect and organised animal crime rise.

Capture’s revolutionary technology meets this demand by bringing efficiency and agility to the front lines.

The app, which is accessible via a mobile device, includes audio transcription, photo storage, and GPS location tagging.

Instead of manually transcribing interviews, officers now record and transcribe directly within the app, reducing the time spent on documentation and boosting accuracy. Each entry, tagged with time and location, instantly uploads to a central, secure database accessible to both field officers and HQ staff.

This enables RSPCA frontline workers to respond more effectively to unfolding cases, with real-time data providing immediate insights and updates.

The software’s impact is already substantial. By eliminating the need for paper notebooks and digital cameras, the charity estimates it has saved thousands of hours and a significant amount of money.

Grainne Casey, Head of Special Operations Unit at the RSPCA spokesperson said: “Throughout its 200 year history, the RSPCA has been at the forefront of animal welfare, but like many other charities, we're under incredible pressure and only have limited resources.

“It's vital that our frontline animal rescuers carry out a full and thorough investigation when following up on reports of animal cruelty or neglect, and Capture has played a vital role to streamline that work. The technology effectively reduces the time that our officers spend on admin processes which helps us to investigate alleged cruelty more efficiently and reduce costs.

“Most importantly, it helps us get to more animals that need us most.”

Rob Sinclair, CEO of Altia, said: “The RSPCA’s work is absolutely vital and Capture supports them by allowing them to focus on their work, safe in the knowledge that they can gather all the necessary evidence needed to take action during a case.

“At Altia, our ambition is to support organisations looking to do good with the latest and most innovative software solutions. As the RSPCA continues to lead in animal protection, this state-of-the-art software will ensure that no stone is left unturned in the pursuit of justice for abused and neglected animals across the country.”

Headquartered in Nottingham, Altia specialises in innovative solutions for digital intelligence and investigation, leveraging advanced technologies while providing software tools and services to law enforcement, government, regulatory bodies, and corporate entities to support their investigations.

For more information, visit: www.altiaintel.com.