The RSPCA is coming
Detail:
For over than 180 years, the RSPCA has been taking in abandoned animals. But with falling membership and the need to save more than £50 million in the next three years (the RSPCA had an income of £119m in 2008), the charity has announced that its 17 national centres will stop taking in unwanted pets brought in by owners. This will mean thousands of animals will be rejected at RSPCA centres – 75,000 animals are re-homed every year.
The RSPCA has another 41 regional centres that are independent and can decide for themselves whether to follow suit.
The national centres will, however, take in animals abandoned anonymously, and prioritise on cases of neglect or cruelty. Owners bringing in unwanted animals will be directed to another charity or given advice on how to look after the animal.
RSPCA head of Inspectorate Tim Wass said the RSPCA has been ‘the dustbin for society’s animals’ and that all centres were currently full and the charity had a duty to concentrate on animals suffering cruelty and neglect. They hoped the move would teach owners to take more responsibility for their pets.
Needless to say, criticisms have swiftly followed.
I personally do not see how this move is going to ‘teach owners to take more responsibility for their pets’. What I see happening is that independent RSPCA centres and rescue charities that still take in unwanted pets are going to be overwhelmed – which many are, already. And we are going to see a sharp rise in the number of abandoned animals and strays on our streets, from cats and dogs to small mammals and reptiles.
Let’s face it, not everyone who gives up an animal surrenders it because its coat did not match the couch or it barked too much. There are many, many owners who are forced to surrender their pets because of factors way beyond their control, such as losing a job, getting divorced or, in the case of the elderly, moving into a care home that does not accept pets. The RSPCA admits that since the recession started, the number of abandoned animals has risen by 57 per cent.
So what is the UK’s eighth largest charity going to do with donors’ money instead? Well, it will focus more on legal cases – in 2008, it investigated more than 140,000 cases and spent £11m on prosecutions, up from £7m in 2007.
The topic of RSPCA and prosecutions makes many see red. RSPCA inspectors are not police officers, have no special rights or statutory powers and are ordinary civilians. Just like you and me.
But the RSPCA was established back in 1824 with the primary aim of publicising and enforcing the Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act 1822. It’s a case of getting back to its roots, what with the establishment of the Animal Welfare Act of 2006. And new Codes of Practice for welfare of dogs, cats, horses and primates came into force on April 6 this year, which can be used in courts as evidence in cases relating to poor welfare.
The implications for retailers selling livestock is clear. You have to be on top of your game, complying with every aspect of the Animal Welfare Act. And make sure that when you sell livestock, you vet each potential customer thoroughly, as well as provide care information.
The RSPCA is coming.
The RSPCA has another 41 regional centres that are independent and can decide for themselves whether to follow suit.
The national centres will, however, take in animals abandoned anonymously, and prioritise on cases of neglect or cruelty. Owners bringing in unwanted animals will be directed to another charity or given advice on how to look after the animal.
RSPCA head of Inspectorate Tim Wass said the RSPCA has been ‘the dustbin for society’s animals’ and that all centres were currently full and the charity had a duty to concentrate on animals suffering cruelty and neglect. They hoped the move would teach owners to take more responsibility for their pets.
Needless to say, criticisms have swiftly followed.
I personally do not see how this move is going to ‘teach owners to take more responsibility for their pets’. What I see happening is that independent RSPCA centres and rescue charities that still take in unwanted pets are going to be overwhelmed – which many are, already. And we are going to see a sharp rise in the number of abandoned animals and strays on our streets, from cats and dogs to small mammals and reptiles.
Let’s face it, not everyone who gives up an animal surrenders it because its coat did not match the couch or it barked too much. There are many, many owners who are forced to surrender their pets because of factors way beyond their control, such as losing a job, getting divorced or, in the case of the elderly, moving into a care home that does not accept pets. The RSPCA admits that since the recession started, the number of abandoned animals has risen by 57 per cent.
So what is the UK’s eighth largest charity going to do with donors’ money instead? Well, it will focus more on legal cases – in 2008, it investigated more than 140,000 cases and spent £11m on prosecutions, up from £7m in 2007.
The topic of RSPCA and prosecutions makes many see red. RSPCA inspectors are not police officers, have no special rights or statutory powers and are ordinary civilians. Just like you and me.
But the RSPCA was established back in 1824 with the primary aim of publicising and enforcing the Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act 1822. It’s a case of getting back to its roots, what with the establishment of the Animal Welfare Act of 2006. And new Codes of Practice for welfare of dogs, cats, horses and primates came into force on April 6 this year, which can be used in courts as evidence in cases relating to poor welfare.
The implications for retailers selling livestock is clear. You have to be on top of your game, complying with every aspect of the Animal Welfare Act. And make sure that when you sell livestock, you vet each potential customer thoroughly, as well as provide care information.
The RSPCA is coming.
By:
Sandra
Date/time :
22/04/2010
Replies to this topic...
By:
roadiepete
Date/time :
29/06/2010 08:43:41
Detail:
I totally agree the RSPCA is The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in what ever shape or form. They the Hierarchy at the RSPCA seem to have over looked this as the reason for their organisation and have now become an large commercial concern, choosing to overlook their original purpose , which millions of unaware public donate to as a charity.
I would suggest that all monies received by the charity are given directly to the self funding RSPCA centres as it is these centres that are carrying out the true reason for this charity
I would suggest that all monies received by the charity are given directly to the self funding RSPCA centres as it is these centres that are carrying out the true reason for this charity
