Unlike the National Canine Defence League and Cats Protection who never
destroy a healthy animal, The RSPCA is NOT a no-kill organisation. They
routinely euthanaise companion animals. The trainees have to euthanaise
those that are on "death row" and who are being pulled because their
time is up.

Helen M

Unlike the National Canine Defence League and Cats Protection who never
destroy a healthy animal, The RSPCA is NOT a no-kill organisation. They
routinely euthanaise companion animals. The trainees have to euthanaise
those that are on "death row" and who are being pulled because their
time is up.

Helen M

Thank god for that.

Tweed

That doesn't sound flaky to me.

I htik you made the correct decision. There is the argument that you can try
to change the organisation form the inside, but an inspector won't have the
clout to do it. On the other hand.... working undercover to expose the bad
side... but that's a whole different ball game.

Another thought. How about working with a vet that has links to animal
shelters? Would that be a starter?

Cheers, helen s

I'm glad that you made a decision, Helen.  I don't think I could work there,
either.

kili

Well, I didn't read the OP in time to offer advice, but I agree with
your decision. Since I've been reading this group I've had 4 cats -
two strays - Spotty and Little Bit, Rocky - feral who, after a long
time, decided to adopt me, and Sammy, Little Bit's daughter who was
born in the closet while I was looking for LB's previous owners. With
the exception of Sammy, all might have been PTS by the RSPCA, and
since LB was a skinny pregnant cat no one wanted when I let her
inside, and Sammy might never have been born. No matter how much good
the organization does in other ways, I could never put myself in the
postion where I would be required to PTS healthy animals who have made
me such loved companions.

I think you've made the right decision Helen.

Love

Jeanette

ditto - as much as it pains me to say so, these organizations, and the
people who work there, are needed. But, as I said in my earlier post,
I could never work for such an organization. That doesn't mean I'm
condemning someone who does this work, just that I couldn't do it
myself.

A couple of things (well more actually) wind me up about the RSPCA.  A
friend of mine has just paid £65 for a cat from them, they wanted £85
for a kitten.  I can see the logic of that in some ways, and they've
done a home check etc so I suppose they have to meet their overheads
(although they have a MASSIVE bank account by all accounts), but I
don't think they should charge so much to adopt an animal, £65 is a
lot of money for people on low income that could still give an animal a
good home.  Another thing that annoys me is the "Royal" part of it,
when the Royals are hardly advocates for preventing "cruelty to
animals" when they are part of the hunting fraternity.  The RS refuse
to come out against hunting because they get so much money for having
the "R" at the start of their name.

At the end of the day, the people that work there are mostly fine, but
the organisation itself is just like any other big corporation, their
main objective is to make money and NOT animal welfare.

People should be made more aware in this country not to take abandoned
or stray animals to the RS, they get more than any other rescue centre
because they are so well known (cheers Rolf!) - but they have more
money to advertise than a no-kill shelter.  A friend of mine took a cat
to see a vet there and didn't realise how much money they would charge,
not much less than a private vet.

I took Otis to the Blue Cross when I was unemployed and they were
amazing, I actually preferred them to my private vet but can't go there
anymore as I'm working, and I think it would be morally wrong for me to
do so.  They were so caring, and didn't do unneccessary procedures for
cash, but looked after him - even when they thought he was a goner
after falling off a 2nd floor balcony (some 14 years ago), they
operated on him (and neutered him for free while he was under the
knife) and nursed him back to health, even allowing me in every evening
to hand feed him as he was refusing food from them.  And they work on a
"give whatever you can afford" basis but still manage to give excellent
care.

Rant over

Marcia

But it *would* be her job.
I would like to get one thing clear.  The RSPCA present themselves as animal
police, give themselves a high profile and rake money in from donations.
They are a charity, and have no more right to prosecute than I have except
via a private prosecution which is open to anyone.
They have no right at all to enter your property and decide whether you are
looking after your animals properly.  You are perfectly at liberty to tell
them to "remove themselves.."  I would recommend it, I have no time for them
at all.  Various reasons, all bad experiences with them.

Tweed

They make it very, very clear in the job application documents that
euthanaisia of companion animals is a job requirement. So much so that
there are several questions on the preliminary application form about
your ethics and views on the subject

Infact, in 3 pages of job description it was mentioned at least 4 times.

I also know that the RSPCA routinely destroy feral and timid pet cats
without even giving them a chance to be socialised. :o(

Helen M