![]() For every kind. | |
Formation | 16 June 1824 |
---|---|
Founders | |
Type | Nonprofit |
Focus | Animals |
Headquarters | Horsham, West Sussex, England |
Location |
|
Area served | England & Wales |
Key people | Chris Sherwood (CEO, August 2018 – present) |
Revenue | £151.7m (2021) [1] |
Employees | 1,305 (2021) |
Website | https://rspca.org.uk |
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is a charity operating in England and Wales which promotes animal welfare.
The RSPCA is funded primarily by voluntary donations. Founded in 1824, it is the oldest and largest animal welfare organisation in the world [2] and is one of the largest charities in the UK. [3] The organisation also does international outreach work across Europe, Africa and Asia. [4]
The charity's work has inspired the creation of similar groups in other jurisdictions, starting with the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (founded in 1836), and including the Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (1839), the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (1840), the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (1866), the Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (1882), the Singapore Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (1959) and various groups which eventually came together as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Australia (1981), the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Hong Kong) (1997) — formerly known as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Hong Kong) (1903–1997).
![]() | This section may be too long to read and navigate comfortably.(December 2020) |
The emergence of the RSPCA has its roots in the intellectual climate of the late 18th and early 19th centuries in Britain where opposing views were exchanged in print concerning the use of animals. The harsh use and maltreatment of animals in hauling carriages, scientific experiments (including vivisection), and cultural amusements of fox-hunting, bull-baiting and cock fighting were among some of the matters that were debated by social reformers, clergy, and parliamentarians. [5] At the beginning of the 19th century there was an unsuccessful attempt by Sir William Pulteney on 18 April 1800 to pass legislation through the British parliament to ban the practice of bull-baiting. [6] In 1809 Lord Erskine (1750–1823) introduced an anti-cruelty bill which was passed in the House of Lords but was defeated in a vote in the House of Commons. [7] Erskine in his parliamentary speech combined the vocabulary of animal rights and trusteeship with a theological appeal to biblical passages opposing cruelty. [8] A later attempt to pass anti-cruelty legislation was spearheaded by the Irish parliamentarian Richard Martin and in 1822 an anti-cruelty to cattle bill (sometimes called Martin's Act) became law. [9]
Martin's Act was supported by various social reformers who were not parliamentarians, and the efforts of the Reverend Arthur Broome (1779–1837) to create a voluntary organisation to promote kindness toward animals resulted in the founding of an informal network. Broome canvassed opinions in letters that were published or summarised in various periodicals in 1821. [10] Broome organised a meeting and extended invitations to various reformers that included parliamentarians, clergy and lawyers. The meeting was held on Wednesday 16 June 1824 in Old Slaughter's Coffee House, London. [11] The meeting was chaired by Thomas Fowell Buxton MP (1786–1845) and the resolution to establish the society was voted on. Among the others who were present as founding members were Sir James Mackintosh MP, Richard Martin, William Wilberforce, Basil Montagu, John Ashley Warre, Rev. George Bonner, Rev. George Avery Hatch, Sir James Graham, John Gilbert Meymott, William Mudford, and Lewis Gompertz. [12] The organisation was founded as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Broome was appointed as the society's first honorary secretary. [13] The foundation is marked by a plaque on the modern day building at 77–78 St Martin's Lane. [14]
The society was the first animal welfare charity to be founded in the world. [15] In 1824 it brought 63 offenders before the courts. [16] Princess Victoria became the society's patron in 1835, [11] and, as Queen, granted its royal status in 1840 to become the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, as it is today. [17]
The origins of the role of the RSPCA inspector stem from Broome's efforts in 1822 to personally bring to court some individuals against whom charges of cruelty were heard. [18] Broome employed and personally paid the salary for an inspector to monitor the abuse of animals at the Smithfield Market. [19] The inspector hired by Broome, Charles Wheeler, served in the capacity of an inspector from 1824 to 1826 but his services were terminated when the society's revenue was exceeded by its debts. The accrued debts led to a suspension of operations when Broome as the society's guarantor for debts was imprisoned. [20] When operations resumed there was some divided opinions in the committees that steered the society about employing inspectors, which resulted in a resolution in 1832 to discontinue employing an inspector. The permanent appointment of a salaried inspector was settled in 1838, and the inspector is the image best known of the organisation today. [21]
Broome's experience of bankruptcy and prison created difficulties for him afterwards and he stood aside as the society's first secretary in 1828 and was succeeded by the co-founding member Lewis Gompertz. [22] Unlike the other founder members who were Christians, Gompertz was a Jew and despite his abilities in campaigning against cruelty, fund-raising and administrative skills, tensions emerged between him and other committee members, due to Gompertz's approach, considered very radical at the time, in opposition to hunting and other forms of using animals he regarded as abusive. [23] [24] The tensions led to the convening of a meeting in early 1832 which led to Gompertz resigning. [25] His resignation coincided with a resolution adopted in 1832 that "the proceedings of the Society were entirely based on the Christian faith and Christian principles." [26]
Alongside the society's early efforts to prosecute offenders who maltreated animals, there were efforts made to promote kindly attitudes toward animals through the publication of books and tracts as well as the fostering of annual sermons preached against cruelty on behalf of the society. The first annual anti-cruelty sermon that was preached on behalf of the society was delivered by Rev Dr Rudge in March 1827 at the Whitechapel Church. [27] In 1865 the RSPCA looked for a way to consolidate and further influence public opinion on animal welfare by encouraging an annual "Animal Sunday" church service where clergy would preach sermons on anti-cruelty themes and the very first sermon was delivered in London on 9 July 1865 by Rev. Arthur Penrhyn Stanley (1815–1881), the Dean of Westminster. [28] The "Animal Sunday" service became an annual event in different church gatherings in England, which was later adopted by churches in Australia and New Zealand in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, and it was the forerunner of the "pet blessing" services that emerged in the 1970s. [29] In the twentieth century the RSPCA widened the horizons in the public domain by promoting an annual "animal welfare week". [30]
The RSPCA also had annual accounts published in newspapers, like The Londoner, where the secretary would discuss improvements, report cases, and remind the public to watch over their animals' health. [31]
During the second half of 1837 the society sponsored an essay-writing competition with a benefactor offering a prize of one hundred pounds for the winning entry. The terms of the competition stipulated:
"The Essay required is one which shall morally illustrate, and religiously enforce, the obligation of man towards the inferior and dependent creatures--their protection and security from abuse, more especially as regards those engaged in service, and for the use and benefit of mankind-on the sin of cruelty--the infliction of wanton or unnecessary pain, taking the subject under its various denominations-exposing the specious defence of vivisection on the ground of its being for the interests of science--the supplying the infinite demands on the poor animal in aid of human speculations by exacting extreme labour, and thereby causing excessive suffering--humanity to the brute as harmonious with the spirit and doctrines of Christianity, and the duty of man as a rational and accountable creature." [32]
There were 34 essays submitted and in December 1838 the prize was awarded to the Congregational minister Rev John Styles. [33] Styles published his book-length work, The Animal Creation; its claims on our humanity stated and enforced, and all proceeds of sale were donated to the society. [34] Other contestants, such as David Mushet and William Youatt, the society's veterinarian, also published their essays. [35] One entrant whose work was submitted a few days after the competition deadline, and which was excluded from the competition was written by the Unitarian minister William Hamilton Drummond and he published his text in 1838, The Rights of Animals: And Man's Obligation to Treat Them with Humanity. [36] This competition set a precedent for subsequent RSPCA prize-winning competitions.
The role of women in the society began shortly after the organisation was founded. At the society's first annual meeting in 1825, which was held at the Crown and Anchor Tavern on 29 June 1825, the public notice that announced the gathering specifically included appropriate accommodation for the presence of women members. [37] Several women of social standing were listed as patronesses of the society, such as the Duchess of Buccleuch, Dowager Marchioness of Salisbury, Dowager Countess Harcourt, Lady Emily Pusey, Lady Eyre and Lady Mackintosh. [38] In 1837 the novelist Catherine Grace Godwin (1798–1845) described in her novel Louisa Seymour an incident where two leading female characters were aghast at the behaviour of a driver abusing a horse pulling a carriage that they subsequently discussed the problem of cruelty with other characters one of whom, called Sir Arthur Beauchamp, disclosed that he was a member of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. [39] In 1839 another female supporter of the society, Sarah Burdett, a relative of the philanthropist Angela Burdett-Coutts and a poet, published her theological understanding of the rights of animals. [40] However it was not until 12 July 1870 that the RSPCA Ladies' Committee was established. [41] Through the Ladies Committee various activities were sponsored including essay-prize competitions among children, and the formation of the Band of Mercy as a movement to encourage children to act kindly toward animals. [42]
In the 19th century the RSPCA fostered international relations on the problem of cruelty through the sponsoring of conferences and in providing basic advice on the establishment of similar welfare bodies in North America and in the colonies of the British Empire. [43] The RSPCA celebrated its jubilee in June 1874 by holding an International Congress on Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Queen Victoria delivered a letter of congratulations to the RSPCA on its anniversary. [44] Although the society was founded by people who were mostly Christian social reformers, and in 1832 presented itself as a Christian charity concerned with welfare as well as moral reform, the RSPCA gradually developed into a non-religious, non-sectarian animal welfare charity. [45]
The RSPCA lobbied Parliament throughout the 19th century, resulting in a number of new laws. The Cruelty to Animals Act 1835 amended Martin's Act and outlawed baiting. There was a public groundswell of opinions that were divided into opposing factions concerning vivisection, where Charles Darwin (1809–1882) campaigned on behalf of scientists to conduct experiments on animals while others, such as Frances Power Cobbe (1822–1904) formed an anti-vivisection lobby. [46] The stance adopted by the RSPCA was one of qualified support for legislation. [47] This qualified support for experiments on animals was at odds with the stance taken by Society's founder Broome who had in 1825 sought medical opinions about vivisection and he published their anti-vivisection sentiments. [48] It was also a departure from the 1837 essay-competition (discussed above) where the essayists were obliged to expose "the specious defence of vivisection on the ground of its being for the interests of science." In 1876 the Cruelty to Animals Act was passed to control animal experimentation. In 1911 Parliament passed Sir George Greenwood's Animal Protection Act. Since that time the RSPCA has continued to play an active role, both in the creation of animal welfare legislation and in its enforcement. An important recent new law has been the Animal Welfare Act 2006. [49] [50]
During the First World War the RSPCA provided support for the Army Veterinary Corps in treating animals such as donkeys, horses, dogs and birds that were co-opted into military service as beasts of burden, messengers and so forth. [51] However, the RSPCA estimates that 484,143 horses, mules, camels and bullocks were killed in British service during the war. [52]
The RSPCA's centenary in 1924 and its 150th anniversary in 1974 were accompanied by books telling the society's story. [53] Since the end of the Second World War the development of intense agricultural farming practices has raised many questions for public debate concerning animal welfare legislation and the role of the RSPCA. This development has included debates both inside the RSPCA (e.g. the RSPCA Reform Group) as well as among ethicists, social activists and supporters of claims for animal rights outside of it concerning the society's role in ethical and legal issues involving the use of animals. [54]
RSPCA centres, hospitals and branches operate throughout England and Wales. In 2012 RSPCA centres and branches assisted and rehomed 55,459 animals. [55]
In 2013 the society owned four animal hospitals, Birmingham, Greater Manchester, Putney (south London) and the Harmsworth Memorial Hospital in Finsbury Park (north London), [56] and a number of clinics which provide treatments to those who could not otherwise afford it, neuter animals, and accept animals from the RSPCA inspectorate. As of September 2020, the Putney Animal Hospital has been permanently closed. [57]
RSPCA animal centres deal with a wide range of injured and rescued animals, working alongside its inspectorate, volunteers, and others to ensure that each animal is found a new home. There are currently 17 RSPCA animal centres across the UK and a further 42 centres ran independently by Branches. [58]
In 2013 the society had four wildlife centres at East Winch (Norfolk), West Hatch (Somerset), Stapeley Grange (Cheshire) and Mallydams Wood (East Sussex), which provide treatment to sick, injured and orphaned wild animals to maximise their chances of a successful return to the wild. [56]
Centre name | Location | Managed by |
Bath Cats & Dogs Home | Bath & District Branch | |
Longview Kennels | Blackpool & North Lancs Branch | |
Bolton Branch Advice Centre | Bolton Branch | |
Bridlington Cattery | Bridlington, Driffield & District Branch | |
Bristol Animal Rescue Centre | Bristol & District Branch | |
Burton upon Trent & District Branch Animal Centre | Burton upon Trent & District Branch | |
Bury Oldham and District Branch Animal Centre | Bury Oldham & District Branch | |
Canterbury & District Animal Centre | Hersden, Canterbury | Canterbury & District Branch |
Enfield Cattery | Enfield | Central, West & North East London Branch |
RSPCA Emergency Fostering Unit | Central, West & North East London Branch | |
Chesterfield Animal Centre | Chesterfield & North Derbyshire Branch | |
The William & Patricia Venton Animal Centre | St Columb, Cornwall | Cornwall Branch |
Coventry Animal Centre | Coventry, Nuneaton & District Branch | |
Danaher Animal Home | Braintree | Danaher Animal Trust |
Derby Shelter | Derby & District Branch | |
South Yorkshire Animal Centre | Bawtry | Doncaster, Rotherham & District Branch |
Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford & District Animal Centre | Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford & District Branch | |
Hull & East Riding Animal Centre | Hull & East Riding Branch | |
Godshill Animal Centre | Godshill, Isle of Wight | Isle of Wight Branch |
Woodchurch Animal Centre | Woodchurch, Birchington | Kent-Isle of Thanet Branch |
Ashford Garden Cattery | Ashford, Kent | Kent, Ashford, Tenterden & District Branch |
Altham Animal Centre | Lancashire East Branch | |
Leeds, Wakefield & District Branch Animal Centre | Leeds, Wakefield & District Branch | |
Woodside Animal Centre | Leicester | Leicestershire Branch |
Lincoln Animal Welfare Centre | Lincolnshire Mid & Lincoln Branch | |
Scunthorpe Animal Welfare Centre | Lincolnshire North & Humber Branch | |
Halewood Animal Centre | Halewood, Liverpool | Liverpool Branch |
Llys Nini Animal Centre | Penllergaer, Swansea | Llys Nini serving Cardiff to Swansea Branch |
Medway RSPCA Rehoming Centre | Chatham | Medway West Branch |
Norfolk West Branch Animal Centre | Tilney All Saints, King's Lynn | Norfolk West Branch |
North Somerset Animal Welfare Centre | Weston-Super-Mare | North Somerset Branch |
Brent Knoll Animal Centre | Brent Knoll, Highbridge | North Somerset Branch |
Hope Cattery | Brixworth, Northampton | Northamptonshire Branch |
Preston Animal Centre | Preston & District Branch | |
RSPCA Radcliffe Shelter Trust | Radcliffe on Trent | Radcliffe Animal Trust |
Rochdale Animal Centre | Rochdale & District Branch | |
Bryn-Y-Maen Animal Centre | Colwyn Bay, North Wales | RSPCA |
Gonsal Farm Animal Centre | Shrewsbury | RSPCA |
Birmingham Animal Centre | Frankley, Birmingham | RSPCA |
Newport Animal Centre | Hartridge Farm Road, Newport | RSPCA |
Great Ayton Animal Centre | Great Ayton, Middlesbrough | RSPCA |
Blackberry Farm Animal Centre | Quainton, Aylesbury | RSPCA |
Felledge Animal Centre | Chester Moor, Chester-le-Street | RSPCA |
Block Fen Animal Centre | Wimblington, March | RSPCA |
West Hatch Animal Centre | Taunton | RSPCA |
Southridge Animal Centre | Potters Bar | RSPCA |
Southall Cattery* | Southall | RSPCA |
Millbrook Animal Centre | Chobham, Woking | RSPCA |
RSPCA Friern Barnet Adoption Centre | Friern Barnet, London | RSPCA |
Ashley Heath Animal Centre | Ashley Heath, Ringwood | RSPCA |
Lockwood Centre For Horses & Donkeys* | Wormley, Godalming | RSPCA |
South Godstone Animal Centre* | South Godstone | RSPCA |
Leybourne Animal Centre | Leybourne, West Malling | RSPCA |
Greater Manchester Animal Hospital | RSPCA Hospital | |
Birmingham Animal Hospital | RSPCA Hospital | |
Southall Clinic | Southall | RSPCA Hospital |
Edmonton Clinic | London | RSPCA Hospital |
Harmsworth Memorial Animal Hospital | Holloway, Lindon | RSPCA Hospital |
Putney Animal Hospital* | London | RSPCA Hospital |
Merthyr Tydfil Clinic | Merthyr Tydfil | RSPCA Hospital |
Sheffield Animal Centre | Sheffield Branch | |
Stubbington Ark | Stubbington, Fareham | Solent Branch |
Cotswolds Dogs and Cats Home | Cambridge | South Cotswolds Branch |
Little Valley Animal Shelter | Bakers Hill, Exeter | South, East & West Devon Branch |
Southport, Ormskirk & District Branch Animal Centre | Southport, Ormskirk & District Branch | |
Whaley Bridge District Auxiliary Animal Advice Centre | Stockport, East Cheshire & West Derbyshire Branch | |
Martlesham Animal Centre | Woodbridge | Suffolk East & Ipswich Branch |
Brighton Animal Centre inc RSPCA Reptile Rescue | Patcham, Brighton | Sussex Brighton & East Grinstead Branch |
Mount Noddy Animal Centre | Eartham, Chichester | Sussex Chichester & District Branch |
Bluebell Ridge Cat Rehoming Centre | Hastings | Sussex East & Hastings Branch |
Headcorn Cattery | Headcorn, Ashford | Tunbridge Wells & Maidstone Branch |
Warrington, Halton & St Helens Animal Centre | Warrington | Warrington, Halton & St Helens Branch |
Taylor's Animal Rehoming Centre | Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester | West Dorset Branch |
Wigan, Leigh & District Branch PAWS Centre | Wigan | Wigan, Leigh & District Branch |
Wirral & Chester Animal Centre | Wallasey, Wirral | Wirral & Chester Branch |
The Holdings Animal Centre | Kempsey, Worcester | Worcester & Mid-Worcestershire Branch |
York Animal Home | York | York, Harrogate & District Branch |
*closed as of September 2020 [57]
At the national level, the charity comprises all central functions, and a number of animal hospitals and centres. This national charity also employs local inspectors and AROs to respond to urgent calls. In additional to this there is a National Control Centre which takes calls from the public and helps ensure that RSPCA officers attend incidents where animals need help, the National Control Centre is however, a third party contract and are not RSPCA employees. [59]
In previous years the National Headquarters located at Southwater in West Sussex houses several general departments, each with a departmental head, consistent with the needs of any major organisation. The current chief executive officer is Chris Sherwood. [60] Since the pandemic the RSPCA no longer has a National Headquarters, with most employees now working from home and small satellite offices being set up in locations such as Horsham and London.
There are three regions ("North", "South", and "East, Midlands and Wales"), each headed by a regional superintendent who has responsibility for the chief inspectors, inspectors and AROs. The regional managers are expected to have a broad understanding of operations throughout their regions.
RSPCA branches operate locally across England and Wales. Branches are separately registered charities operating at a local level and are run by volunteers. Some RSPCA branches are self-funding and raise money locally to support the animal welfare work they do. They find homes for about three-quarters of all animals taken in by the RSPCA. RSPCA branches also offer advice, microchipping, neutering and subsidised animal treatments. In 2013 there were also about 1000 RSPCA shops.
Each region of the RSPCA contains groups of inspectorate staff. A group is headed by a chief inspector, who might typically be responsible 6-12 officers (Inspector and AROs), working with several local branches. There is also a small number of market inspectors across the country. [61]
The RSPCA is a registered charity (no. 219099) that relies on donations from the public. The RSPCA states that its mission as a charity is, by all lawful means, to prevent cruelty, promote kindness and to alleviate the suffering of animals.
RSPCA inspectors respond to calls from the public to investigate alleged mistreatment of animals. They offer advice and assistance to improve animal welfare, and in some cases prosecute under laws such as the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Animals rescued by the RSPCA are treated, rehabilitated and rehomed or released wherever possible. [62]
The RSPCA brings private prosecution (a right available to any civilian) against those it believes, based on independent veterinary opinion, have caused neglect to an animal under laws such as the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The society has its own legal department and veterinary surgeons amongst the resources which facilitate such private prosecutions. All prosecutions are brought via independent solicitors acting for the RSPCA, as the association has no legal enforcement powers or authority in its own right.
In May 2012 the RSPCA launched its own mobile virtual network operator service, RSPCA Mobile, in partnership with MVNO whitelabel service Shebang. RSPCA Mobile claimed to be the first charity mobile phone network in the UK. [63] The agreement included provisions such that the RSPCA would receive up to 15% of top-ups made on the network and it was expected the network would raise £50,000 in the first year of operations. [64] RSPCA Mobile ceased service in October 2014.[ citation needed ]
In 1829 when the first recognisable police force was established in England, [65] [66] they adopted a similar uniform to that of RSPCA inspectors who had been wearing uniforms since the charity's beginning in 1824. This adoption has led to similarities in the RSPCA rank names and rank insignia with British police ranks, which has led some critics (such as Chris Newman, chairman of the Federation of Companion Animal Societies) [67] to suggest an attempt to "adopt" police powers in the public imagination.
An RSPCA inspector may also verbally caution a member of the public, similar to that used by the police, i.e. "You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence"; this may strengthen the perception that the RSPCA has statutory powers. When Richard Girling of The Times asked about its lack of powers, a spokesman for the RSPCA said "We would prefer you didn't publish that, but of course it's up to you". [67] Chris Newman claimed that the RSPCA "impersonate police officers and commit trespass. People do believe they have powers of entry"; [67] however, he did not produce any evidence of such impersonation of police officers, and the society strongly denies the allegation.
Sally Case, former head of prosecutions, insisted that RSPCA inspectors are trained specifically to make clear to pet-owners that they have no such right. They act without an owner's permission, she says, "only if an animal is suffering in a dire emergency. If the court feels evidence has been wrongly obtained, it can refuse to admit it". [67]
In 2012, a trial was halted and charges relating to nine dogs were thrown out of court after District Judge Elsey ruled that they had been wrongly seized, stating that the police and RSPCA acted unlawfully when they seized the animals without a warrant or a vet present to establish any suffering. [68]
While the Protection of Animals Act 1911 provided a power of arrest for police, the British courts determined that Parliament did not intend any other organisation, such as the RSPCA, to be empowered under the act and that the RSPCA therefore does not possess police-like powers of arrest, of entry or of search (Line v RSPCA, 1902). Like any other person or organisation that the law deems to have a duty to investigate — such as HM Revenue and Customs and local authority trading standards — the RSPCA is expected to conform to the rules in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 so far as they relate to matters of investigation. RSPCA officers are trained to state, following giving the caution, that the person is "not under arrest and can leave at any time".
The Animal Welfare Act 2006 [69] has now replaced the Protection of Animals Act 1911, and it empowers the police and an inspector appointed by a local authority. Such inspectors are not to be confused with RSPCA inspectors who are not appointed by local authorities. In cases where, for example, access to premises without the owner's consent is sought, a local authority or animal health inspector or police officer may be accompanied by an RSPCA inspector if he or she is invited to do so, as was the case in previous law. [70]
Following a series of Freedom of Information requests in 2011, to police constabularies throughout England and Wales [71] it was revealed that the RSPCA has developed local information sharing protocols with a number of constabularies, allowing designated RSPCA workers access to confidential information held on the Police National Computer (PNC). Although RSPCA workers do not have direct access to the PNC, information is shared with them by the various police constabularies which would reveal any convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands and impending prosecutions. Information regarding motor vehicles can also be accessed. The Association of Chief Police Officers released a statement clarifying that the RSPCA had no direct access to the PNC, and that in common with other prosecuting bodies, it may make a request for disclosure of records. This indirect access does not include any information that the RSPCA does not need in order to prosecute a case at court. [72]
The RSPCA contributes the exploitation of animals in agriculture under the RSPCA Assured scheme. Farms pay a fee to the organisation and uphold animal welfare to the standard required, in return they can use the RSPCA Assured logo on their products. [73] The label provides a slightly higher standard of welfare than the legal minimum. [74]
The scheme frequently receives media coverage for animal abuse that takes place on RSPCA Assured farms. In January 2024, footage was shared showing RSPCA assured pig farm workers beating animals to death with an iron bar. Other animals were sick or paralysed, but left untreated. The farm was suspended after the footage emerged. [75]
In March 2024, footage emerged from inside four free-range egg farms that were part of the RSPCA Assured scheme. Many of the hens are bloodied and bald, having plucked out their own feathers due to stress. Some hens were unable to access fresh water, while others were missing feet. Piles of dead birds filled bins. [76]
In March 2024, animal rights activists filmed inside an RSPCA Assured chicken hatchery. Chicks were crushed under trolley wheels and trodden on and thrown into crates. Some chicks were left injured and bloodied by accidents. [77]
In April 2024, workers were filmed hitting pigs in the face before they were killed in a carbon dioxide gas chamber. Many of the pigs were from RSPCA Assured farms. The footage showed "animals were clearly frightened and writhing in agony as they were suffocated". The RSPCA called for an end to carbon dioxide killings while simultaneously allowing the use of RSPCA Assured branding on pigs killed using the method. [78]
In May 2024, hens were found suffering at several RSPCA Assured egg farms. Footage showed a living hen trapped upside down, as well as sick hens alongside living ones. Hens with splayed legs, birds with bad feather loss, decomposing bodies and overcrowded nesting areas were also observed. The RSPCA suspended one of four farms involved. [79]
Animal Rising released a report in May 2024 that determined that in numerous instances, RSPCA Assured farms failed to meet the minimum legal standard for animal welfare. [80]
In 2009 the RSPCA was criticised by the Scottish SPCA for fundraising in Scotland and thereby "stealing food from the mouths of animals north of the border by taking donations intended for Scotland." [81] The RSPCA insists that it does not deliberately advertise in Scotland but that many satellite channels only enabled the organisation to purchase UK-wide advertising. In a statement, the RSPCA said it went "to great lengths" to ensure wherever possible that adverts were not distributed outside England and Wales, and "Every piece of printed literature, television advertising and internet banner advertising always features the wording 'The RSPCA is a charity registered in England and Wales'". "All Scottish donors, who contact us via RSPCA fundraising campaigns, are directed to the Scottish SPCA so that they can donate to them if they so wish." [81] The Scottish SPCA changed its logo in 2005 to make a clearer distinction between itself and the RSPCA in an attempt to prevent legacies being left to its English equivalent by mistake when the Scottish charity was intended. [82]
The RSPCA is an opponent of badger culling; in 2006 there was controversy about a "political" campaign against culling, with the Charity Commission being asked to consider claims that the charity had breached guidelines by being too overtly political. The charity responded saying that it took "careful account of charity law and the guidance issued by the Charity Commission". [83] Years later, an RSPCA advertisement published in the Metro newspaper said: "The UK Government wants to shoot England's badgers. We want to vaccinate them – and save their lives." However, more than 100 people complained to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), saying the use of the term "exterminate" was misleading. The advertising standards watchdog judged that the advert was likely to mislead the general public who had not taken an active interest in the badger cull saying, "The ad must not appear again in its current form. We told the RSPCA not to use language that implied the whole badger population in the cull areas would be culled in future advertising." [84] An RSPCA spokesman said it "welcomed" the judgement of the ASA to dismiss three of the areas of complaint about their advert but "respectfully disagreed" with the complaint which had been upheld. [85]
In September 2013 the RSPCA deputy chairman Paul Draycott said that 'too political' campaigns threatened the charity's future and could deter donors. [86] Draycott said that the RSPCA could go insolvent "We have spent months discussing where we want to be in 10 years' time, but unless we develop a strategy for now we won't be here then". In response the chairman Mike Tomlinson said "The trustee body continues to place its full support behind the RSPCA's chief executive, management and all our people who do such outstanding work". The accusations of politicisation remain unsubstantiated.
Paul Draycott also warned that the RSPCA fears an exodus of "disillusioned staff" with "poor or even non-existent management training and career paths" for employees. In response the RSPCA's chief executive, Gavin Grant denied suggestions in the memo that there was "no strategy" in some areas, stating that there was no difficulty in attracting trustees or serious internal concerns about management. [87]
In June 2014 RSPCA campaigner Peta Watson-Smith compared the conditions livestock are brought up in across the country to that of the Jews during the Holocaust. The comments were condemned by countryside campaigners and Jewish groups. [88] In 2015 Watson-Smith was elected to the RSPCA ruling council. At the same election the RSPCA members also voted to give a seat on the ruling council to Dan Lyons.[ citation needed ]
In 2016 the new head of the RSPCA, Jeremy Cooper, made a dramatic, public apology for the charity's past mistakes and vowed to be less political and bring fewer prosecutions in the future. [89] The new chief executive admitted that RSPCA had become "too adversarial" and will now be "a lot less political". [90] Cooper said that the charity had alienated farmers in its aggressive campaign against the government's badger cull and disclosed that it would be "very unlikely" to ever bring another prosecution against a hunt. Cooper later resigned after just on year in charge. [91]
In April 2019 the RSPCA has faced a new fraud investigation held at south-east London branch over the alleged mishandling of funds by two men, who were arrested on suspicion of fraud. The suspected fraud was exposed during a financial audit of the south-east London branch. [92]
The RSPCA also state that whilst a few of their own branches operate "no kill" policies themselves, [93] its policy on euthanasia is:
The RSPCA is working for a world in which no rehomable animal is put to sleep. Currently the RSPCA accepts, with great reluctance that in certain circumstances euthanasia may be necessary, when the animal is not rehomable, because it is sick or injured, for behavioural reasons or occasionally because there are no appropriate homes available and the animal would therefore endure long-term suffering through deprivation of basic needs. [94]
There have been incidents where the RSPCA has apologised for decisions to euthanise animals. [95] In 2008, the RSPCA was sued by Hindu monks over the killing of a sacred cow at the Bhaktivedanta Manor Hindu temple in Hertfordshire and 200 people protested at the RSPCA headquarters. On 13 December 2008, the RSPCA admitted culpability, apologised for the euthanising of the cow, and donated a pregnant cow to the temple as a symbol of reconciliation. [96] [97] [98]
The RSPCA admitted that in 2014 it had euthanised 205 healthy horses. In one particular case 12 horses from a Lancashire farm that had been assessed by vets as being "bright, alert and responsive" and suffering no life-threatening issues were killed by the RSPCA. [99]
In May 2013 former RSPCA employee Dawn Aubrey-Ward was found hanged at her home when suffering from depression after leaving the animal charity. [100] Aubrey-Ward was described by The Daily Telegraph as a whistleblower for the RSPCA's prosecution practices. The RSPCA subsequently had a meeting with the Charity Commission over its approach to prosecutions. [101]
On 7 August 2013 the BBC Radio 4 Face the Facts radio programme broadcast an episode called "The RSPCA – A law unto itself?" [102] The programme presented a number of cases of where the RSPCA has sought to hound vets and expert witnesses who had appeared in court for the defence in RSPCA prosecutions. In one case it sought to discredit the author of the RSPCA Complete Horse Care Manual (Vogel) after he appeared as an expert witness for the defence team in an RSPCA prosecution. [103] The RSPCA later released a statement saying that this is untrue and that they do not persecute vets and lawyers who appear for the defence and as defence experts. There have been thousands of lawyers taking defence cases against the RSPCA and they have only ever made a complaint about one. [104]
In November 2013 the RSPCA was accused of instigating police raids on small animal shelters with insufficient evidence that animals were being mistreated. The owners claimed that they were being persecuted because of their "no kill" policy of only putting animals down if they cannot be effectively treated. [93] The RSPCA stated that their inspectors will offer advice and guidance to help people improve conditions for their animals, and it only seeks the help of the police where it considers there is no reasonable alternative to safeguard animal welfare. [105]
The RSPCA has long been criticised for its governance with the Charity Commission describing it as below the standard expected of a large charity[ clarification needed ] and in August 2018 issued the society with an official warning. [106] The RSPCA made significant changes to its governance in 2019 reducing the size of its council from 28 trustees to a new board of trustees of 12 trustees with nine elected by the membership and three co-opted. The RSPCA also introduced term limits of nine years for its trustees and appointed its first independent chair, Rene Olivieri, in its 196 years of history.
A humane society is a group that aims to stop cruelty to animals. In many countries, the term is used mostly for societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals (SPCA). In the United Kingdom, and historically in the United States, such societies provide waterway rescue, prevention and recovery services, or may give awards for saving human life.
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) is a British child protection charity founded as the Liverpool Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (LSPCC) by Thomas Agnew on 19 April 1883. The NSPCC lobbies the government on issues relating to child welfare, and creates child abuse public awareness campaigns. Since the 1980s, the charity has had statutory powers allowing it to apply for help on behalf of children at risk. In the 1990s, the charity's publication, Satanic Indicators, fueled panic in social workers who went and accused parents and removed children from homes when they should not have. It operates a help line. The Paddington Bear character has partnered with the charity to raise funds for the charity. NSPCC operates telephone helplines.
The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a charity to promote animal welfare in Scotland.
Colonel Richard Martin, was an Irish politician and campaigner against cruelty to animals. He was known as "Humanity Dick", a nickname bestowed on him by King George IV. He succeeded in getting the pioneering Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act 1822, nicknamed 'Martin's Act', passed into British law.
Muriel Dowding, Baroness Dowding was an English humanitarian and animal rights activist known for championing anti-vivisection, vegetarianism and the improvement of animal welfare. Like her second husband Lord Dowding, 1st Baron Dowding she was a vegetarian, an anti-vivisectionist, spiritualist and theosophist. She coined the term cruelty-free and was a pioneer of the cruelty-free movement.
The Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a New Zealand charitable society who work to promote the humane treatment of animals. The society consists of 30 animal shelters and 6 vet partnerships around New Zealand, including many in regional areas. Under the Animal Welfare Act 1999, SPCA inspectors have the exclusive power to investigate animal welfare complaints and prosecute abusers when necessary. The Royal NZ SPCA has initiated a range of animal welfare campaigns. It has launched public education campaigns about the humane treatment of animals, and has encouraged people to change their behaviour towards animals. SPCA has also run advocacy campaigns aimed at promoting law changes or questioning the legality of certain practices.
RSPCA Australia is an Australian peak organisation established in 1981 to promote animal welfare. Each state and territory of Australia has an RSPCA organisation that predates and is affiliated with RSPCA Australia.
The Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA) is an animal charity based and operating in Northern Ireland. The other SPCA societies operating in the United Kingdom are the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) and the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA).
William Alexander Mackinnon DL JP FRS was a British politician and a colonisation commissioner for South Australia.
Lewis Gompertz was an English writer and inventor, and early animal rights and veganism advocate. He was a founding member of the English Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; later the RSPCA, and the Animals' Friend Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or DSPCA is a registered charity, established in 1840 to prevent cruelty to animals in Dublin in Ireland.
The Singapore Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a registered animal welfare charity in Singapore.
Save Me is an animal welfare organisation that campaigns against fox hunting and badger culling. It was founded in 2010 by Queen guitarist Brian May and Anne Brummer to campaign against the possible repeal of the Hunting Act in the UK. The campaign is named after the song written by May that was a worldwide hit for Queen in 1980.
RSPCA NSW is a not-for-profit charity operating in New South Wales, Australia that promotes animal welfare.
RSPCA Tasmania is an animal welfare, education and advocacy charitable organisation based in Tasmania, Australia. They run and maintain a shelter facility for the boarding of surrendered and seized animals, as well as operating retail shop fronts for the adoption of pets. They are responsible for the enforcement of state and federal animal welfare laws for domestic animals, and laws relating to non-commercial animal related activities in Tasmania.
In the United Kingdom, hunt monitors endeavour to observe behaviours of organized hunts and undertake information gathering activities, known as hunt monitoring.
Titus Lander was an Australian politician and animal welfare advocate. He was the first salaried RSPCA inspector in Western Australia, and later served a single term in the state's Legislative Assembly, where he secured the passage of an animal welfare bill.
Arthur MacLoughlin Broome was an English clergyman and campaigner for animal welfare. He was one of a group of creators of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) in 1824. Broome was appointed as the original society's first Secretary, a post he held until 1828. He held posts at various churches in London, Essex, and Kent, and supported an appeal for earthquake relief in Syria. He wrote about animal theology and also about two 17th-century English clergy. He was guarantor for the RSPCA's debts, which led to his financial ruin and in April 1826 he was sent to a debtors' prison.
The Animal Defenders Office (ADO) is an Australian community legal centre focusing on animal law, specialising in issues surrounding impounded dogs, assistance animals, the setting up animal of charities, and the defence of animal activists. The ADO is also involved in a range of community outreach and advocacy activities, including the production of legal fact sheets, presentations in public education forums, community events, and university panels, and involvement with local animal advocacy groups. It is a member of the National Association of Community Legal Centres in Australia, and as such is a not-for-profit organisation that provides free legal advice to the community and advocates for law reform.
Ernest Bell was an English author, publisher and activist for animal rights and welfare, humanitarianism and vegetarianism.