To ask about your opinion on the RSPCA after Brian May resignation

[Meadowlands]

He has resigned because the RSPCA's response to poor animal welfare was completely inadequate.
When I reported an animal in distress, they refused to investigate, and it was left to my local animal shelter -which is struggling for money - to come to the rescue.
I find it all extremely concerning. Does anyone else have any experiences?

I'm really glad you've flagged this. I have zero tolerance for these "charities" that are in fact just a front for the entitled and privileged to swan around feeling good, whilst the cause itself gets neglected.

Shameful.

Very shocked at the stories and the farm assured investigation.

RSPCA must get loads left in legacies - so what are they spending it on?

Don't get me started on chugging.

Sounds like a lot of the big charities. Used to work for Marie Curie and they were the same - execs getting paid a fortune whilst expecting nurses to work for free!

I posted upthread a link from them that shows how they spend their money. 82% on animal welfare

The RSPCA's idea of what constitutes animal welfare is very, very different to what is should be.

Yes indeed - if you read the link they don’t define it any further

they then go on to ‘myth bust’ and their answers are very weak

i have a big issue with the charity commission (and companies house) giving legitimacy to charities (and companies) by allowing by hem to register but actually doing very little oversight or due diligence

a lot of people see it is a registered charity (or company) and assume it’s legitimate when we all know that’s not always the case

Good for your mum! I like the sound of her.

They have had a terrible reputation for many years and I believe have lost bequests and donations because of it. It's also been well known that they don't respond to people calling them about neglected animals etc, so what's the point of them? I'm sure local rescue centres do much more.

And the tragedy is some of the small rescue centres face closure because they can't afford to look after all the animals the RSPCA declines.

@Meadowlands Hopefully we'll all focus on trying to help them now, rather than the RSPCA. Thanks for bringing it to everyone's attention.

When I was a kid, I remember there was a cat that used to hang around by our house, it would sneak in and try to eat my cat's food. Parents asked around and it transpired that he used to belong to a family who had moved away and abandoned him 😔 My mum contacted the RSPCA and they were not interested. Basically advised her that if the cat was annoying us to throw water at him!!!! This was 30 years ago. Mum told them that that wasn't going to sort out the cat's situation. She ended up finding a home for him with a work colleague.

Most local rescue do much much more. Often they will never ignore an animal in distress and will do everything they can to ensure the animal is safe esp if they cannot take it in immediately. (For example, my local cat rescue is bulging at the seams but, if a stray cat is uninjured, they often ask the person who found it to look after it for a few days if possible, until they have space. They will provide a safe outdoor shelter and food. Most kind people, when they understand the situation, are happy to help for a few days).
It can be unrelenting work especially when they have several litters of motherless kittens all needing hand feeding. Living in a rural area, there are often a lot of fierce, feral farm cats which need medical attention and neutering before being re-homed to farms which will actually provide safe, warm shelter and food. RSPCA wouldn't go anywhere near these feral cats.

I detest the RSPCA with a passion. Uncaring, unresponsive, arrogant, and utterly useless.

I don't think so. The case that I referred to was one where the horses and sheep were all owned by the couple who had the farm. Their daughter had a very successful Warmblood showjumper, who wanted for nothing.

All these awful examples are so worrying. I wish there was something we could do. Any ideas anyone ??
As someone up thread suggested a good start would be if everyone on here talked to family and friends urging them to give to the small local shelters/ people who desperately need the funds. And who do go out to animals in distress.

It’s a shame the papers don’t pick these threads off MN

@Bruisername yes, they probably only want the more salacious type threads..

Although given the nations reputation for being animal lovers you would think some of these stories would be interesting to them!

I’ve been really lucky and had good service from them when called upon. Not diminishing all these terrible stories but maybe it is pot luck based on who your local team are.

A baby pigeon - they were driving to collect it from me, but I put them off and took it to a local bird rescue instead. Was surprised they were willing to help with that one.

A cat who had clearly had kittens and was thin as a rake, eating roadkill. 🤢 They paid the cost of a vet check.

They came to collect a lost/ escaped pet snake (!) from my garden.

We’ve also adopted cats from them and had a good experience with that. They were picky about making sure they didn’t rehome cats to houses near busy or main roads which I was pleased to hear.

Most independent cat rescue centres will do home checks or at least look up location and do not re-home cats near busy roads. The reason for home checks is also to look at the family dynamics esp with small children. Putting a new cat with a boisterous toddler, especially one which ignores commands from parents is asking for disaster both for the child and the cat. A couple of overactive, mischievous kittens are not a good fit with a pristine house and silk curtains ( unless they are happy for the kittens to use the curtains as a climbing wall!)
Basically most reputable rescue centres want to make sure the animal and the prospective owners are a good fit

Yes, I know all this. I used to volunteer in a rescue centre and have adopted over 15 cats from various rescues. I was just saying I was impressed that they were picky.

Family member had a pet dumped on them. Think let someone live in their house out of goodwill because they were on their arse. When they left they left their caged pet.

Pet was constantly back and forth to the vet because it had long standing issues. Person then wanted pet back now it had lots of vet treatment. Family said no. Reported to rspca who went and took said animal and had their vet put it to sleep after declaring it was neglected and immobile completely in its back end. Despite video footage of said pet wondering its cage days prior and visitor testimony. Banned from keeping caged pers and fined. Dog was allowed to stay though.

Now I hated the blooded caged animal but it never smelt any worse than any other caged animal, had toys and treats and vet trips. Certainly came to the cage when I walked by but nope neglected and paralysed apparently.

When I was growing up, mid teens onwards I wanted to be an RSPCA inspector.

BUT, they pay those poor inspectors so little for such an emotional and difficult job whilst the top bods get paid silly money. I've read so many bad things about the RSPCA, like a lot of the big charities. Top heavy, greedy CEO's.

I stopped supporting WWF when a new PA started at work who had come from there. She was on £75k there as a PA. I dread to think what her boss was on.

What’s the actual point of them, then?! Do even they know?

@KerryBlues really good question and one I think we are all asking.
Annual income of over £150,000,000....

The RSPCA spend heavily in advertising - they're not going to want to risk losing that.

I am so sad reading your stories. What a crock of shite the RSPCA is. How the hell can we change this? Ffs.

@Lilith666 I really wish I knew..