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RSPCA..WARREN PEACE
(By Terry Bunn November 3rd 2002)
http://www.users.waitrose.com/~terrapinrescue/
I live in the South of England, about 20 miles from one of the charity's largest animal shelters.
This has recently been in the news quite a lot - claiming that it is running out of money, close to bankruptcy etc.
The shelter manager appeared on TV claiming that the problem was caused by the fall in the stock market adversely affecting the Association's investments.
A few weeks later the regional director Bob Dazely faced the cameras saying that the problem was caused by the fact that people were now living longer and the RSPCA was not receiving as much money in bequests as was previously the case !
Thinking I might do my little bit to help I phoned the shelter to ask if they had any rabbits which needed adopting. I was told that rabbits could only be adopted in twos, since they are social animals although owing to the centre's financial difficulties they might change that policy in the near future and allow them to be adopted one at a time if that's what people wanted.
I replied that I had no problem with the present policy of adopting two and asked what I needed to do.
Well, first I had to call in at the shelter and register an interest in rabbits. I also needed to bring with me a passport or a utility bill or some other form of ID to prove that I was who I said I was. I also had to certify that I had a hutch that was 2'X5'. If it wasn't the RSPCA could arrange for me to purchase one of the correct size.
I also had to have a home visit from an inspector who would check out that my hutch was the size I said it was and inspect my run.
Since I live at least 20 miles from the shelter the "royal inspector of runs and hutches " would presumably qualify for a reasonable amount of mileage. I imagine a lot of people would have given up at this point and simply gone to their local pet shop.
I, however, called in at the shelter to see what was on offer and was sent to the small animal block along with a member of staff to answer any questions I might have.
There were a large number of rabbits present but only one appeared to be available for rehoming. About half were reserved and the other half were in cages bearing a mysterious notice saying that they were "not to be rehomed" but which omitted to say why.
Inquiries addressed to the member of the staff showed that even the one rabbit which appeared to be available for rehoming was "not to be rehomed". Questions as to why some animals could not be rehomed brought the po- faced response that they "did not discuss individual rabbits"! and a suggestion that I call back in a few weeks when there might be others available for adoption.
Since I was obviously keeping her from her work I made my excuses and left. This is not the first time I have experienced this kind of problem with this particular shelter.
Five years ago I saw an episode of Pet Rescue on Channel 4 which showed volunteers walking dogs there. Since I walk dogs for the NCDL and other rescues I phoned up to volunteer but was told that I could not do this and had my name and address taken.
A week later I received a letter from the deputy manageress stating that dog walking was not a straightforward activity and that for health and safety reasons it was necessary to take a course of training before being allowed out with a canine on the end of a lead. Unfortunately, she added, all her staff were so busy helping to film Pet Rescue that they did not have time to organise any courses!
I was so shocked that I sent the letter to the regional director and asked him if this were simply an individual expressing an opinion or was it the considered view of the RSPCA. His response was to pass the letter back to the shelter from which the manager wrote to me again - a letter almost the same as that from his deputy.
I am not suprised that the establishment is now experiencing financial difficulties since it must be rather difficult for anyone with half a brain to take the antics of its staff and management seriously. It is also not difficult to understand why the RSPCA nationally is having problems.
The media image of the Association is of Rolf Harris 'oohing and aahing' about how caring they are. However, the experience of most members of the public who contact that RSPCA is of a phone that never answers. On the rare occasions it does answer they either receive a blank refusal to help or are given a list of other organisations that will pick up the pieces for them.
I run a rescue for red eared terrapins and frequently receive calls from members of the public at all hours of the day or night who have been told by the RSPCA that I will deal with their problems.
An 82 year old lady I know who runs a cat rescue has similar experiences to report. My own personal view, for what it is worth, is that the RSPCA should be broken up into discrete regional bodies or better still closed down altogether, since its continued existence provides a large number of people with the illusion that there is an effective organisation (royal even!) out there which will care for all animals.
Those who work in animal welfare know that no such body really exists and that the RSPCA is about as concerned with caring for animals as Railtrack was with providing punctual and safe transport for commuters. To wipe away this introverted, politicking, self serving bureaucracy which seems to believe that it has a monopoly of goodwill and good practice towards animals might either encourage the formation of a national body that really did care, or at least divert much needed funds to the groups who are already doing the job. What do you think?