by Rose Conrad

Created on: December 07, 2008

People always think of Britain as a nation of animal lovers, and, in many ways, this is true. It is a known fact that UK citizens give more money to animal charities than to those for other causes and the penalties for animal abuse and cruelty are stringent. However, cruelty and neglect still goes on, and that is where charities such as the RSPCA come in.

The RSPCA is the oldest and best known animal charity in the UK. Founded back in 1824 as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (the Royal charter came later in 1840), it has a simple mission statement, which is:-

The RSPCA as a charity will, by all lawful means, prevent cruelty, promote kindness to, and alleviate suffering of animals.

The Society came into being thanks mainly to MP Richard Martin, or "Humanity Dick" he was often called. In 1822 he piloted the first anti-cruelty bill in parliament, giving cattle, horses and sheep a degree of protection through the Law, and two years later, was one of the 2 founder members of the SPCA, as it was then called.

Based first only in London, the Society's practical welfare work developed quickly, and a group of inspectors was appointed in London to check on conditions markets and slaughterhouses. Together they formed a law enforcement body that pre-dated the police force, and before long, branches of the Society had opened in Bath, Brighton, Bristol, Coventry and Scarborough.

Now, in the 21st century, the RSPCA is one of the largest charities in the UK, with annual running costs of 82 million, provided solely by voluntary donations and legacies. It is now a registered charity (number 219099)., employing a large number of Inspectors with the powers to visit property and remove animals if they feel they are being cruelly treated, as well as very many volunteers.The work is hard, often extremely upsetting, and sometimes dangerous, but they do it calmly and in good spirit, and this country would be a poorer place without them.

I have only had the need to call the RSPCA once, - when I was concerned that a family nearby were neglecting their animals. About six cats, one heavily pregnant, were running unchecked around the neighbourhood, seemingly starving, and two dogs were chained in the back garden, barking continuously and never exercised. My neighbour and I called the RSPCA on a Sunday afternoon, and the Inspector came straightway. He was kind and gentle he moved all the animals (apart from one cat who I had grown so attached to that I decided to keep him myself) and a prosecution followed. Without him, no one knows how much suffering those poor animals would have had to suffer through feckless neglect and cruelty.

There are many animal charities in the UK now the PDSA, The Blue Cross etc and all do excellent work to help animals and increase the general awareness of animal cruelty. But, to my mind, the RSPCA will always be the biggest, the most well-known, and probably the best, because. they have more staff and more resources to fight the evils of animal neglect and cruelty.

I know that some people may see the RSPCA as busy-bodies, who interfere in their daily lives, but, the fact is, animals have no voice. It is up to concerned people to report cruelty wherever it is suspected, and if one life is saved by the prompt actions of the RSPCA, then it is well worth it. More power to them!

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