The RSPCA is the oldest national animal welfare charity in the world, founded in 1824 by reformers in England. The group was originally concerned with farm animals and met at the "Old Slaughters" coffee house, their goal was to ensure that existing laws against animal cruelty were enforced.
In the early days, the RSPCA was instrumental in the passage of additional animal welfare legislation dealing with baiting, fighting and animal experiments. Originally the group used committees who investigated cattle markets and slaughterhouses, but soon switched to paid inspectors who brought suspected wrong-doers before the courts.
The turning point for the organization came in 1835 when the Duchess of Kent, soon to become Queen Victoria, lent her support by joining the list of patrons. In 1840, the society was granted permission to add "Royal" to it's title. Over 150 years later, the ties to royalty continue and today, Queen Elizabeth is a patron of the RSPCA.
Interestingly, the RSPCA was also responsible for the child welfare movement. Members of the RSPCA assisted in the creating of the SPCA (the American sister organization). One of the members of the SPCA was duped into helping an abused child, reported by a charity worker as animal abuse. The SPCA stepped in, and the child received the same level of care and protection animals were already receiving. From this act of compassion, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children was founded in New York. When the news of this story reached London, a similar organization was proposed and eventually formed in the UK.
In another twist of fate, the RSPCA's concern for draft horses led to the development of a quick-release mechanism, which was used by airborne troops and pilots in World War Two to quickly slip out of parachute harnesses. The same device that allowed fallen horses to be freed, sparing them injury and trauma helped to save human lives in war-time.
The RSPCA assisted in other war efforts, helping animals trapped and injured in the blitz and sending aid to animals serving on the front lines. The Society set up animal clinics across the country and set up temporary shelters for displaced animals - the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace was used to house dray horses from a bombed brewery.
Today the RSPCA is one of the largest charities in the UK with an annual income of over 100 million pounds (or $150 million dollars). There are over 170 local branches and over 200 charity shops. The Society is funded by charitable contributions alone, and relies on volunteers to supplement its paid staff. There are chapters of the RSPCA in Australia, and over a quarter of a million pounds are contributed annually to animal rescue efforts around the world.
The Society's mission statement is to effectively relieve the suffering of animals and enforce animal welfare law with efficiency and integrity and to promote animal welfare through education and campaigning.
But has the RSPCA lost it's way?
Unfortunately, the RSPCA is not omnipotent or perfect - it is run and staffed by human beings, after all. Mistakes are made, not all animals are saved and some animals are put to sleep without sufficient effort to locate the owners or without consulting with the professionals responsible for care.
There are culture clashes as well, as in the case of a cow being cared for in a Hindu temple that was euthanized by inspectors. On the one hand, the temple was providing veterinary care according to their beliefs, allowing the cow to die naturally with dignity. However, to westerners, a cow that's having trouble standing and breathing, and has "bed" sores is "suffering" unnecessarily.
Watchdogs accuse the RSPCA of being more interested in money from businesses paying for the blessings of the organization than the welfare of the animals involved. There are stories of "stray" animals being euthanized even while their owners were frantically calling, providing accurate descriptions and offering rewards. There are accusations of inspectors acting as judge, jury and executioner.
Is this corruption at the corporate level, or are these isolated incidents? Are inspectors on power-trips, or are owners blind to the suffering of their own animals? Personally, I cannot say, but these stories are cause for concern. Should it effect your decision to donate to the RSPCA? Perhaps. Should the RSPCA address and resolve these issues? With out a doubt. Should it effect your decision to adopt a rescued animal? Absolutely not.
Even the most blameless organization has its bad apples, malcontents and detractors. Perhaps this is the case with the RSPCA - I do hope so, because it would be a shame if the worlds oldest animal welfare organization became more famous for the mistakes they make and suffering they cause, to humans and to animals.
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RSPCA