I haven't posted on here for what seems like an age but I found myself needing to get this out after reading a few things which disturbed me greatly. Possibly not for the reasons you might expect.
Firstly there is a group on facebook about some Shire horses Hope's Cause. The story is heart wrenching and it is easy to see and understand why this group is now furious with the RSPCA. I am not part of the RSPCA nor do I know how and why they do what they do but I have a theory which I will outline later.
From this group though I found another where they are trying to take the RSPCA to court saying that they aren't doing their job and from that I found this special link. Now I have an issue with this blog, a huge one. Firstly it seems most of their 'evidence' has been taken from newspapers and everyone is more then aware that you shouldn't believe everything you read. Secondly they don't seem to know much about running a business which the RSPCA is, they might be a charity but they run like a business, they have to being as big as they are.
Now I might be seen as a big bad wolf here and I don't want to be but from my course and the business module and my boyfriend doing an advertising course I have learnt a lot about how to survive and how to make money. It's not easy and you have to be ruthless.
Now, these people are moaning about the RSPCA, how they aren't helping those horses or how they are being 'too rough' or other things. Have they stopped and taken note of how many inspectors there are in the RSPCA? Notice that actually there is a really small amount compared to the size of the country, ??? inspectors for the whole country really isn't a lot.
Now don't get me wrong, I think the RSPCA should have done more about those horses, however I can think of several reasons as to why they haven't and most of it is wrapped up in legislation.
The problem is with the horse case in particular is the fact that each time the RSPCA ask the owner to do something, he is in fact doing what they ask. Now I don't know if the RSPCA are aware that all he does is move the horses and leave them to die, if they are then yes they should have done something about this earlier, if they have 'heard' but have no proof then again I see why they haven't. Now I am aware that an RSPCA inspector can not just go in and take an animal away. The owners have to have warnings and time to change things, which can lead to more warnings. I believe from what I have learnt that it is rare they can just seize an animal as there are laws around doing so.
If this is the case then I think people should be more understanding. The RSPCA are expected to do a lot and aren't that big of an organisation, not when it comes to it and really for everyone who wants to see them shut down, what happens then?
What would have happened to all of my cats and our old dog if the RSPCA hadn't been about? We got them from the RSPCA shelter near here, like many people do each year. What happens to them?
People are calling for the RSPCA to be closed down/to sue them... but in all honesty is that helping at all? Does it really matter that much to sue them over money when that money you are sueing them with you could then go and help animals with? Yes they may possibly be slightly corrupt, what large organisation isn't but they do help animals. They rehome thousands of animals each year and it is a known fact that there are a shortage of good, healthy, safe rescue centres around so you take the RSPCA out, what happens then?
I can understand peoples anger at what the RSPCA may or may not have done but in the end sometimes the larger picture needs to be looked at. I am certain, in fact I know that the RSPCA spend a lot of money on advertising, I also know that the Dogs Trust do the same and I know both societies help a lot of animals. They also pay people to work with them, to carry out research, to work in shelters, work as inspectors, work as fundraisers. In fact a lot of money has to go back into the charity before the animals can be helped. How many rescue centres that don't advertise/don't have a website/don't have helpers survive? You have to put the money into the centre before you can help the animals, it's just a fact. For a centre to grow it needs the money put in and really the RSPCA just do that, yes they probably put too much money in some areas and not enough in others, as do the NSPCC and OXFAM are well known for it but how many people are suing them and trying to close them down? Sometimes you need to think about what would happen if they weren't there.
The RSPCA might not be perfect. No one and nothing is, however causing them trouble, taking them to court, trying to use the media to make them look bad hinders them even more and would you like it on your head to know that you stopped them saving that dog from a life fighting? Or closing down that puppy farm? It's something people need to think about.
I want to work for the RSPCA because it's a position where I know I can help animals. I know that in that position I can help animals I also know that in that position I will come across animals I can't help. It's just a fact of life, no one can help everyone.
As for those horses, I do agree the RSPCA should do something, however no where does it say they have contacted other welfare agencies such as the World Horse Welfare (previously the ILPH). If they have then good, if not then maybe they have neglected all options as well?
I am assuming a lot writing this, i don't know the facts completely but it angers me that people who want to see justice for animals want a charity that helps so many animals a year closed down. It isn't logical and it doesn't make sense and thats why it annoys me so much.
