Another apparent **** up by the rspca

[Ann Clarke (Tabby cat)]

I don't think so but I will investigate that thanks. Another thing we have found recently is that in this region at least the National Helpline no isn't in any of the phone books, yellow pages, Thomson directory etc so the general public can't find it easily. Ours is in there so of course people ring us instead and the lady who does our phone ends off ringing the helpline for them. I know our RDM is currently working on improving links with them in our region so hopefully things will improve in the near future. It just seems daft that we don't work together more.

[Ela]

We can't even get hold of our local branch number, 

 If you are in Gateshead is not the 0191 477 5999 in use now?

[Ela]

We can't even get hold of our local branch number, they won't give it to us even though we are CP,so we always have to ring the national helpline.

That is a disgrace, apart from visiting then no one can get hold of them. At least I have the ex directory number for phone and fax if I need to get them during their opening hours to the public and if the phone is constantly engaged on the published number.

[Ann Clarke (Tabby cat)]

We can't even get hold of our local branch number, they won't give it to us even though we are CP,so we always have to ring the national helpline.

[Ela]

- or develop a relationship with your local branch, so you know you can ring them (i.e. I have the out of hours no for the rescue's local branch

The fact that you have there number is not much good to the 'normal' people who may need help as obviously you cannot give it out,  so unless a person knew you or another member they could still have problems in an emergency.

I must say that your branch seems better than many, unfortunately many local branches are not so good. Our Local branch only takes calls for 6 hours a day, 6 days a week and if anyone reported a RTA for instance they don't want to know and would advise you to contact the National number. The rest of the time there is just a message asking you to leave your name and number, when I would have thought they should refer callers to the National number for emergencies at least.

[Ela]

but if it was the CP, my reaction would have been the same, dont know about anyone else's.

Quite right too. I would have been on to HQ immediately.

[Desley (booktigger)]

Lindy - I am sorry you have those views and I dont think you should leave the forum - articles like this will get us talking and seeming anti-RSPCA, but if it was the CP, my reaction would have been the same, dont know about anyone else's. As Susanne pointed out, I have been posting favourable things about the RSPCA recently - sadly, it is the rescue's local branch and not my own, but there is a massive difference in the two, and I will be helping their local one and not my own, I am hopefully going to be fostering oldies for them at some point, and we have up to 4 more fundraisers this year thanks to them, so I will continue to praise them. I think more people should go to their local branch and talk to the people in charge, esp when you dont agree with one of their policies - still dont agree with one of my local branch's policies, but if you actually talk to them and find out their reasoning behind it, you then can't have a go at them for it - and I wouldn't want to be in their position, having members of hte public being rude and aggressive to them because they are full and can't take in their animal, or dealing with them dumped on the doorstep cos they said no. The impression I got about the call centre was that they are people that might not be manning the RSPCA line every day, so they aren't always qualified knowledgable people - but you get that in every single call centre, so maybe just keep ringing back and getting someone who can help - or develop a relationship with your local branch, so you know you can ring them (i.e. I have the out of hours no for the rescue's local branch)

[Ela]

not sure about the Cpl bt that could be why they were more helpful, either that or i was just lucky

All Cats Protection Branches (260+) are run by unpaid slaves volunteers. . There are also some (less than 30) HQ sponsored shelters which do employ some paid staff and also have some volunteers. These tend to have a capacity for more cats than a branch and in one case about 200 cats.

[Dawn (DiddyDawn)]

sounds like they need a decent chairperson like you Dawn we could all vote for you

errr, no thanks    Going to monthly meetings is stressful enough 

maybe we should all email the address voicing our concerns if one little life is saved through everyone emailing then its all worth it

This is the only way to change things you are not happy with......in my opinion anyway 

Do you have the appropriate address Dawn

I will sort out the HQ address for you.

[Dawn (DiddyDawn)]

don't accept what they tell you the first time if it sounds like poppy Banana.

how would a random member of the general public know though?

They wouldn't but in saying that, I don't listen to any old crap told to me over the phone, and if I'm not happy, I will persue it until I am.   If an animal is suffering, we have to be their voice but sadly not everyone is interested enough to help, they want to finish their shift, get home and forget about it......for some of us, this isn't that easy.  But again as already mentioned, there are some really nice peeps who do answer the phones and they will do their utmost to help.........it's just a case of keep trying until you get someone you're happy with, I know this shouldn't be the case but sadly, in my experience it is.

[smudgepickles]

sounds like they need a decent chairperson like you Dawn we could all vote for you ....maybe we should all email the address voicing our concerns if one little life is saved through everyone emailing then its all worth it


Do you have the appropriate address Dawn

Well done for all you do  
x

[snarf]

don't accept what they tell you the first time if it sounds like poppy Banana.

how would a random member of the general public know though? thats not just levelled at the RSPCA either, the NHS lines abit "interesting" at times, i rang when i dislocated my kneecap, was told to rest it for a few days. i didnt know she was just a random lady, when i rang back a few days later, still in agony i was told i should have been put through to a nurse/doctor and only they are supposed to give advice (i went to hospital and was in a brace for 4 weeks, crutches for 4 weeks after, clearly bad advice there too!) and yes i ring too many helplines!

[Dawn (DiddyDawn)]

I personally think the RSPCA are and should be responsible for the way calls are dealt with even if it means listening in on employees calls from time to time  (to keep them on their toes and dealing with them accordingly should they not deal with the calls with compasion and professionalism AT ALL TIMES. I'm afraid I have spoken to them as I said before and have got the "yeah whatever" attitude

Our chairperson has on occasion phoned the call centre for various things to see how she's been dealt with, sadly they have been faultless in their dealings but I have mentioned a few dealings I have had myself and also got names of the peeps I've spoken to.

[Dawn (DiddyDawn)]

We've had numerous discussions about the call centre staff at our meetings, the way to change things is to write in to the HQ and voice your complaints.......this is the only way things are going to change.  If peeps don't say anything, crap advice will continue to be given and animals will continue to suffer in the process.  Rather than slating on a forum, do something in writing to the HQ and slowly, things should change for the better but don't hold your breath, just in case  

I've had numerous dealings with call centre staff and I've nearly always ended up phoning up again until I've been happy with their response.......in all instances, this has worked.

[smudgepickles]

I personally think the RSPCA are and should be responsible for the way calls are dealt with even if it means listening in on employees calls from time to time  (to keep them on their toes and dealing with them accordingly should they not deal with the calls with compasion and professionalism AT ALL TIMES. I'm afraid I have spoken to them as I said before and have got the "yeah whatever" attitude

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

Sorry Dawn but beg to disagree.

This is a call cenrtre working for the RSPCA and it is up to the RSPCA to get it working properly.

[Dawn (DiddyDawn)]

blimey hadnt realised that. so like all call centres theres some employees that know what theyre doing and some that really dont. i think the AARU is mainly manned by volunteers, not sure about the Cpl bt that could be why they were more helpful, either that or i was just lucky

This is what I keep trying to drum into people........they are paid to do a job, but not necessarily all are animal lovers.  The RSPCA get a lot of flak because of the way the call centre deal with calls, this is down to the call centre not the RSPCA.

If, when you phone the National Number, you are not happy with what they tell you, ring again and hopefully you will get someone who's human on the end of the phone and who is more than happy to help and give proper advice.........don't accept what they tell you the first time if it sounds like poppy fluffybanana.

[snarf]

blimey hadnt realised that. so like all call centres theres some employees that know what theyre doing and some that really dont. i think the AARU is mainly manned by volunteers, not sure about the Cpl bt that could be why they were more helpful, either that or i was just lucky

[Dawn (DiddyDawn)]

Hey, no offence.......when they are not doing the job they are meant to, these problems need highlighting.  I'm just asking as when you phone the National number, you are dealing with a call centre not the RSPCA.....these peeps get paid for doing a job but are not directly involved.....they are there to pass the info on to the inspectors and to give advice but sadly, they can't do this properly and quite often get this wrong.

[snarf]

national for 2 and 3 , 1 and 4 were the local number.i think. if i had called the wrong place though surely they should tell me?
if ive offended you (or anyone) im sorry, just sharing.

[Dawn (DiddyDawn)]

Snarf,  in these instances, was it the National number you called or the local branch?

[snarf]

i  find this news item terrifying.  i cant believe they havent sacked this guy but maybe with all this negative publicity the RSPCA HQ will have a rethink on some of its policies
i have only had a few encounter with the RSPCA but they havent come off well in any.
1) a few years ago there was a pigeon i kept seeing in town, with an obvious leg injury, huddled in the same corner, i rang the rspca 4 times, no action rang the AARU, picked up same day. i know its only a pigeon but it still has a right to a life without suffering
2) when i met my darling , lucifer, (possible stray) the RSPCA werent interested in taking any details of a found cat. i had to keep asking the woman to make note on their system. the CPL and AARU however took full details and many i hadnt thought about.
3) i saw a dead cat on the roadside. i rang the CPl in tears, the woman i spoke to was very understanding and took all the details, she also rang the council for me. the AARU also took all details. the RSPCA people couldnt seem to understand why i was ringing them. she just kept saying "so its, dead?" i understand that lost and found isnt their main function but for the sake of adding it into a computer system so if the owners start looking for him/her they will have closure, its not really a big ask is it.
4)i have a used but clean and functional hamster/rat cage i wanted to donate. the rspca pretty much told me to go forth and multiply. id have thought it might have been of some use, or at least a polite no thanks, we cant use that.
so ive not found them to be very caring and tbh, a wasted phone call. thats not to say every centres the same or every person that works for them.

[JackSpratt]

I do tend to agree with Dawn on that. It's not the organisation, it's specific people.

[Dawn (DiddyDawn)]

The sad thing is because of this idiot, the whole of the RSPCA will be tarred with the same brush yet again    There are good and bad in every job and if all the donations are withdrawn, what happens to all those poor animals that are already in their care?  The money has to come from somewhere to pay for them.

Smudge, I have come across some  who work for the CPL as well, so as already said, there is good and bad in every job.........we can't tar them all with the same brush.

[smudgepickles]

I have just read some of the comments and people are withdrawing their contributions to the RSPCA. Maybe they should re-direct some to the CPL who definatly could do with some funds for all their good caring honest work WHERE THE ANIMALS COME FIRST EVERY TIME

WELL DONE TO YOU ALL

XX

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

I am very pleased the papers are picking this up and looking at the comments to the paper, like Hels said many have had bad experiences with the RSPCA.

This is the first time to my knowledge............please correct me if I am wrong........thats the nationals have dared to openly criticise this organization, so hopefully now a push will be made to stop the cavelier attitude that their HQ, call centre and some of their inspectors have.

[hels]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=454396&in_page_id=1770&in_page_id=1770&expand=true#StartComments

made the daily mail today

[JackSpratt]

I've actually done placement at an RSPCA shelter for six months, Lindy and have to say I was extremely unimpressed by the staff and their attitude to the animals there. The bare minimum was done - the pens and runs were cleaned and the animals were put in the run from the pens. That's it. It probably took about an hour to do each block in total. The rest of the time the employees were basically loitering around being snidey about each other. (and me quite a lot!)

There was no socialising especially, and if a "problem" animal was brought in it was not given any time to try and fathom why it was behaving the way it was. The case that springs to mind for me was a 'semi feral' cat that was brought in, who I was made to wear gauntlets for if I went in his pen. I took them off after I was in there and sat on the floor with him and he was not only ridiculously unsure of what was happening, but also drinking vast amounts of water. I got them to test him and it transpired he was diabetic. He was given a short amount of time on the adoption block and then PTS. About a week after a gay couple came in specifying they wanted a house cat with a health issue to pamper and give lots of love to; I was really upset and cried a lot when I went home that night. And that's just one of the cases.

I even got left in charge of the cattery towards the end of my placement (entirely illegal, I was supposed to be supervised assistance)and I was really chuffed because after I'd done all the necessary cleaning, I'd put a sign on the door saying "caution-cat loose" and let each cat have time out of their pen wandering about where the visitors were. (This was safe as any cats with a transferable illness weren't kept on the section.)

I think it's a tough call, but the guy was blatantly too quick to make the decision on whether to end a cats life due to its age. I find that an inexcusable action. And yes, the neighbour could've done more but shouldn't she be able to trust the people who are supposed to care for an animals welfare to explore all possible avenues and then hold the animal before this sort of drastic action is taken?

[smudgepickles]

When I joined this forum I had no idea it was so anti RSPCA. I had  thought it was just about cats & cat rescue. How wrong can you be!
I am going to try not to visit any more because it is not doing my blood pressure any good.
Now as I see it this ACO pts a very elderly cat. He did not abuse/torture/abandon it though you would think he had reading some of the posts.
I assume the reason for starting this thread was to deliberate whip up more anti RSPCA feeling. People took the bait, & on the strength of one newspaper article  people seem prepared to act as judge, jury and executioner.
I don't know about anyone else but I don't take everything I read in the newspaper at face value. Yes is makes a good headline "Pet cat murdered by the RSPCA" but there is always more to it.
It is ironic that this is a case of an old cat and a neighbour  - just the scenario I suggested in another RSPCA thread.
As I said then I think some people call out the RSPCA too readily, if this next door neighbour had done what she should have done and asked around about the cat first this would not have happened. After all she would not have to look very far would she.

Of course she has received no criticism (not part of the RSPCA).  Why? We seem to live in a society where individuals want no personal responsibility. Far easier to just make a telephone call and put the ball in someone else's court. Much easier than having to walk up and down the road and actually do something. The RSPCA can do that they have all the time in the world.

The owner says the cat was fine but at 19 the cat could go down hill fast.
Who knows what condition the cat was in I did not see it, I do not know. I do know some people have very different ideas about cats health and welfare.  On a number of occassions we have had very old cats brought in to the cattery to be boarded and I have been shocked at their condition. Both Maureen, the cattery owner and myself have said If this were my cat I would have had it put to sleep yet the owners are prepared to let them carry on as long as there is breath in their body , no matter how frail, senile, thin or immobile they are.

Yes I get upset and annoyed because the criticism is nearly always aimed at "The RSPCA"  as an organisation and as someone who is a member of and does rescue work for the RSPCA I do take it personally. If you say The RSPCA is uncaring and incompetent you are suggesting I am uncaring and incompetent.

I am starting to realise what it must be like to be part of an ethnic minority and it isn't nice.

I really find this hatred of the RSPCA unfathomable. The vitriol should be aimed at those who abuse their animals/abandon their animals/neglect their animals/breed irresponsibly etc.

Do you actually have cats of your Own Lindy

Imagine you were Morks owner if you have cats

[smudgepickles]

How tragically sad for Mork to be taken away from his home to be MURDERED by a so called animal welfare officer. His little sister must be so sad and especially his Mummy and Daddy.
I have no sympathy whatsoever for the neighbour as she should have bothered to ask around first and foremost

I have twins that are 25 years old they have little teeth and are thin but like Mork and Mindy are loved and cared for and always will be until they leave for Rainbow bridge
The so called animal welfare officer should be sacked from EVER having a position like this again .

I have myself in the past telephoned the RSPCA relating to an injured fox, 3 starved ponies and a dog that we could see had such bad matting around its bottom and flies.... THEY NEVER CAME OUT TO ANY OF THEM I have no respect for them at all. I like anyone on here put my anmals first and foremost and the above s my opinion which I am entitle to

RIP little Mork play hard at the bridge
xx

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

Lindy - I'm amazed you think anything about this case is excusable.  I'm not anti rspca in general (ie I'm sure there are lots of good people working for them and individual branches that do good work) but there are too many of these kind of stories to dismiss them as one off mistakes.  I'm disappointed more than anything with rspca hq and with the organisation's apparent willingness to put healthy animals to sleep or rehome them with undue haste.

As I stated in my initial post, if the facts in the report are correct this particular instance is inexcusable.  Even the rspca do concede that the officer did not follow rspca procedure.  According to the article the cat wasn't in particularly poor health and the fact that he had no teeth seems to have been the main reason for the officer deciding the cat was unwell and should be pts there and then without even getting a vet to check him out.  The owner claims that his coat was in good condition and his claws were newly trimmed.  There's no indication that the cat was suffering and has been stated by others - a vet should be the person to decide that anyway.  I can't think of any justification for not a) getting the cat to a vet if the officer believed him to be unwell and b) returning to the area to ask around re ownership.  The cat was only in the neighbour's garden!  The reason no-one has criticised the neighbour is, presumably, because it states in the report that the neighbour was new to the area and I would assume she would have no idea that the cat would be pts there and then.   Yes she probably should have asked around before calling the rspca but she is not responsible for the cat's death.

In the past I've always been cautious of criticising the rspca or anyone else, especially based on 2nd or 3rd hand reports.  But this seems a clear cut case and the rspca are not denying the facts.   

I should also add that Desley recently posted a very favourable thread about her local rspca branch - we don't just post the bad stuff.

[hels]

I am starting to realise what it must be like to be part of an ethnic minority and it isn't nice.

I don't think you really are seeing that it's like to be part of an ethnic minority and I am offended you have used such a comparison to assume that everyone who is part of an ethnic minority feels like they don't fit in or their opinions are different to everyone elses.

I think what you are failing to realise is that yes this is a cat rescue forum and yes we all love cats. But you'll also find that at a guess over half of us have had a negative dealing with the RSPCA. I don't think you are really in a position to judge everyone on here because in life we all make our own opinions on things that happen to us and things we know about. I didn't read one thread about the RSPCA and decide to hate them overnight. I've heard so many cases and then last year personality helped on two cases and heard first hand of another about how awful the RSPCA are. If the  RSPCA had had their way one of my cats wouldnt be here today, it's only because of an angel of a member of staff putting her foot down and rescuing him, from a rescue.

The indendant RSPCAs are completely different from the HQ who I know for a fact that they pour thousands if not millions annually into trying to get us to give them money and sending idiots round to knock on our doors. When you give a donation you want it to help an animal not just be wasted on printing some fundraising literature.

Overall I don't think you are in a position to question how any of us feel, if you'd seen the cases we'd seen, heard the horror stories and gasped at disbelief at the UK's "top" animal charity, perhaps you would change your mind.

[DaveD]

If anything, many of us are disappointed with the orgaisation, not just for letting animals down, as in this most recent case, but for letting their own members and supporters down. Every time a story like this appears, it betrays the reason the RSPCA was founded, and even if these cases are in the minority, as I hope and believe, very little seems to be done to try and prevent further "mistakes".

[Tiggy's Mum]

When I joined this forum I had no idea it was so anti RSPCA. I had  thought it was just about cats & cat rescue. How wrong can you be!
I am going to try not to visit any more because it is not doing my blood pressure any good.

The forum is certainly not anti RSPCA, individual members raised their concerns about RSPCA policies and documented incidents that have taken place.  I'm sorry that you feel that you don't want to use this site any longer, I have different opinions to others on this site but am still able to visit despite our differences of opinion and I hope you will come to that same decision.

Now as I see it this ACO pts a very elderly cat. He did not abuse/torture/abandon it though you would think he had reading some of the posts.
I assume the reason for starting this thread was to deliberate whip up more anti RSPCA feeling. People took the bait, & on the strength of one newspaper article  people seem prepared to act as judge, jury and executioner.
I don't know about anyone else but I don't take everything I read in the newspaper at face value. Yes is makes a good headline "Pet cat murdered by the RSPCA" but there is always more to it.

Whilst I agree the headline of the article could be seen as inflammatory the facts of the case are clear as detailed in the response from the RSPCA itself, they admit that a 'mistake' was made and indeed the individual involved has been the subject of disciplinary action.

It is ironic that this is a case of an old cat and a neighbour  - just the scenario I suggested in another RSPCA thread.
As I said then I think some people call out the RSPCA too readily, if this next door neighbour had done what she should have done and asked around about the cat first this would not have happened. After all she would not have to look very far would she.

Of course she has received no criticism (not part of the RSPCA).  Why? We seem to live in a society where individuals want no personal responsibility. Far easier to just make a telephone call and put the ball in someone else's court. Much easier than having to walk up and down the road and actually do something. The RSPCA can do that they have all the time in the world.

Yes, the neighbour could have been more proactive in locating an owner herself but her intentions were only good, I personally cannot see how any 'blame' could be laid on her shoulders.  It was an individual acting under the banner of the RSPCA that made this 'mistake'.  The neighbour purely voiced her concerns.

The owner says the cat was fine but at 19 the cat could go down hill fast.
Who knows what condition the cat was in I did not see it, I do not know. I do know some people have very different ideas about cats health and welfare.  On a number of occassions we have had very old cats brought in to the cattery to be boarded and I have been shocked at their condition. Both Maureen, the cattery owner and myself have said If this were my cat I would have had it put to sleep yet the owners are prepared to let them carry on as long as there is breath in their body , no matter how frail, senile, thin or immobile they are.

Please see my previous post, my 19 year old who I sadly lost very recently was 'old and thin'.  She had a good quality of life, was happy and purred her little head off every morning while we cuddled up on the pillow - my vet saw no reason to advise PTS on the basis of age and weight.

Yes I get upset and annoyed because the criticism is nearly always aimed at "The RSPCA"  as an organisation and as someone who is a member of and does rescue work for the RSPCA I do take it personally. If you say The RSPCA is uncaring and incompetent you are suggesting I am uncaring and incompetent.

I am starting to realise what it must be like to be part of an ethnic minority and it isn't nice.

I really find this hatred of the RSPCA unfathomable. The vitriol should be aimed at those who abuse their animals/abandon their animals/neglect their animals/breed irresponsibly etc.

I'm sorry that you are taking other people's opinions on the organisation of the RSPCA personally, I can assure you this is not the case.  I myself don't recall ever commenting on a thread about the actions of the RSPCA in the past, this particular incident has touched my heart and I feel terribly sorry for Mork and his owners, this does not mean that you should feel attacked by my or any other persons comments about the RSPCA in general.

[forever_missing_my_boys(Lisa)]

im sorry but i agree with lindy about the rspca they aint that bad! are they !?!

but this story about the officer putting to sleep someones much loved cat is a disgrace i agree.

[Ela]

When I joined this forum I had no idea it was so anti RSPCA. I had  thought it was just about cats & cat rescue. How wrong can you be!

We are not anti RSPCA, but if they or indeed any rescue does anything that is not right it is and needs to be reported and discussed. I have seen posted bad comments about CP occasionally, but I don't take it to heart, I just advise what our branch would have done in the situation and perhaps how the matter can be resolved. We cannot just praise the good  a rescue does but bury our heads in the sand when something goes wrong and keep quiet.

The owner says the cat was fine but at 19 the cat could go down hill fast.

It could, equally it could have had a few more years of quality life, just because a cat is old it does not mean it has less right to live than a younger cat. Sadly simlar situations  like this are reported up and down the county on a regular basis. I know I too have be advised of such cases more than once.

he vitriol should be aimed at those who abuse their animals/abandon their animals/neglect their animals/breed irresponsibly etc.

Could it not be called abuse if you PTS a pet before a vet decide its time has come?

As I said then I think some people call out the RSPCA too readily, if this next door neighbour had done what she should have done and asked around about the cat first this would not have happened. After all she would not have to look very far would she.

I have to agree that people do often call a rescue when they could solve a problem themselves very quickly, however, the bottom line is if they can't be bothered we need to do something. Also we must not discourage people from contacting rescues as very often it is a genuine emergency.

Why? We seem to live in a society where individuals want no personal responsibility. Far easier to just make a telephone call and put the ball in someone else's court. Much easier than having to walk up and down the road and actually do something. The RSPCA can do that they have all the time in the world.

We in rescue choose to help the little ones because we want to make a difference, we cannot make others have a responsibilty and  what they do with their time is up to them.

[Reynard]

Lindy, I can see what you are getting at. However...

This particular incident revolves around the fact that the person who euthanised this particular cat did not have the authority to do so - irrespective of whether they were an RSPCA employee or otherwise. According to procedure, the cat should have been taken to a veterinarian to be examined had there been any concerns whatsoever about its health an condition - this officer should not have taken matters into his / her own hands.

The decision whether to euthanise should lie solely with a qualified veterinarian and be only carried out with the full permission and consent of the owner.

[Tiggy's Mum]

This is apalling, the owners must be devastated. 

How on earth this person came to the decision that this cat, with no visible illness or injury, was ill and suffering and euthanized on that basis purely because he was old and thin is unthinkable.  Tiggy went to the vets every month in the last 18 months of her life, she was thin and clearly elderly but had no obvious injury or illness, and I might add a good quality of life - not once in all those times was it suggested or advocated that she be PTS.  How an individual of a supposed caring society could think differently beggars belief. 

RIP Mork x

[Lindyloo]

When I joined this forum I had no idea it was so anti RSPCA. I had  thought it was just about cats & cat rescue. How wrong can you be!
I am going to try not to visit any more because it is not doing my blood pressure any good.
Now as I see it this ACO pts a very elderly cat. He did not abuse/torture/abandon it though you would think he had reading some of the posts.
I assume the reason for starting this thread was to deliberate whip up more anti RSPCA feeling. People took the bait, & on the strength of one newspaper article  people seem prepared to act as judge, jury and executioner.
I don't know about anyone else but I don't take everything I read in the newspaper at face value. Yes is makes a good headline "Pet cat murdered by the RSPCA" but there is always more to it.
It is ironic that this is a case of an old cat and a neighbour  - just the scenario I suggested in another RSPCA thread.
As I said then I think some people call out the RSPCA too readily, if this next door neighbour had done what she should have done and asked around about the cat first this would not have happened. After all she would not have to look very far would she.

Of course she has received no criticism (not part of the RSPCA).  Why? We seem to live in a society where individuals want no personal responsibility. Far easier to just make a telephone call and put the ball in someone else's court. Much easier than having to walk up and down the road and actually do something. The RSPCA can do that they have all the time in the world.

The owner says the cat was fine but at 19 the cat could go down hill fast.
Who knows what condition the cat was in I did not see it, I do not know. I do know some people have very different ideas about cats health and welfare.  On a number of occassions we have had very old cats brought in to the cattery to be boarded and I have been shocked at their condition. Both Maureen, the cattery owner and myself have said If this were my cat I would have had it put to sleep yet the owners are prepared to let them carry on as long as there is breath in their body , no matter how frail, senile, thin or immobile they are.

Yes I get upset and annoyed because the criticism is nearly always aimed at "The RSPCA"  as an organisation and as someone who is a member of and does rescue work for the RSPCA I do take it personally. If you say The RSPCA is uncaring and incompetent you are suggesting I am uncaring and incompetent.

I am starting to realise what it must be like to be part of an ethnic minority and it isn't nice.

I really find this hatred of the RSPCA unfathomable. The vitriol should be aimed at those who abuse their animals/abandon their animals/neglect their animals/breed irresponsibly etc.

[Ela]

When I found out our Council did not have a reader I was just about to contact them and ask if they would have one if we provided it, when they went and purchased one themselves. [