Flaming RSPCA!

Well done for trying to do the right thing, sorry you got a nobler on the phone!! Hope little deer made it to safetly. I have little faith in the RSPCA-had a call out for a stray cat at my old home, me and my mum had been feeding him, but we couldn't take him in as he was aggressive to us and our other cats-didn't want him to starve though. So called RSPCA, inspector came out and said cat wasn't stray felt around his balls and abdomen and said he was neutered, and well fed (even though we mentioned we had been feeding him) so wouldn't take him in......had to try not to smirk when cat wrapped himself around the inspectors legs with claws and teeth a go go!!
 
Read the OP - if they had bothered to take the message, inform me of their principals of engagement or just generally shown any interest at all, then I would have understood. The attitude was of "Not Interested!".

This is the first time I've approached the RSPCA, in the past I've always taken an injured animal/bird to the vet and paid for it to be treated. This was not an area that a deer should have been in. It was dangerous both to the deer and to anyone driving down that section of road. I would have made a donation had they helped/explained/etc. and the OP would have been different. Horses roam around the New Forest, but any getting onto the main road (Portsmouth to Ringwood) would have been rounded up and repatriated.
 
TBH I think this thread would be better directed to 118 than the RSPCA.
The charity shop worker was clearly not the appropriate person to deal with your call. In an ideal world sure they should have been more helpful but
- they might have been a volunteer (typically retired person or someone who can't get paid employment)/shop worker rather than an animal expert
- they may well not have had the knowledge/switchboard facilities to redirect your call
- as some others have said healthy deer run wild over many areas of the country with very busy/fast roads. From muntjacks (sp?) in London to red deer in Scotland they take their chances :-(
 
MrsM - I totally agree, they are a waste of space really. they are one of (if not the) wealthiest charity in the UK, and seem to spend all their time scrounging. Why don't they spend some of their funds on useful tasks like helping 'endangered' (by which I mean those in danger, rather than rare) animals?

whoever mentioned them having a political fund... don't even get me started!! If they stopped interfering with the rural communities way of controlling pests we would be less likely to see incidents like those poor kids that got bitten by a fox. They are so far up... i mean, removed that they just don't get how the world works.

someone once told me they had called the RSPCA cos a family of badgers had taken up residence under their garden shed and got told that they would have to live with it as they couldn't do anything cos of HSE regulations about handling badgers. :eek:
 
Tickles said:
TBH I think this thread would be better directed to 118 than the RSPCA.
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Indeed.

Volunteers can be very tricky, many are fab but some are frankly loose cannons. It's not fair to have a go at a whole huge organisations based on one stupid volunteer though.
 
Six baby foxes.
Found in a haystack, watched for several days and their mother had clearly abandoned them. They were about a week old. Took them in and fed them lamb's milk and put them in a box next to the aga. Phoned RSPCA and they said
they would not take them as they were warm and fed. What? so we're meant to hand rear them and make them so tame they can't cope in the wild?? hmmmm . Five weeks we had those ruddy foxes until a guy from WALES!! (we're in the east midlands!) came and fetched them and took them to be released into the wild once they were old enough. The RSPCA wouldn't even give us any contact numbers.


Someone once threatened to report me to the rspca and I laughed and said "good luck".
 
jenhunt said:
MrsM - I totally agree, they are a waste of space really. they are one of (if not the) wealthiest charity in the UK, and seem to spend all their time scrounging. Why don't they spend some of their funds on useful tasks like helping 'endangered' (by which I mean those in danger, rather than rare) animals?

whoever mentioned them having a political fund... don't even get me started!! If they stopped interfering with the rural communities way of controlling pests we would be less likely to see incidents like those poor kids that got bitten by a fox. They are so far up... i mean, removed that they just don't get how the world works.

someone once told me they had called the RSPCA cos a family of badgers had taken up residence under their garden shed and got told that they would have to live with it as they couldn't do anything cos of HSE regulations about handling badgers. :eek:
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Er.. how exactly did the hunt ban cause the fox attack in London? Urban foxes are not hunted with hounds :confused:

It's hardly the RSPCA's fault that you can't disturb badgers, they aren't "in charge" of wildlife.

Also, they are not the wealthiest charity in the UK. I think the big thing to note here (and sorry, I'm not targetting anyone in particular) is they are a charity- they do rely on donations and are limited in manpower. They are also limited by laws, a lot of animal programmes on tv show American officers breaking down doors/confiscating animals etc but these officers are LAW ENFORCEMENT officers. Remember all the posts saying things like "I've been reported to RSPCA because my horse is too thin/wearing a fly mask/not being given hay etc" and the officers turn up and inspect? I can imagine a lot of time is spent on pointless calls like that and they do need to follow up on things.

That said, charity shop "worker" could have been more polite but as mentioned previously she was probably a little old lady who likes cats and spends her time knitting scarves for her 6 old moggies. Not to generalise! ;)
 
Mrs M - sorry you found my last sentence insensitive, I am pretty straight forward so may come across as blunt :-) Ideally this charity should be good with owners too of course, and in an ideal world nobody should have to wait. But if they were busy when Horsehead's cat had already passed away I don't see how they were supposed to prioritise grieving owners over the animals that were still alive and in pain... it is the rspcA not the rspcO so their particular job is to put the pets first.
 
Perhaps the RSPCA could produce a list with the phone numbers of which government agencies/charities that may help in the case of different animal types/scenarios in a given area - I would print it out and put a copy in the car and on the yard if it was available.
 
tasel said:
I don't know what the RSPCA do - what do they do with a lot of their money???
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Spend it on taking people to court (alot of which get found to be not-guilty). They manage to spend £100million a year, would love to know the full break down of where this money goes. I mean their legal team alone must cost a fortune.

From what i read they dont even follow their own procedures and dont always work within the guidelines of the law but who can you complian too?? They are too big for their own boots. I would call any of the other animal charties over them.
 
Farrierlover said:
Er.. how exactly did the hunt ban cause the fox attack in London? Urban foxes are not hunted with hounds :confused:
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I'm not suggesting that the ban was entirely to blame, but that it is a contributing factor. It was part of my arguement for showing how out of touch the RSPCA are.

I have seen so many more foxes since the ban came into force and know of a significant increase in the number of incidents of chicken/duck/guineafowl massacre in my local (rural) area alone that are down to foxes. The increased numbers in rural areas puts strain on the amount of territories available, meaning that the weaker foxes end up being pushed closer and closer to human habitation and becoming reliant on dustbins, birdtables, cat food etc for their food.
 
Yes, I agree with the comments about 118. You asked (I assume) to be put through to the charity to speak to a welfare advisor - Not a shop worker.

Yes the worker is branded under RSPCA but it is not her job to then call up and make the call for you, you of could asked her to find the number of the actual welfare department and then made the call again to report the deer. She works in a shop, she does not take in or deal with calls for the welfare officers to sort out. It would be like me calling up my mortgage department and then asking them to pass a message on the my personal bank, even though it's under the same name, doesn't mean they communicate or can deal with the each others departments, as they cannot.

Having said that, there is simply no reason to be rude about anything especially as you were a member of the public at least trying to help - She should of tried to help or at least explain why she was not able to take the message for you.

I am not massively fond of the RSPCA and I have used them in the past and been annoyed and i have also used them and been relatively pleased. The problem is they are huge, they do not have that personal care or touch that often smaller local welfare organisations have.. But they are trying to help.. they cannot do everything at a drop of a hat. I should imagine they are so busy it must be manic.

xxx
 
Farrierlover said:
Also, they are not the wealthiest charity in the UK. I think the big thing to note here (and sorry, I'm not targetting anyone in particular) is they are a charity- they do rely on donations and are limited in manpower. They are also limited by laws, a lot of animal programmes on tv show American officers breaking down doors/confiscating animals etc but these officers are LAW ENFORCEMENT officers.
Not entirely true as if they WANT to get laws enforced all they need to do is get a member of the police force to attend an animal with them and they can enter ppl's properties, convisgate animals as well as the american officers you talk about.
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ive also had problems with thr rspca

short story
tethered colored mare had foal in middle of housing estate ,it became ill ,mare stopped feeding. loads of people rang them ,they did nothing.
the foal eventually died.

so called rescue center ,taking in horses in any state/age
if mare putting in field with colored stallion and selling young stock
lots of foals/ youngsters died or born with deformed limbs
all had strangles
if geldings taken in ,they were left till owner stopped visiting then sold as ridding horses
its was very upsetting watching this all unfold and being able to do absolutly nothing !

but i had them banging on my front door shortly after the 1st case wanting to look in my back yard, they had a call to say there was a dead dog in a bin liner
it was one of those giant stuffed lions from a fair ground id thrown out lol
at least they came out eh!
while they were here i did mention foal and how disapointed i was with them ,they had no answers
 
To be honest at first i found it annoyingly disgusting when i found out how the RSPCA has been reacting with the calls they receieve....however i didn't want to say anything as i have not had too many dealings with them and i definatley dont know enough of their workings to comment....

But i know i would like to comment on FarrierLover's comment....no the RSCPA are not law enforcement officers...Why?
Our country will allow animal abuse to continue because like most things there is too much paperwork and effort required to get them into court to get a conviction....even if you get them in court there is still a low percentage that the person responsibile will be convicted.

Why don't we have a part of the law enforcement which can be like you see on 'Animals cops' where we can fight for the animals and it will be done fairly but justice would be done??

The same reason as why we cant hunt....country is turning to rat poo!

Sorry....rant over! :o
 
bexwarren24 said:
Farrierlover said:
Also, they are not the wealthiest charity in the UK. I think the big thing to note here (and sorry, I'm not targetting anyone in particular) is they are a charity- they do rely on donations and are limited in manpower. They are also limited by laws, a lot of animal programmes on tv show American officers breaking down doors/confiscating animals etc but these officers are LAW ENFORCEMENT officers.
Not entirely true as if they WANT to get laws enforced all they need to do is get a member of the police force to attend an animal with them and they can enter ppl's properties, convisgate animals as well as the american officers you talk about.
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"All they need to do"? Do you reckon that's easy then? And do you think that all police officers know one end of an animal from the other? I doubt that even a police officer can just storm in and confiscate someone's pet just because they don't believe it's being looked after properly. You can't even get a police officer out to a burglary unless it's still going on! Dratted police, too busy charging people with speeding offences :mad: Maybe we should call in Scooby doo?
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Farrierlover said:
bexwarren24 said:
Farrierlover said:
Also, they are not the wealthiest charity in the UK. I think the big thing to note here (and sorry, I'm not targetting anyone in particular) is they are a charity- they do rely on donations and are limited in manpower. They are also limited by laws, a lot of animal programmes on tv show American officers breaking down doors/confiscating animals etc but these officers are LAW ENFORCEMENT officers.

"All they need to do"? Do you reckon that's easy then? And do you think that all police officers know one end of an animal from the other? I doubt that even a police officer can just storm in and confiscate someone's pet just because they don't believe it's being looked after properly. You can't even get a police officer out to a burglary unless it's still going on! Dratted police, too busy charging people with speeding offences :mad: Maybe we should call in Scooby doo?
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Yes, for that very reason. The police rely on what the RSPCA say as truth, they have to take their words and the words of vets as fact. Every animal that has been taken into RSPCA care is actually by law in care of the police. So they obviously do have some powers.

I hope they couldnt storm in and just take someones pet if they THOUGHT it wasnt being looked after properly but if they have the word of an expert then they can. I dont mean bashing down doors, etc but police have powerful persuasion over ppl.
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good point by farrierlover - it may be hard to get the police to come out if people aren't at risk. If they are pressed for resources, which they most likely are, surely animals are likely to be far down their list of priorities.
 
_CJ_ said:
good point by farrierlover - it may be hard to get the police to come out if people aren't at risk. If they are pressed for resources, which they most likely are, surely animals are likely to be far down their list of priorities.
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Maybe its an area thing but the police around here never seem very pressed, you make one call and you get 3 cars turn up for an arguement in the street.
 
RSPCA are a bloody waste of time! Our vets practice wont even deal with them they have had such bad experiences with them!

I rang them once and would never ring again - didn't ring me back I know they went out and what was said!

They are only interested in the big cases that get them lots of publicity and donations coming in!
 
Haven't read all the replies, but I'm shocked they were rude to you and that definatley needs a complaint to be made.

I personally have not really had much with them, except when a pigeon got stuck in the hallway and for 2 days didn't leave and wouldn't be caughjt, and pigeons smell and have diseases, so jad to call them and they come and took it away.

But I'm surprised they wouldn't respond to a deer on a dual carriageway... Have you seen the damage they do to a car when you hit one?!?! Peoples safety sounded like it may have been at risk, so I imagine the police would at least have a look for it.
 
Hate to say but they get worse not only do they not respond to call outs they also don't perform effective animal evaluations on the animals they wish to rehome. I took 2 dogs from our local RSPCA suposidly good with dogs, cats, small animals, small children, used to busy home environment and very strong on lead. Had them for 3 weeks solved pulling probs but they were not as described - hated other dogs, cats, got into guineapig hutch killing both guineapigs, could open cupboards and fridge... but the icing on the cake was when they both attacked my young cousin (drawing blood - had to have stitches) because he had a packet of crisps. Took them straight back recommended that if they did try and rehome them again to do it separately but would have preffered them to be pts as completely untrustworthy. Their response... we can only go on what previous owners have said when they go to new homes but we will add your comments to their records??? I was under the impression that they do their own independent evaluation on behaviour/temp not rely on prev owners... If I do take on another rescue dog it will be from a small less known charity not a big name.
 
Interested that a lot of people wonder what the RSPCA spends its money on. I think James Gray spent a lot of their donations don't you? I know they didn't rehome them all, the the charity was instrumental in his prosecution...
 
the the charity was instrumental in his prosecution...
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Indeed they were - but they are the only Government supported charity that can actually bring a prosecution against someone....... The WHW for instance or the Horse Trust would find it very difficult to to do this.

As for Spindles generally, if you understand the history of what happened there, you will also understand how preventable it was - by, funnily enough, the RSPCA.
 
jenhunt said:
I have seen so many more foxes since the ban came into force and know of a significant increase in the number of incidents of chicken/duck/guineafowl massacre in my local (rural) area alone that are down to foxes. The increased numbers in rural areas puts strain on the amount of territories available, meaning that the weaker foxes end up being pushed closer and closer to human habitation and becoming reliant on dustbins, birdtables, cat food etc for their food.
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TBH id say the total opposite! around here the gamekeepers have gone all out since the ban and got as many as they can!!! They arnt being saved for the hunt anymore!!! they get whatever they can! not just gamekeepers too, farmers and lampers etc
 
'but they are the only Government supported charity that can actually bring a prosecution against someone....... The WHW for instance or the Horse Trust would find it very difficult to to do this.'

There is nothing legally stopping WHW or anyone else from bringing legal action under the Animal welfare act, obviously cost has a lot to do with it though and I guess they choose to spend their funds helping directly and leaving prosecutions to the RSPCA and local authorities.
 
I dont like them either, they did much the same to me once with a swan! I was driving along the A12, got up by Chadwell Heath and traffic was going along very slowly. The swan was walking along the middle of the A12 as if it was meant to be there.
I called the RSPCA and they said there was no one that could deal with it and it wasnt an emergency, the swan would find its way home as they mate for life.
Luckily I had a old duvet in the boot of the car (which was a hatchback) and managed to throw the duvet over the swan and pick it up, put it in the back of the car with the seats down and took it to Hollow Ponds, which is nearby and I presumed it came from.
They are pretty much a usual charity and one that I dont give money too.
 
Take a note of the RSPCA's main number and keep it handy 0300 1234 999 (cruelty and advice line). I do agree with comments read though that they cannot responde to every call out but they could at least offer some advice and other assistance. Maybe we should write them a letter outlining all of our concerns and see what response we get back, maybe they just don't realise how much the public looks up to them.
 
Well I am not going to comment on the RSPCA here but just want to make a point in general. What about good customer service? I too work for a charity (helping disabled people get back into work) and quite often people ring or call into the office for things that are totally unrelated to the work I do but I always try to be as polite and professional as possible and go out of my way to help as much as I can, as do all my colleagues. Surely that is what should have happened here? In the interest of good customer service the call could and perhaps should have been made?

Just food for thought.

Hugs to you Mrs M x
 
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