The RSPCA is a registered charity that does not receive state aid but is funded entirely by voluntary donations and legacies. It aims to work for a world where human beings respect animals and live harmoniously with them. They are aided in their mission by inspectors and animal collection officers who work 24x7 in the welfare of animals.
The
RSPCA is run by a Council of 25 members, elected from among its members.
Services offered: They inspect cases of suspected cruelty, any illegal acts towards animals such as cruelty, organized dog fighting, badger baiting, hunting or wild bird trapping.
The RSPCA’s Advice centre offers seasonal advice on how to look after animals in the winter and to check for signs of bluetongue. This
RSPCA Centre offers pet care to domestic pets, and birds, farm animals, reptiles, fish, amphibians, etc. Its umbrella of advice extends to offering advice even to garden wildlife such as birds, snakes, foxes, hedgehogs, baby animals, frogs, toads, etc.
It also has a Farm animal welfare line (0870 753 8333) for support to farmers and livestock owners. Over the years, it also has developed the authority to prosecute those who break the law towards animals. For this, it works with local politicians in local bodies, Wales, Westminster and the European Union and develops policies on animal welfare.
Another interesting activity of the
RSPCA is rehoming. Each year, the organization rehomes about 70,000 animals which are either dumped or abused or unwanted. Anyone looking for a pet can obtain one from this organization and save a life. So far, it has put up horses, ponies and rabbits for adoption.
Making donations: The RSPCA functions on donations and voluntary help. To make donating easy, it accepts donations by Direct Debit, credit or debit card. You can also make a monthly donation of as little as £3 a month for animal rescues or £5 a month to fund its inspectors.
Donations are also accepted in the form of legacies, payroll giving and gifts. An employee can authorize its company’s payroll department to deduct a regular sum from his or her pay each month. Or one can use the
RSPCA Gift Aid scheme to donate as little as £1 so that the RSPCA can receive 28p from the Inland Revenue at no extra cost to the donor.
Network: Thanks to all its pioneering and dedicated work, the RSPCA comprises a network of 172 branches, run separately as charities under the aegis of the
RSPCA and its branch rules. Today, this organisation is so highly respected that it can be accessed at any of its nine animal welfare centers, 52 animal centers, 34 clinics, four state-of-the-art wildlife centers and 188 shops.
In addition, its successful work has also taken it out of the UK to neighboring Europe where
RSPCA maintains a very high profile and has served to give teeth to the animal welfare legislation in the European Union since the UK joined it in 1973. Now, this organisation works together with Eurogroup for Animals, a noted animal welfare group.
