In at the deep end! My first week at the RSPCA

In my first week as an RSPCA press officer I learned some surprising facts:

• You can discover exactly what breeds make up your dog by a sample of their saliva

• The RSPCA is more than 180-years old and pre-dates the police

• Some people think it’s a good idea to dye their pets and ‘fur-jazzle’ them.....

But the thing that struck me most, and will stay with me forever, is my discovery during an induction chat with Tony Woodley, the RSPCA inspectorate’s communications and liaison officer, how many incidents each RSPCA officer deals with on a daily basis.

I already found it staggering that the RSPCA handles 1.2 million calls a year, but when I saw in black and white how those calls are shared amongst just 340 frontline staff, it really brought it home to me what a never-ending mission the inspectors, and the Society, faces.

I met with lots of other RSPCA staff and departments during my first week.

I was shown stomach-churning photographs of emaciated dogs by staff in the prosecutions department, discovered that rats need their tails to control their body temperature during my chat with the companion animals department, and learned from the wildlife team that meerkats do not make good pets.

At the end of the week I had a bulging notepad of information and links to reports, guides and sections of the RSPCA website I need to read through to build up my knowledge of animal welfare and the RSPCA’s work.

I have come to the RSPCA from a very small company of just two people. so it will take me some time to get used to working as part of a larger organisation - and remember everyone’s names and what they do!

But now I can better appreciate how all the different departments have a vital part to play.

It’s clear from everyone I have spoken to, no matter which department they work in, that their number one priority is always improving animal welfare.

I’m really looking forward to playing my part in that team effort raising awareness of the RSPCA’s goals and ambitions to help animals.

Cat Peerless, RSPCA press officer

Helping animals in danger - 400 feet up

Many moons ago - long before I entered the world of journalism and even longer before I entered life in the RSPCA press office - I worked for a year between school and university as a structural draughtsman and technician.

As someone who has never been the greatest fan of heights, perhaps the one moment that sticks in my mind was gingerly climbing to the top of a ladder and clinging onto an open bathroom window as if my life depended on it, as I attempted to take a measurement under the eaves of a house somewhere in Shrewsbury.


It was this rather obscure memory that came flooding back to me as I visited RSPCA inspector Richard Abbott recently on the glorious West Wales coast, to record a podcast all about his experiences as a key member of one of our rope rescue teams.


My ‘daredevil’ activities paled in comparison to Richard’s as he regaled me with tales of abseiling down 400ft cliffs above the crashing waves to rescue seabirds, and clambering down steep banks of loose shale with the prospect of being squashed by falling rocks and boulders to reach stranded livestock.


When you mention the RSPCA to most people, they immediately - and understandably - think of the fantastic work done by our rehoming centres, or our inspectors dealing with animals left in poor conditions as so often seen on television shows like Animal 24/7 and Emergency Animal Rescue.


Many don’t realise the vast levels of specialist expertise within the charity, especially in dealing with such potentially dangerous situations as faced by rope rescue teams, like those described to me by Richard.


Like all RSPCA inspectors, most of his time is conducted investigating complaints of cruelty across his patch that stretches out from north Pembrokeshire all the way up to south of Aberystwyth and across into mid Wales.

Due to the landscape of the area he covers though, he is called out to lead rescue operations to reach animals that find themselves stranded on perilous terrain that is often been previously untouched by humans before.


In his career as an RSPCA inspector he’s rescued all manner of animals using his rope rescue skills. From horses to sheep frightened down cliff faces by walkers’ dogs along the coastal paths, to dogs themselves whose over-adventurous nature sometimes finds them stranded.


It was just as I was bringing the interview to an end with Richard that he summed up the whole thing perfectly though. For him it makes no difference whether he has to rescue a hedgehog trapped down a drain or spend hours planning the safe recovery of a sheep stuck on a mountain ledge, bringing in fellow rope rescue trained inspectors from far and wide.

The situation makes no difference to him; the fact remains that they are both animals in danger. They might be worlds apart in terms of size and predicament, but they both need rescuing and that’s exactly what the RSPCA’s inspectorate does. 24 hours a day. 7 days a week. 365 days a year.

Andy Robbins, senior RSPCA press officer

Animal welfare is good for business

One of the things that has changed the most – and for the better - since I joined the RSPCA press office 10 years ago is a shift in consumer attitudes to animal welfare.

Consumers now know they can demand products that have been sourced and produced with animal welfare in mind, and companies recognise that animal welfare makes good business sense.

I can remember a time when it just didn’t occur to people to buy free range meat or to find out what the new coat they were buying was made of.

They just picked up a pack of chicken breasts from the supermarket shelf or item of clothing off the rack and were happy not to make the connection between the product they were buying and the fact that it came from a living animal.

Why have things changed? Well, I think TV programmes showing how farm animals are reared and slaughtered have helped raise awareness, and of course the RSPCA Freedom Food label has helped people make a higher welfare choice without having to spend much more on their weekly shop.

Supermarkets now actively advertise their higher welfare and free range products, and there are an increasing number of ethical fashion companies and retailers, with major clothing chains developing impressive ethical and traceability policies.

I think the fact that so many companies, large and small, enter the RSPCA’s Good Business Awards every year shows that they know that animal welfare is good for business and that they’re proud of the work they’re doing.


The awards were set up in recognition of the achievements of companies in the fashion and food industries that achieve higher standards of animal welfare.

Watch out for this year’s winners once they’re announced on 5 October and in the meantime, why not vote for the supermarket you think does the most for animal welfare in the RSPCA People’s Choice Award? The Co-operative, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s and Whole Foods Market have all been shortlisted.

Of course there’s still a lot that needs to change, from the way businesses operate to the way people shop, but I think we should be pleased with and proud of progress made in the last decade – I certainly am.

Helen Coen, senior press officer

Time for action on circuses.

from Katya

One of the key issues I have been involved with over the past few months is the campaign to get a ban on wild animals in travelling circuses – a campaign which is at a critical stage.

We think that gawping at animals such as elephants, lions and tigers performing tricks in circuses is an outdated and unacceptable form of ‘entertainment’, especially since they are likely to suffer in this environment.

And we are not alone. A month ago MPs from across the political parties agreed with us and voted unanimously for a ban at a high-profile debate in the House of Commons.

They spoke passionately about the issue and against government plans to introduce a licensing regime instead of a ban – and we were delighted that something looked as if it was finally going to happen.

However, we have since heard worrying reports that despite this vote the government may still not be going ahead with plans for a ban. This has made us extremely concerned and we are calling on the government to act.

The issue of wild animals in circuses is one that has struck a chord in many people. A government consultation showed that 94% of the want a ban and there was widespread upset after heart-rending footage of Anne the elephant being abused by one of her keepers at a circus was revealed.

But it is not just animals like Anne that we need to be concerned about. The issues involved with wild animals in circuses go deeper than outright abuse.

Research has shown that the conditions necessary to meet the welfare needs of wild animals are simply not feasible in circuses – where frequent travel, restricted movements, poor living conditions and loud noises are a regular part of daily life.

The animals spend most of their time confined to enclosures where they pace up and down for hours on end. They are transported in beastwagons, which have to be a certain size to be allowed on roads, and housed in temporary cages, typically ¼ of the size of those recommended in zoos.

Some animals are simply tethered to a peg on the ground – unable to move a few metres or socialise with others.

And all in the name of 'entertainment.'

Katya Mira

RSPCA press officer

Tales from England and Wales

Me and my dog Xabi

from Sophie 

The RSPCA has seven extremely dedicated regional press officers throughout England and Wales, covering a whole range of issues, from appeals for information and court cases to rehoming stories.

Recently, we’ve welcomed Lowri Jones into our midst as the new part-time press officer for Wales, who joins Gethin Russell-Jones in our Cardiff office. Lowri brings a wealth of experience to the role and we wish her all the best for her future at the RSPCA.

So, it makes sense to start this round up with Wales and a momentous case for RSPCA Cymru. A man from South Wales was fined £2,000 for using an electronic shock collar on his border collie. This was the first prosecution brought under the Animal Welfare (Electronic Collars) (Wales) Regulations 2010.

Dawlish kitten with animal care assistant Clare Pigeon

In the South West, a tiny kitten was found tied up in a carrier bag and dumped on Dawlish beach. The ginger and white kitten has been named Pebble by staff at the RSPCA Little Valley Animal Shelter in Exeter. He was healthy but traumatised and joins the many cats in RSPCA care which desperately need new homes.

This time of year is always difficult with lots of kittens being born and many unwanted cats and kittens coming in. We urge people to consider getting a rescue cat and remember RSPCA adoption fees usually include neutering, microchipping, full veterinary checks, worming, flea treatments and any vaccinations so please contact your local branch or centre for the cat of your dreams!

The RSPCA in the South East urged people to pick up their litter after a six-week-old little owl was brought into the charity’s Mallydams Wood Wildlife Centre in Hastings after eating part of an elastic band. Richard Thompson, wildlife rehabilitation team manager at the centre, said: “A rubber band could choke an animal so it’s lucky this little owl was found.”

The North region is trying to find fosterers for dogs involved in court cases. Many dogs have to remain in kennels until cases finish, which can take many months. To find out how to foster one of these dogs and offer them a normal life in the short term, please contact the RSPCA Great Ayton Animal Centre in Middlesbrough or RSPCA Felledge Animal Centre in Chester le Street.

Also this week a mother and son were banned from keeping cows, pigs, sheep, goats, donkeys, horses and mules in Selby. RSPCA inspectors found dead and dying animals at their property. RSPCA inspector Laura Barber said: "This was a terrible case which involved very long periods of suffering and the deaths of a number of animals.”

In the East region, a goose was discovered in Norfolk with severe injuries, thought to have been caused by a blunt instrument having been driven through its breast area.

Anyone concerned about an injured, sick or suffering animal should contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.

Badger update

The long-feared badger cull was confirmed this week by Defra. The RSPCA believes that the problem of bovine TB in cattle needs a sustainable and effective solution which is supported by scientific research. Such a solution does not lie in this cull.

RSPCA supporters can express their outrage at this decision by going to Facebook.com/rspca and taking part in the ‘Tag and Share’ campaign.

Coming soon!  RSPCA 24/7 Tweet-a-thon – the first 24 hour tweet session from our frontline staff...3 August... #RSPCA247

A step back for lab animal welfare?




Helen Coen, senior RSPCA press officer

 

One of the hot topics I’ve been working on this week is the use of animals in research and testing.

On Wednesday the Home Office released new statistics showing that the number of scientific procedures using animals has topped 3.7 million in the UK for the first time since the current law regulating lab animal use came into force in 1986.

Here in the RSPCA press office we’ve been speaking journalists about our concerns that despite the fact that the public is consistently told that experiments using animals are only ever undertaken ‘where absolutely necessary’, we’ve seen an astonishing 37 per cent increase in animal use over the last decade. But whilst the numbers of animals used is very important, a really big concern is how much these animals actually suffer.

The story has appeared in lots of newspapers, websites and blogs, which is great news as I think many people don’t realise that animals are used in so many different areas of research and that such a large number of animals are involved.

Those representing science and industry often attempt to reassure the public by claiming that the UK has the ‘strictest regulations in the world’ and that ‘everything is done to the highest possible standards’. So you’d think that they’d want to keep these standards. But some of these same people are now lobbying for many aspects of the law to be watered down to the minimum baseline set by a new European directive on animal experiments.

Whilst these new EU controls will certainly represent a step forward for a number of other European countries, they fall short in many areas of what we have had here in the UK for a number of years.

Despite having the freedom to maintain our standards where they are higher, there is little convincing evidence that the UK Government will choose to do so. It could mean reduced government and local controls on animal use in the UK, lab animals being allowed to suffer ‘long-lasting, unalleviated, severe pain, suffering or distress’ and some animals such as dogs could be kept in even smaller housing.

Because of this, the RSPCA is campaigning for the current UK standards to be maintained at the very least. I’m passionate about this campaign as I think it’s really important for the public to know the facts.

I also think most people expect there to be tough controls on animal experiments, given the suffering they can cause.

I’ve already responded to a Home Office public consultation which is asking people how they think the directive should be implemented in this country.

If you’d like to take part in the consultation or find out more, there’s lots of information and tips on how you can help on the RSPCA’s Give Animals A Voice campaigning website.

Meanwhile, you might like to watch our fantastic new animation and also take a look at my colleague Penny Hawkins being interviewed on CBBC Newsround!

And if you are interested in finding out more about the issue of animals in research and testing more generally, you can find lots of great stuff on the RSPCA website.

Helen Coen, senior press officer

Au revoir to Jude...and welcome back Henry!

Well, we all owe Jude a huge thank you for all her work, and wish her very success in her new job. Battersea Cats & Dogs Home is such a well-respected organisation and one which the RSPCA already has a very close relationship with, so everyone here is delighted that Jude’s considerable skills will continue to further the animal welfare cause.

As for me, well although I’ve been running the RSPCA Press Office since 2005, the last nine months have been spent on a sabbatical break away from work. I’ve had the incredible privilege of travelling around the world with my partner, and our trip included such diverse experiences as helping rehabilitate cheetahs in Namibia, swimming with wild dolphins in New Zealand and even working as a security guard at an elephant festival in Laos.

So returning to the world of emails, budgets and even the office printer has been a bit of a culture shock. But it’s also been a great opportunity to have a fresh look at what we do, and fantastic reminder of how much the RSPCA and all animal welfare charities do every single day.

So many people think the RSPCA is just about cats and dogs, but we work for all animals, and the range of work we do is vast.  In just the last couple of weeks, we’ve won a symbolic and powerful vote in the House of Commons on wild animals in circuses, and been on most of the front pages with the investigation into the deaths of two police dogs.

Coming back has also reminded me how hard-working and dedicated the RSPCA Press Office team are. I am so proud of them for many reasons, not least because on any given day they have to handle the most demanding of enquiries, and sometimes the most bizarre of questions.

The press office is possibly the only place where on any given day you’ll be dealing with stories about dumped guinea pigs, cat poisonings, baby bats, a drowned dog, baby seals, a stranded gannet, and some lost cows – all at the same time.

I still remember my first day in the press office... and a journalist called up demanding to know what we thought of “cheetah-friendly beef from Namibia”. I can’t remember what I told him, but at least six years later I can say I’ve been there, and now I know the answer!

Henry Macaulay, head of press at the RSPCA