Which was quite unfair. They are a very low income family who struggled to pay for their pet being neutered and injected, and there was no deliberate intent to breed - the critter kept escaping. I know, because she learned to open our front door, and comes and keeps me company sometimes. So they knew were to eventually find her. :)
Nor had they set out to make a profit. When they offered pups to homes, people would offer them money - as we did for Sigma. They didn't ask for money.
I found out when the lady when the RSPCA phoned me. The head of the family, obviously upset at being reported, told her I'd be happy to confirm they look after their pets. Indeed I was. More, I was able to tell her they'd even go without food themselves to feed them. I know, because Bear keeps an eye on them, and we find little ways to help out. Daft softie is my Bear.
The good news is the lady from the RSPCA closely questioned them, and satisfied the couple of dogs and a cat they have are otherwise well cared for and well fed, made an appointment for them all to be neutered at a local vets, giving them over £300 in vouchers to pay for neutering and vaccinations.
In return, they were able to point the RSPCA to a local pet shop which able to supply pet food at a rate almost 50% cheaper to the public than the local RSPCA branch are paying retail !
So no. Not illegal. Irresponsible somewhat, but not illegal. I personally think if you can't afford pets - don't have them......
~~~~~~~~~
Trixie :) Trixie, Sigma's sister, if you remember from a previous post, the nibbler, chewer, and destroyer of female underwear, socks, slippers and anything else (Yeeuk!) we re-homed to a family with a car and access to the countryside.
The family, mum, dad and two lads of 8 & 10, had a pet stolen, and wanted a replacement. After initial resistance from hubby, (the word 'free' works wonders) he reluctantly agreed. Trixie has been passed from pillar to post because of her nibble habit.
Anyhow, seems they like to walk for miles through woods and fields, (hyper kids, mum says) and around the Derwent and Ladybower dams. Hubby knocked on my door yesterday. I thought "Uh, Ho". But no. He says Trixie was a bit nervous for a couple of days (pee'd on their bed).
They'd planned to get a 'doggy cage' so she didn't chew at night. But, he explained, she's followed him all over, loves to run in the woods. She's discovered if she jumps in a river she can cause havoc amongst ducks, and she shouldn't mess with sheep. Tried to give one a lick apparently. Bad move. Sheep won.
She sleeps on the bottom of their bed, and hasn't nibbled a thing. Only thing he would complain about is a wet sloppy tongue up his nose when the alarm goes off. Nibbles? Not once.
She's due to be neutered and chipped next week, and embarrassingly, he shoved £50 in my top pocket to pay for the vaccinations we'd done. Worth every penny, he says. Then he opened my front door, whistled, and we were flattened by a ball of wet slobbering fur that hammered around my living room knocking everything over.
Cool :)
The family, mum, dad and two lads of 8 & 10, had a pet stolen, and wanted a replacement. After initial resistance from hubby, (the word 'free' works wonders) he reluctantly agreed. Trixie has been passed from pillar to post because of her nibble habit.
Anyhow, seems they like to walk for miles through woods and fields, (hyper kids, mum says) and around the Derwent and Ladybower dams. Hubby knocked on my door yesterday. I thought "Uh, Ho". But no. He says Trixie was a bit nervous for a couple of days (pee'd on their bed).
They'd planned to get a 'doggy cage' so she didn't chew at night. But, he explained, she's followed him all over, loves to run in the woods. She's discovered if she jumps in a river she can cause havoc amongst ducks, and she shouldn't mess with sheep. Tried to give one a lick apparently. Bad move. Sheep won.
She sleeps on the bottom of their bed, and hasn't nibbled a thing. Only thing he would complain about is a wet sloppy tongue up his nose when the alarm goes off. Nibbles? Not once.
She's due to be neutered and chipped next week, and embarrassingly, he shoved £50 in my top pocket to pay for the vaccinations we'd done. Worth every penny, he says. Then he opened my front door, whistled, and we were flattened by a ball of wet slobbering fur that hammered around my living room knocking everything over.
Cool :)
4 comments:
Be careful of the RSPCA they are a strange organisation that can be very vindictive. Take a look at these links and you will see what I mean.
RSPCA-Animadversion
http://rspca-animadversion.org.uk
SHG
http://the-shg.org
RSPCA Injustice Blog
http://www.rspcainjustice.blogspot.com/
SHG Press Releases
http://the-shg.org/SHGPressReleases.htm
Aye, I'm aware that they, shall we say, take a rather liberal interpretation of the law nowadays.
They are, after all, a charity and nothing more than a collection of private individuals.
Yet I have come across reports of them persuading the police to collect people and and 'supervise' interviews at police stations.
But has been no act act of Parliament or law or statute that gives them that right. They have no exclusive access to the police or police services, and no more rights than other private individuals.
If anyone wants to show that I'm wrong, feel free to correct me.
Don't be confused though, between those animal protections that are in law, and any organisations right to enforce them.
In this case, I was pleasantly surprised that the lady who spoke to the family was genuinely concerned and more than helpful. Which is as it should be.
They provide a useful service, and it would be a much sadder place without them - as long as they don't go over the top.
But yes. Point taken. I'm usually very cautious about Anon posts, but I'm allowing this because it brings a very useful caution. Cheers :)
I'd just like to add that the RSPCA are in no way connected with government and receive no government funding. They are a privately funded organisation.
Their influence on government policy comes only from the sheer lobbying weight of those that donate to them.
That is a right of any collection of individuals, whatever their (legal) funding or their cause, and I'm all for it. It's called Democracy.
As with any private organisation, any objections I may have come only when they operate under an assumption of power under the law that is not based in fact.
I'll be off to read your links in a minute or two, Anon :)
good post, glad the family sorted things out, there are good and bad sides to all organisations.
Josie x
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