Issue 158

RSPCA: Raising Awareness

22nd October 2007

Kate Fletcher spent a day volunteering with the RSPCA and writes about the issue of animal cruelty, along with essential steps to take to ensure the health and fitness of your new pet.

Following the implementation of the new Animal Welfare Act, which, after years of intensive campaigning, finally came into force in March this year the RSPCA began a new initiative in the Townhill area of Swansea.

Inspectors made door-to-door visits in and around the local community, talking to residents about the new law and explaining what is involved. The Animal Welfare Act "requires anyone who is responsible for a pet to do what is reasonable to meet their welfare needs." This includes making sure your pet has a proper diet, including water; making sure your pet has somewhere suitable to live and if it needs to be housed with, or apart from, other animals, this is taken into consideration; making sure your pet is allowed to express it's normal behaviour; and protecting your pet from pain, suffering, injury and disease.

Community Animal Action Week ran from Monday 15th October until Friday 19th October in Townhill Community Centre. The RSPCA was working alongside The Dog's Trust, who were issuing free vouchers for dogs to get neutered and microchipped. Neutering your pet is vitally important to their well-being, not just for preventing unwanted puppies but, if left untreated, it can pose a health risk to the animal. Unneutered older dogs are in danger of developing testicular cancer, whilst females can contract pyometra (an infection of the womb) and mammary tumours. Unneutered males are sometimes more violent, which can result in dog fights. The RSPCA's objective was to raise awareness about how important this issue is and to encourage local residents to take up the offer of free neutering.

The Dogs Trust also offered free worming, flea treatment and microchipping, but in order to promote neutering operations, these other treatments were only available as part of a neutering package, unless the dog had already had the operation. The RSPCA were issuing vouchers for cats and other animals to be treated. Whilst some people believe that it is 'a dog's right' to be left unneutered, it is important for pet owners to be aware of how many unwanted, homeless animals there are in the UK. In rural areas, if a neighbour's dog gets a farmer's bitch pregnant, a farmer will often have no qualms about disposing of the puppies in an inhumane way.

Rehoming centres such as Llys Nini RSPCA Centre in Penllergaer, Swansea, and The Dog's Trust in Bridgend, are inundated with puppies and kittens needing homes. A lot of the time, there just isn't enough homes for the amount of animals. Putting down a healthy animal when a home cannot be found is a heartbreaking, but sometimes unavoidable occurrence.

When buying a new dog from a breeder, be alert to the reality of puppy farms. Unfortunately, there are a lot of breeders out there who are in the business just for the money. A lot of the time, puppies bought from puppy farms are kept in abysmal conditions and will be sold to you when they are in ill-health. The farm owners are solely concerned with making a profit. Whilst the RSPCA is working on closing down any remaining puppy farms in existence, it is useful to bear in mind when you are buying a puppy from a breeder - only buy from a reputable breeder, avoid buying from breeders who advertise different breeds for sale, make sure you see the mother, and if possible both parents, when you go to visit the puppy, and never buy a puppy from a market, pet shop, or car boot sale. Don't buy an animal if you feel sorry for it because it looks ill; instead report the establishment to the RSPCA.

Leaving your animal unneutered because you think it is better for the animal is a misguided belief, and the RSPCA's new initiative aims to change this perception. Microchipping is similarly important to increase the likelihood of your pet being returned to you if it is lost or stolen.

The RSPCA always appreciates help from volunteers. However much time you can spare, you can get involved with campaigning, fundraising or helping in your local shop or rescue centre. For more information about the RSPCA visit www.rspca.org,uk. Click on 'How you can help' to learn about becoming a volunteer or to make a donation. For more information about The Dog's Trust, visit www.dogstrust.org.uk.

If you think that an animal is being mistreated or is injured, report it to the RSPCA by calling the cruelty line on 0300 1234 999.

Kate Fletcher