RSPCA shuts it's doors to strays and unwanted animals

and those animals who can no longer be cared for due to their owner's ill health, death or change of circumstances.

This is a sad, sad day.

There is no explanation on the RSPCA website to this major change of policy.

We are no longer able to take in stray cats, dogs, equines or farm animals. If you find a stray animal please follow the advice below:

• Dogs – contact your local authority.

• Cats – visit our stray cats pages for more information.

• Equines and farm animals – contact the police.

Now I gather the RSPCA like other animal welfare charities receives no government funding which makes this policy change even more bizarre, because all they have done by shutting their doors is push the problems onto other animal charities such as - Cats Protection League, Hillside Animal Sanctuary, Dogs Trust and even the SSPCA - the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The Scottish SPCA is entirely separate from the RSPCA, which operates in England and Wales only. There is no such charity as the 'RSPCA Scotland' or 'Scottish RSPCA'!


As someone who has supported the RSPCA over the years I am astounded, shocked and saddened at this change of policy - we have had both cats and dogs from their branch at Radcliffe on Trent - and was never happy that they only housed animals for 7 days before putting them to sleep, but now to just shut their doors is shameful.

A huge thank you to Hillside Animal Sanctuary for putting this information into the public domain.

Hillside already take in around 75,000 animals each year so the RSPCA shutting it's doors will only increase that figure, if you can make a small donation and help Hillside, please do so here and help them today.

Nottinghamshire Police dog handler to face prosecution

The RSPCA have finally confirmed that the Nottinghamshire police officer who allowed two police dogs to die is to face prosecution.

The two german shepherds would have basically boiled alive, what a tragic and painful way to die. A real tragedy.

I have blogged about this a few times, firstly was when the story first broke, then the statement from the Nottinghamshire Police and then when the BBC reported the police officer was to face prosecution. The reason I have blogged about this is because of how angry this made me.

A spokesman for the animal welfare charity said: "The RSPCA can confirm that following the deaths of two police dogs in Nottinghamshire on 30 June, legal proceedings will be brought against a Nottinghamshire police officer for causing unnecessary suffering to the two animals."

One thing that still winds me up is that Nottinghamshire Police have said the handler could also be banned from keeping animals, could, COULD, he bloody well should never be allowed an animal to care for ever again full stop!

According to the RSPCA the police officer will soon receive a court summons before attending a Magistrates Court.

Let us hope he pleads guilty to this horrendous crime.

Police officer to face prosecution over dog deaths

I first blogged about this back on the 2nd July when the story broke and then again, here, on the 3rd July.

Now, according to the BBC website the Police Officer responsible is to face prosecution.

A police spokesperson said: "Following a review of the circumstances into the deaths of two police dogs, Nottinghamshire Police has taken the decision to suspend the police officer involved.

The Met Office said it reached 28.1C (82.5F) in Nottingham on 30 June.

The RSPCA has said the force reported the incident to them on the day it happened and had co-operated with the charity in the investigation.

Anyone convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal could face up to six months in prison and a £20,000 fine.

I still, a month later am so angry about this, and really do hope that the Nottinghamshire Police Force hold its nerve and go all the way with this prosecution.