Securing bright futures for animals

Securing bright futures for animals
Welcome
2015 has been a time of great pride for the
RSPCA. Our unique rescue and rehabilitation
work helped us to secure bright futures for
even more animals, with several going on to win
prestigious titles such as Rescue Pony of the Year
at Equifest, and Public Service Animal of the Year
at the Animal Hero Awards. All animals are unique
and special to us, but when they go on to
achieve amazing things after a tough start in life,
we feel a huge sense of pride. And not just in the
animals, but in all the incredible, devoted people
who work tirelessly to make it all happen.
Whether it’s tackling the puppy traders, taking
positive steps to reduce the number of horses
in our care or getting to grips with a kitten
crisis, we are not afraid to tackle the issues
that impact on the welfare of animals. It won’t
happen overnight – after all, we’ve been doing
this job for more than 190 years – but with every
year that passes, further progress is made in the
prevention of cruelty to animals.
We are proud the RSPCA brings together so
many good people; those who can see the
wonderful nature of animals, and yet appreciate
how vulnerable they can be. For so many
neglected and abused animals, the RSPCA is their
only hope of a release from suffering and the
opportunity of a secure and happy future.
In these challenging financial times it is
heartwarming to know that so many of you still
value the work of the RSPCA and continue to
give so generously to help us carry out our vital
and lifesaving work.
Thank you for your support in 2015.
David Canavan
Acting Chief Executive
W HO W E A RE A ND W H AT W E D O
ANNUAL REVIEW 2015
we will take
action for animals
We are the animal rescuers. Every day our inspectors and other dedicated staff save all
sorts of animals from all sorts of situations. Whatever it is and wherever it is, we will take
action for animal welfare. Once again the year ended with devastating floods, with the
north of England hardest hit. Our dedicated flood trained staff were out in force, not
only saving animals, but also helping people affected by these terrible events.
Fantastic flood rescue
Storm Desmond struck in December, leaving the residents
of Cumbria and Northumberland devastated for the
second time in a decade. Four RSPCA flood rescue teams
with specially-trained officers took to the streets rescuing
animals and people affected by the disaster. Cats, dogs,
rabbits and even chickens were all saved, mainly from
residential properties where their owners were forced to
evacuate the rising flood waters.
As well as helping animals, our flood teams also assisted
the other emergency services and in just one week had
rescued 36 people. Among them was a semi-conscious
elderly man who had to be stretchered out of a nursing
home in Carlisle and transported on one of our boats,
before he was taken to hospital.
In the first few days after the flood we received 77 calls
about flooding incidents, and a further 20 flood trained
RSPCA officers were sent to help with the ongoing
rescue operation.
Increasingly exotic
Bearded dragons are becoming increasingly popular pets,
but owners quickly realise they are hard to care for and
many end up at the RSPCA.
Two bearded dragons that were dumped and left to
die in a cold London stairwell were brought back to life
when we intervened. The animals were left on concrete
steps in a block of flats and were so cold and lifeless
the RSPCA inspector thought they were dead. But, after
being carefully warmed, given a hearty meal and some
water the reptiles slowly began to show signs of life
and went on to recover and find new homes. In 2015 we
received 680 calls concerning bearded dragons – a 5.8
percent increase from 2014. Although exotic animals can
easily be bought, sadly many sellers give little or no care
information on exotic animals’ complex needs, which has
led to widespread neglect. We are addressing this issue.
Sheep saved
In West Sussex a flock of sheep was attacked by two
dogs, leaving two sheep dead, several injured and one
in need of rescue. The scared sheep had tumbled down
a steep bank into a lake, where she remained trapped
in water up to her stomach. Despite searching for her
after the attack, the farmer didn’t find her until she was
spotted two days later. “We found her shivering by the
water’s edge – cold and anxious, but unharmed. Her legs
had become entangled in something at the bottom of
the lake, but once I waded in I managed to get her loose,”
says RSPCA Inspector Andrew Kirby (pictured left).
118,994
animals were
collected
and rescued
in 2015
www.rspca.org .uk/rescue
New home for Toby ❙ Toby was stabbed nine times, but recovered and was rehomed by RSPCA Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Branch.
PAGE FOUR
W H O W E AR E AN D W HAT W E DO
ANNUAL REVIEW 2015
preventing cruelty and
protecting animals
Wherever possible we try to improve animal welfare through advice and assistance –
sometimes people just need time to make improvements to their standards of care.
This is very successful and in 2015 we issued thousands of advice and warning notices of
which more than 90 percent were acted upon. But sometimes this approach is just not
possible, or appropriate, if there has been a deliberate act of violence against an animal,
an extreme case of neglect, or people simply won’t accept our help. In these cases, we
will consider prosecution using laws such as the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Not only does
this stop the suffering, we hope it deters other people from harming animals in future.
Stabbed cat rehomed
A cat owner’s drunk son stabbed the family cat, Toby,
nine times while he was supposed to be looking after
the terrified tabby for his mother. Afterwards he called
the police to tell them he had downed 15 pints and
needed a vet. The police discovered blood on the kitchen
cupboards and floor as well as on a five-inch steak knife.
RSPCA Inspector Mick Darling took Toby to a vet where
he was given pain relief and sedated so the extent of
his injuries could be found. He had suffered multiple
stab wounds, consistent with being held down during an
attack. The defendant said he had been carving chicken
when Toby had scratched him. The defendant was
banned for life from keeping all animals, given 12 weeks’
imprisonment (suspended for one year) and £260 costs.
Thankfully Toby made a full recovery and was rehomed
by RSPCA Chesterfield and
North Derbyshire Branch.
Dog close to
death is saved
Belle the American bulldog
had been starved so badly
by her owner that a vet
was convinced she would
have died in the next
24–48 hours without help.
RSPCA Inspector Anthony
Joynes found her collapsed
at a house in Birkenhead,
Merseyside and had to
carry her into the veterinary
surgery. Her bones were sticking out and she had masses
of excess skin, suggesting she had recently lost a
lot of weight. Inspector Joynes said she was the
skinniest dog he had ever seen alive.
Belle’s owner said he did not think her condition was
serious but admitted he had probably not fed her enough.
She weighed just 11.6kg, about half what she should have
weighed. He was banned from keeping any animals for 10
years, given a 16-week custodial sentence (suspended for
one year), a 16-week curfew, and a one-year supervision
order. He was ordered to pay £881.30 costs.
After two months of care, Belle more than doubled her
weight – her only ‘treatment’ was a proper diet. She has
since been found a loving home.
Ponies dug out of stables
Three ponies trapped inside stables for more than a year
had to bend down to look out of the door due to a
five-foot mound of muck inside. Daisy, a cremello mare,
Paddy, a spotted blue-and-white pony stallion and Jack, a
black stallion, had to be dug out by RSPCA Inspector Chris
Shaw and the Fire Service.
In 2015 we
investigated
143,004
cruelty complaints
and secured
1,781
convictions
All four of Daisy’s hooves
curled upwards (see X-ray
left). She had not seen a
farrier for at least four years
and a saw was needed to
remove 16 inches of hoof.
Paddy and Jack also had a
number of health issues and
sadly, despite treatment,
they were put to sleep on
veterinary advice. Daisy was
rehomed by RSPCA Gonsal
Farm Animal Centre.
The ponies owner admitted
she knew they were suffering
but had done nothing.
She was given a life ban on keeping all animals (except
dogs and parrots), 16 weeks’ imprisonment (suspended
for one year), 100 hours unpaid work and ordered to
pay £250 costs.
To find out more about our prosecution teams’ work, visit: www.rspca.org.uk/prosecution
and scroll down the page to view the RSPCA Prosecutions Annual Report 2015.
PAGE FIVE
and the
hard work continues
We carried out
273,240
microchippings,
neuterings and
treatments
in 2015
Once an animal comes into our care, that’s when some of the hard work begins. They
may have been rescued from cruelty and neglect, be injured or sick, caught up in a major
incident or simply unwanted and abandoned. Our hospitals and clinics provide vital
medical treatment and care for sick and injured animals, with the offer of recovery and
a new start in life – whatever their history. Injured wild animals are treated by our four
wildlife centres and hospitals, each with their own specialist teams providing care and
treatment, with the overall aim of releasing the animals back into the wild.
Show pony
Seal release
A foal who was left to die at the side of a road has
gone on to win PRP Horsebox Rescue/RSPCA Rescue
Pony of the Year at Equifest, one of the UK’s largest
equine events. Gizmo was found emaciated, lice-ridden,
dehydrated and suffering from pneumonia at the side of a
road. But just six months later, after life-saving treatment,
physiotherapy and loving care, Gizmo (pictured above)
trotted off with the top prize at Equifest, beating more
than 60 other horses and ponies. The amazing vets who
cared for him went on to adopt him.
Two grey seal pups that were nursed back to health at
RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre have been released
back into the wild off the Gower coastline. The seals
needed several months of care after they were rescued
from Pembrokeshire when they were only days old.
Although both have limited vision in one eye due to an
infection, studies show they can still thrive in the wild
as their whiskers are their most important hunting tool.
Both have been tagged so we can identify them if we
see them again.
We took a number of rescue horses along to Equifest and
found loving homes for 12 of them.
www.rspca.org .uk/rehabilitation
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W H O W E AR E AN D W HAT W E DO
ANNUAL REVIEW 2015
16,302
wild animals
were admitted
to our wildlife
centres in 2015
Tawny journey
In April and May, RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre had
a large influx of young tawny owls ranging from week-old
nestlings to older birds that had been brought to the
centre by our inspectors and members of the public.
The different aged birds were grouped together and hand
fed with tweezers until they were old enough to feed
for themselves. They were later put into the flight aviary
where they remained for at least two weeks until they
were fit and ready for release. The birds were released
in pairs during August and September, when wild-reared
tawny owls are also looking for territory of their own.
The young ones
Very young animals need round-the-clock care, and that’s
exactly what staff at RSPCA Bryn-y-Maen Animal Centre
provided for eight puppies found abandoned in a litter
bin. The mastiff-crosses, three males and five females,
were discovered in a bin in Queensferry, Deeside, and
were so young that some still had their umbilical cords.
They were bottle fed every two hours, day and
night, until they were old enough to move onto
solid food. They were quickly reserved and all have great
new forever homes.
Zero to hero
When Stella the Staffy arrived at
RSPCA West Hatch Animal Centre she
was untrained, very excitable and
would jump up. During training, staff
began playing retrieve games with her
and soon discovered her fantastic ability
to search and find. Avon and Somerset
Police snapped her up as a police dog
and in July she took part in a raid
where she discovered a secret
stash of £25,000.
In October she
was voted Public
Service Animal
of the Year at
the Animal
Hero Awards
(read more on
page 14).
www.rspca.org .uk
.uk/rehabilitation
/rehabilitation
PAGE SEVEN
Delphine goes home ❙ Blind springer spaniel Delphine was callously abandoned, but thankfully now has a fantastic forever home.
PAGE EIGHT
W H O W E AR E AN D W HAT DO
ANNUAL REVIEW 2015
getting ready
for a new life
Our main aim when an animal comes into our care is to prepare them for their new life in a
forever home or release them back into the wild. Some animals are easier to rehome than
others, but all deserve our best efforts as many have already been through so much in life.
In our care animals are checked over by a vet, vaccinated, neutered, microchipped and
given any treatments they may need. Every animal is different and our rehoming teams
pride themselves on matching the right animal with the right owner. During 2015 our
rehoming work was highlighted in ITV’s Give a Pet a Home – see page 14 for more.
Remarkable transformation
Delphine (pictured left), had little reason to wag her tail
when she was first rescued by the RSPCA. The blind
springer spaniel had been tied to a pallet of bricks and
left to die in a remote lane. Our Animal Welfare Officer
took Delphine straight to RSPCA Leybourne Animal
Centre, where initially she had to be carried, as she was
so weak and disorientated. The Centre staff trained her
to respond to simple voice commands and set about
finding her very special owners who could cope with her
condition. Delphine grew in confidence, and life further
improved when she was rehomed by a
couple who had spotted her story on
Facebook. Leybourne Centre staff
are overjoyed at Delphine’s
incredible transformation.
Lucky Loo-Loo
Alongside the thousands
of pets and wild animals
the RSPCA rescues every
year are the
hundreds of
farm animals we help. They have either been rescued
by inspectors investigating complaints of cruelty and
neglect, or have been abandoned. Loo-Loo, a thirsty
chicken discovered drinking out of a toilet in a casino,
hit the jackpot when she was rehomed by one of the
RSPCA’s hen welfare experts. We don’t know if Loo-Loo
was lost or abandoned but she was in a very poorly
state when we found her. Thankfully, Loo-Loo is now in
a home where she is being properly cared for, with all of
the resources she needs to get back to full health and
behave just as a hen should.
A stable future
A neglected horse described as one of the worst cases
ever seen by the RSPCA has settled into her forever
home in Essex. Lara was found close to death in April
2015, tethered by a chain to a hillside. The one-year-old
skewbald filly was less than half her ideal weight, and by
the time the RSPCA located her with police and a vet,
she had almost collapsed. But just four months later,
Lara moved into her new home with adopter Hannah
describing her as “a special, loving horse who’ll be with
me forever”. Lara’s story is sadly not uncommon as the
RSPCA and other horse welfare charities are struggling
to cope with the number of abandoned, neglected and
abused horses.
Our animal
centres and
branches gave
47,651
animals a second
chance of a new
home in 2015
Special branch
As separately-registered charities, each RSPCA branch
raises money to deliver vital, animal welfare services
locally. Just over 40 percent of all the animals taken
in by our branches in 2015 came into care via the
RSPCA inspectorate – this greatly supports the
Society’s work to prevent cruelty in the rescue
and rehabilitation of the most vulnerable animals.
These animals, including those whose owners
are taken to court, often require more intensive
rehabilitation, so finding forever homes is our
primary concern and maintaining our rehoming rates
is a huge achievement.
www.rspca.org .uk/rehome
PAGE NINE
taking action
when we need to
One of the ways we lead in animal welfare is by undertaking powerful campaigns,
something our founders wanted us to do when we were set up. Our aim is to
prompt political and behavioural change on a range of animal-related activities.
But to do this we need support – from our supporters, politicians, governments,
decision-makers, businesses and people who work with and own animals. In 2015
we led campaigns that will better protect pets and wildlife, farm animals, animals
in entertainment and those used in research. More than 130,000 people – who also
want to make a difference to animals’ lives – are signed up to our campaign network.
Huge success of Homes for Horses
Bid to scrap the puppy trade
Thanks to the hugely successful Homes for Horses
campaign, the number of horses in RSPCA care fell to
its lowest level since the crisis began in 2009. The aim
was to reduce the horses in our care from 1,000 to
500 and in July 2015 we exceeded our goal with
491 horses, though the wet weather pushed this back
up to 550. Through 2015 we rehomed 427 horses, and
a further 164 are on probation, our best ever figures.
In May the Control of Horses Act became law in
England, making it easier to remove horses that are
being illegally fly grazed. This brought England into
line with legislation passed the previous year in Wales.
Puppy trafficking is big business with unscrupulous
dealers getting rich and leaving a trail of dead puppies
and heartbroken families in their wake.
Strong support for RSPCA Cymru
Animals and their welfare are exceptionally high in
the public consciousness in Wales and support has
remained strong for RSPCA Cymru campaigns. In 2015
this resulted in the introduction of new Regulations
protecting breeding dogs and their puppies; massive
mobilisation of support against the use of wild
animals in circuses and the majority of Councils
banning the release of hazardous sky lanterns on their
land. Thousands of emails were sent to Assembly
Members urging them to introduce compulsory
microchipping of dogs, and this came into force in
April 2016, at the same time as in England.
Hunting Act vote abandoned
Our largest campaign took place in July as the UK
Government tried to amend the Hunting Act in
England and Wales to increase the number of hounds
allowed to chase an animal. More than 154,000 emails
were sent to MPs via the RSPCA, and our Facebook
reach extended to 6.8 million. Actor Ricky Gervais
retweeted our campaign to 10 million followers. The
result was the UK Government abandoning the vote
just hours before it was due to take place – we are
urging the government to shelve future amendments.
In 2015 we launched a campaign to scrap the puppy
trade, with a petition urging the Westminster
Government to act urgently and introduce a Puppy
Dealers Act in England. When similar legislation was
introduced in 2013 to tackle the scrap metal industry,
it was transformed virtually overnight.
We were delighted when the UK Government
decided to review the laws on the puppy dealing
trade and sale in England, and hope the law will be
tightened up to improve conditions for dogs being
bred and sold and ensure that poor welfare largescale dog breeding and trading will become a thing
of the past. The new puppy breeding legislation in
Wales will come under close scrutiny to determine if
further measures, such as those under consideration
in England, are needed.
International impact
In 2015 we built on our animal welfare education
projects in Asia delivering courses to 300 school
heads and teachers in China, and training education
teams in South Korea.
We won a substantial UK government grant to
help Malawi combat the illegal trade in ivory from
elephants and rhinos, through the training of
officials and police.
Our inspectors and prosecutors also worked to
improve animal rescue and law enforcement with
partners in Hong Kong, Japan and Taiwan. In Turkey
we co-hosted the International Companion Animal
Management Coalition conference, promoting
humane methods of cat and dog management
around the world.
Reaching new people ❙ An RSPCA cat neutering campaign ran during the kitten season and focused on hard-to-reach audiences.
PAGE TEN
WHO WE A RE A ND W HAT W E DO
ANNUAL REVIEW 2015
Kitten neutering to tackle crisis
Urgent action was taken to increase neutering rates and
reduce the number of cats that end up in animal centres.
A neutering campaign run during kitten season focused
on hard-to-reach audiences and a Facebook campaign
promoted neutering and deterred owners from allowing
their pets to have a first litter. Some RSPCA branches ran
discount cat neutering events. In partnership with other
cat welfare groups – including Cats Protection – a kitten
neutering database was launched, to encourage vets to
start neutering kittens at four months old.
www.rspca.org .uk/campaigns
PAGE ELEVEN
informed by
sound science
We aim to ensure that everything we do and say about animals is properly informed by science and
practical experience, harnessing the expertise of our four science teams: Farm animals, Companion
animals, Research animals and Wildlife. Improving welfare from birth to death and questioning aspects
of animal use are at the heart of our work. The teams work locally, nationally and internationally,
offering advice and expert help to anyone who is responsible for the welfare of animals.
Some of 2015’s highlights include:
◗ Working with a range of organisational
stakeholders and the University of Bristol
to create a new 10-point vision statement
to improve pet rabbit welfare.
◗ Continuing our ground-breaking initiative
promoting practical ways towards ending
severe suffering for laboratory animals.
◗ Training specialist Canine Focus
Inspectorate Officers to provide advice
and information on investigations relating
to problems around the breeding, dealing
and trade of puppies.
◗ Developing evidence-based practical
ways of improving hen welfare and
encouraging best practice by bringing
together experts from the farming
industry and academia to establish the
Laying Hen Welfare Forum.
PAGE TWELVE
◗ Producing new licensing conditions
and advice for specific species to meet
the needs of the increasing number of
reptiles and amphibians coming into
RSPCA centres.
◗ Helping the European Commission
produce guidance for member states
on how they should best regulate
animal experiments.
◗ Strengthening RSPCA welfare standards
for pigs in indoor breeding units
prohibiting close confinement and
requiring more space, and for farmed
ducks with information from research
funded by the Tubney Charitable Trust
and outlined in our report Watertight.
◗ Launching a new range of engaging
materials to help cat and dog owners
understand their pet’s body language.
◗ Submitting a response to Defra’s
consultation on proposed changes to
licensing conditions for badger culls.
◗ Launching a new resource to help
members of animal ethics committees
effectively challenge whether and how
laboratory animals are used.
◗ Providing frontline practical advice and
recommendations to governments and
the farming industry in the UK, Africa
and Canada on how to improve welfare
at slaughter.
◗ Publishing a range of ‘Living with…’
factsheets to help the public learn about
wildlife commonly found in homes
or gardens, and how to encourage or
humanely deter them.
To find out more about our science teams’ animal welfare work, visit: www.rspca.org.uk/sciencegroup
and scroll to the bottom of the page to view the RSPCA Science Group Review of 2015.
O U R WORK B EHI N D THE SCE NES
ANNUAL REVIEW 2015
Our mission is to prevent animal cruelty by helping to
develop informed, responsible, caring and active citizens.
Our education and training advisers do this by offering
free training and support for professionals who work with
children and young people while our prevention programme
advisers work mainly with youth justice teams and local
authorities, to ensure our help is accessible to everyone
who needs it.
In 2015 our educational work included:
◗ Training more than 2,300 student teachers at 33 universities and carrying out
37 training events with 486 youth offending team workers, social workers,
foster parents and carers.
◗ Our 20 Volunteer Ambassadors for Schools delivering assemblies to 70
establishments across England and Wales, taking positive animal welfare
messages to around 7,000 pupils aged five to 11.
◗ Taking the RSPCA Great Debate to the National Assembly in Cardiff in June,
where six secondary schools debated the question: Whose responsibility is
animal welfare?
◗ Looking at alternatives to sentencing in cases involving young people.
Interventions such as conditional cautions can be more effective than
putting a young person through court. In one case, one of the RSPCA’s
Education Team Prevention Programme Advisers participated in Restorative
Justice meetings, and supplied resources to assist the local Youth Offending
Team in addressing issues with the young people that will hopefully reduce
the risk of cruelty to animals and further offences.
Alexander Caminada x1
In 2015 the RSPCA’s farm animal welfare assurance scheme
Freedom Food got a new look and a new name. Although
the label has changed – to RSPCA Assured – its high
standards for farmed animals have not. The change was
prompted by public awareness – 96 percent of people have
heard of the RSPCA but only 24 percent knew Freedom
Food, so a more obvious RSPCA label was introduced.
We believe it will help us improve the lives of around
100 million more farm animals, plus millions more fish,
in the next five years. RSPCA Assured has more than 3,500
members and labelled products in all major supermarkets.
In 2015 more than 275 million animals were part of the
RSPCA Assured scheme, including:
◗ more than 9m meat chickens
◗ more than 18m laying hens
◗ more than 2.5m pigs
◗ more than 198m salmon
◗ more than 35.5m trout
◗ nearly 3m turkeys.
www.rspcaassured.org.uk
www.rspca.org .uk
PAGE THIRTEEN
Our work goes on...
We work around the clock rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals, so it’s not possible to mention
every project in this review. Here are a few more stories about what we’ve been doing for animal welfare.
Rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals is at the core of what we
do and for six weeks in 2015 we had some famous faces helping us to
Give a Pet a Home.
The six-part ITV series, which highlighted our work and was filmed at
RSPCA Newbrook Farm Animal Centre in Birmingham, proved a big hit
and attracted 2.5 million viewers in its first week.
Each episode of Give a Pet a Home featured a team of animal-loving
celebrities learning exactly what it takes to be a volunteer with the
RSPCA. And they really got their hands dirty by getting involved with
everything, from helping out during operations to cleaning out kennels
and walking the dogs.
Hosted by Amanda Holden, each programme saw the celebrity
volunteers – Peter Andre, Julian Clary, Chris Kamara, Denise Lewis,
Coleen Nolan and Kimberley Wyatt – championing an animal for
rehoming. This prompted an amazing response from the public, with
thousands of people applying to rehome the featured pets resulting
in every single animal featured in the show – all 51 of them – finding
new forever homes.
It didn’t take long for the celebrities to fall in love with the animals!
Coleen Nolan was the first to crack, rehoming a three-legged
Yorkshire terrier puppy called Mika within the first few days and
then adding Shetland ponies Mickey and Guinness to her menagerie.
Kimberly Wyatt fell for Ty the shar pei-cross, closely followed by
Denise Lewis OBE who, after careful consideration, adopted Bailey,
another three-legged dog and two budgies!
There was even a reunion during the series. Staffy-cross William was
spotted on the show by his owners, who had lost him several
months earlier. Peter Andre was on hand to reunite William with his
family during an emotional episode. It was also an opportunity for
us to highlight the importance of microchipping pets, and of keeping
the details up to date, so reunions can be a lot quicker and easier.
2
TV presenter Amanda Holden hosted the third Daily Mirror Animal
Hero Awards, run in conjunction with the RSPCA and sponsored by
Bayer pharmaceuticals. And as an ‘Extra’ special surprise for guests,
animal champion Ricky Gervais arrived to accept an award for his
Outstanding Contribution to Animal Welfare.
Ricky, the BAFTA Award-winning director, actor and writer, has used
his huge social media profile to highlight animal welfare campaigns to
his 10 million followers. In a film aired before he accepted his award,
Ricky talked about the pointlessness of bullfighting and highlighted
PAGE FOURTEEN
RSPCA Vice President Dr Brian May presented Ricky with his award,
saying: “It is vital we have a strong and healthy RSPCA. If we did not
have the RSPCA, who would prosecute animal abusers?”
Former stray Stella the Staffy was presented with the Public Service
Animal of the Year Award. Stella was taken in by RSPCA West Hatch
Animal Centre and it wasn’t long before her talent for sniffing things
out was discovered. She was snapped up as a police dog and now
works alongside PC Clare Todd, hunting out evidence.
The RSPCA Superstar of the Year was named as Julie Bedford, a pet
behaviour expert who has developed two courses for RSPCA staff to
help dogs showing signs of aggression while in our care. This training
helps dogs feel happier and safer in kennels and can improve their
chances of going on to live a happy and fulfilling life in a family home.
The second RSPCA award – Hero Animal of the Year – went to a
stray pup named Pepper who stepped in when holidaymaker Georgia
Bradley was approached by two aggressive men on a remote stretch
of beach in Crete. When one of them grabbed her arm, Pepper
stepped in and barked incessantly until they left. As Georgia was
leaving the next day she tried in vain to find Pepper a home, but with
no luck; she could only watch as the little dog ran alongside the car as
it left for the airport. Back home, Georgia could not stop thinking of
her little guardian angel and flew back to Crete to find Pepper. Georgia
paid for veterinary treatment and a passport and, 21 days later, Pepper
came to England – swiftly joined by six surprise puppies!
www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/animal-hero-awards
www.youtube.com/rspca (Animal Hero Awards 2015)
www.itv.com/giveapetahome
Animal Hero Awards 2016
Speaking about the RSPCA and other animal charities, Ricky
commented: “I think they are great, they are the people on the front
line, they are the people who are tackling it.” Ricky has supported our
work to stop the potential repeal of the Hunting Act, and the RSPCA’s
Scrap the Puppy Trade campaign. “I think it is one of the greatest
privileges of freedom of speech, to use your voice for those who
don’t have one.”
Will Jenkins x1, Endemol UK x1
Give a Pet a Home
the horror of the dog meat trade. He took to the stage in tears, “not
because I’ve won an award, but because of the terrible images in that
film” he told a standing ovation.
1
1
H IG HL IG HTS
ANNUAL REVIEW 2015
The Dog Rescuers
3
Series three of Channel 5’s TV programme The Dog Rescuers,
presented by dog lover Alan Davies, aired in 2015. The programme
follows RSPCA inspectors as they investigate reports of dog cruelty
and neglect. It gives a unique insight into our work rescuing dogs and
improving their welfare.
One programme followed RSPCA Inspector Herchy Boal as she joined
SPCA Hong Kong officers to exchange skills and experiences for the
benefit of animal welfare teams on both sides of the world. She was
involved in helping officers with a tricky rescue of a dog from the sea.
www.channel5.com/the-dog-rescuers
3
RSPCA Young Photographer
Awards 2015
4
The RSPCA Young Photographer Awards (YPA) is our successful
competition open to anyone aged 18 or younger. The aim is to
encourage young people’s interest in photography and their
appreciation and understanding of the animals around them.
In 2015 we received thousands of amazing images. Awards’ judge Chris
Packham announced thirteen-year-old Will Jenkins as overall winner for
his astounding photo of a pelican. YPA 2016 will open in May.
www.rspca.org.uk/ypa
RSPCA BIG Walkies
4
5
Our first RSPCA BIG Walkies flagship events took place in London and
Birmingham during RSPCA Week in June, followed by 21 local events.
More than 3,000 dogs attended, including Spencer, who featured on
the cover of the RSPCA Annual review 2014. His new owner Emma said:
“When we heard about RSPCA BIG Walkies we couldn’t wait to come
along and support it.”
RSPCA BIG Walkies 2016 kicks off in May with events in London, Cardiff
and Bournemouth. More than 40 BIG Walkies local events will be
taking place in September and October.
www.rspca.org.uk/bestwalkever
Facebook, photos and films
To keep up with all we’re doing for animal welfare across England and
Wales, follow and engage with us on our social media channels:
www.facebook.com/rspca
5
www.instagram.com/official_rspca
www.twitter.com/RSPCA_official
www.youtube.com/rspcauk
Our YouTube channel has a range of videos from 2015 including the
RSPCA flood rescue teams in action as they helped people and animals
in the aftermath of Storm Desmond, and a fox who’d fallen into
a pit on a building site and was safely caught and released by
RSPCA officers.
PAGE FIFTEEN
H OW YOU CAN HELP
ANNUAL REVIEW 2015
how you can help
and get involved
Your generous donations of time, money and support mean we can plan ahead and work out how best to use
our resources for animal welfare. There are many ways you can support us – here are a few examples.
For even more ways you can
support us, visit:
view.pagetiger.com/
RSPCAHowYouCanHelp
Give by direct debit
By supporting us with an ongoing
donation by direct debit your
financial commitment enables
us to plan ahead and work more
effectively, visit:
www.rspca.org.uk/donate
to find out more.
Leave a lasting legacy
Become an RSPCA volunteer
More than 50 percent of our
work is funded by the gifts
people kindly leave to us in their
Will. The simple act of leaving a
gift in your Will means you’ll help
protect animals from cruelty long
into the future. To request a free
Will Guide, please call the
Legacy Team: 0300 123 0239,
email: giftsinwills@rspca.org.uk
or visit: www.rspca.org.uk/legacy
Our volunteers make a huge
contribution to the work we do
preventing cruelty, promoting
kindness and alleviating the
suffering of animals.
Volunteering with us is a great
way to meet like-minded people
who share the same enthusiasm
for animal welfare. There are
other benefits too, such as
gaining new skills or developing
existing ones, putting something
back into the community and
developing your personal skills
and confidence.
As a volunteer you can
gain transferable skills in
fundraising, campaigning,
finance, management, IT and
administration. Anyone can
volunteer – we value diversity
and encourage volunteers from
all sections of the community.
thank you
The work we do for animals is only possible thanks to the financial support we receive from grant-giving Trusts,
corporate partners and generous individuals.
At the end of October, the
Trustees of the W G Harvey
Discretionary Settlement
contributed towards the
purchase of vital veterinary
equipment and the improvement
of animal welfare facilities at
RSPCA Stapeley Grange Wildlife
Centre and RSPCA Greater
Manchester Animal Hospital.
The Katherine Martin Charitable
Trust continues to support the
work of the RSPCA and made
invaluable contributions towards
animal welfare projects in 2015 –
supporting the rescue of
animals caught up in flood
situations; improving facilities
for the rescue and rehabilitation
of horses, wildlife and farm
animals; and providing the right
environment for injured birds
to heal and recover before their
return to the wild.
PAGE SIXTEEN
The Gerrick Rose Animal Trust
very kindly made two separate
donations towards Little Valley
Animal Centre in Exeter – the first
was put towards the construction
of a dog sensory garden; the
second helped with rehoming
costs for cats and dogs.
In April we received a substantial
grant from Support Adoption for
Pets towards the cost of building
a new purpose-built, all-weather
dog walking area at RSPCA
Leybourne Animal Centre.
Thank you to these
corporate partners:
Animal Friends Insurance for
their significant contribution
towards the construction of a
new deep-water seal pool, to
support the rehabilitation and
return to the wild of sick, injured
and orphaned seals.
ASUS for donating three
interactive, multimedia screens
to help efficiency and save costs
when communicating with our
regional centres and inspectors
across England and Wales.
bigDL that took on, and survived,
a 10-hour fell climb, 30-mile cycle
and a canoe race in aid of the
Society in the inaugural RSPCA
24-hour Challenge.
eBay and their members who
kindly made a donation to the
RSPCA at the checkout – raising
invaluable funds for a number of
vital animal welfare projects.
Google for producing an
informative film to highlight
the typical journey of an animal
coming into RSPCA care.
Shell for its ongoing support,
allowing customers to donate
their Shell Points to the RSPCA.
TrustedHousesitters and
their generous members for
continuing to support us
with sponsorship and donations
in 2015.
Volkswagen Commercial
Vehicles for their generosity,
helping support the running costs
of the six Volkswagen Crafter
vans they have now donated
to us to help move the animals
in our care around England and
Wales for rehoming.
Wilko stores in South Wales and
the west of England who chose
the RSPCA as their Charity of the
Year for the second year running,
raising funds to support our work
in the region.
Other corporate partners
in 2015 include:
• Cottages4You
• IMG
There is a wide range of
volunteering roles available
across our network of
branches and animal and
wildlife centres.
To find out more about
volunteering for us please visit:
www.rspca.org.uk/volunteer
or contact your local
RSPCA branch or centre:
www.rspca.org.uk/yourlocal
• MBNA
• MORE TH N Pet Insurance
• Pets at Home
• WME
• Yorkshire Building Society
For their ongoing and
continued generosity,
we would particularly
like to show our
appreciation to these
generous individuals:
• Mrs H Conde
• Mr Cook
• The De Giorgi Family
• Mrs Dorothy Fogg
• Mr A Foulkes
• Miss Audrey Garnham
• Mrs McIntyre
• Mr Palmer
• Mrs Francesca Quint
• Mr and Mrs Tollman
• Mr Peter West
• Mr and Mrs White
Meet Teresa Steward
How long have you been volunteering?
Five-and-a-half years.
Why did you start volunteering?
My cat passed away and I visited RSPCA Leybourne
Animal Centre and found my cat Lily. It made me
realise that I wanted to volunteer for Leybourne.
What do you do?
Cleaning out the pens, preparing the food, fussing
and grooming the cats. I’ll also help the staff out if
they need me.
What do you like about volunteering?
When I am in the cattery – fussing, talking to and
caring for the cats – I know I have made a difference
to their lives before they find their forever homes.
O U R F I N AN CES
ANNUAL REVIEW 2015
money matters
The summary financial information set out
on this page has been extracted from the full
consolidated annual financial statements and
has been prepared in accordance with
RSPCA Rule XVI.
Legacy income (£63.1m)
Contributions and donations (£46.2m)
Charitable activities* (£8.7m)
Other income (£5.1m)
Investment income (£0.8m)
Membership subscriptions (£0.5m)
our income
2015
£124.4m
All costs include applicable support costs.
*Income from charitable activities including:
rehoming, boarding and veterinary income;
prosecution and other costs recovered;
other fees and charges received; and goods sold.
Field animal welfare (£81.0m)
• hospitals and animal centres (£40.1m)
• inspectorate (£37.5m)
• prosecutions – animal care (£3.4m)
Cost of raising funds (£23.5m)
our expenditure
2015
£123.0m
Support to branches (£7.7m)
Prosecutions – legal (£4.9m)
Campaigns, communication,
publications (£2.6m)
Science (£1.6m)
Education (£1.0m)
International (£0.7m)
PAGE EIGHTEEN
Council report on the summary financial information
This summary financial information is not the statutory financial
statements, but a summary relating to the income and expenditure,
prepared to give an overview of the Society’s financial affairs. The full
financial statements, from which the summary is derived, have been
audited. The audit report was unqualified. The full financial statements,
Trustees’ annual report and auditors’ report may be obtained from:
Advice Team, RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham,
West Sussex RH13 9RS or: www.rspca.org.uk/trusteesreport
Signed on behalf of Council on 11 May 2016.
Daphne Harris
CHAIRPERSON, RSPCA COUNCIL
The Trustees’ report and accounts 2015, which was approved on
11 May 2016, has not yet been filed with the Charity Commission.
Christine Beaumont-Kerridge
TREASURER, RSPCA
Independent auditors’ statement on the summary
financial information
Independent auditors’ statement to the Trustees of the
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
We have examined the summarised financial information of the
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for the year
ended 31 December 2015, set out on the opposite page.
RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND AUDITORS
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the summary financial
information in accordance with RSPCA Rule XVI.
Our responsibility is to report to you our opinion on the consistency
of the summary financial information within the Annual review
with the full annual financial statements and Trustees’ report and its
compliance with RSPCA Rule XVI.
We also read the other information contained in the Annual review
and consider the implications for our report if we become aware
of any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the
summary financial information.
Our report has been prepared pursuant to the requirements of the
RSPCA Rule XVI and for no other purpose. No person is entitled to
rely on this report unless such a person is a person entitled to rely
upon this report by virtue of and for the purpose of the Charities
Act 2011 or has been expressly authorised to do so by our prior written
consent. Save as above, we do not accept responsibility for this report
to any other person or for any other purpose and we hereby expressly
disclaim any and all such liability.
BASIS OF OPINION
We conducted our work in accordance with Bulletin 2008/3 ‘The
auditors’ statement on the summary financial statement in the United
Kingdom’, issued by the Auditing Practices Board. Our report on the
Society’s full annual financial statements describes the basis of our
opinion on those financial statements and on the Trustees’ report.
OPINION
In our opinion the summary financial information is consistent with the
full financial statements and Trustees’ report of the Royal Society for
the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for the year ended 31 December
2015, and complies with the RSPCA Rule XVI.
BDO LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor
Gatwick, United Kingdom. Date: 11 May 2016.
BDO LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and
Wales (with registered number OC305127).
To find out more
Download a copy of the
RSPCA Trustees’ report and accounts 2015 at:
www.rspca.org.uk/trusteesreport
PAGE NINETEEN
Meet Bridie our cover star
Crammed into a small cage in a dark, filthy
shed, Bridie was one of 14 Irish setters rescued
from horrendous conditions at a puppy
breeder’s home.
The dogs had matted coats covered in dirt and
no bedding or access to water. They were
poorly nourished, thirsty, very
frightened, and some were
suffering from untreated
injuries and infections.
After removing the dogs
from the property, most –
including Bridie – were taken
to the RSPCA’s Halifax,
Huddersfield and District
Branch (with others going
to RSPCA York and District
Branch) where the hard
work of rehabilitating them
really began.
The dogs were finally ready to
find their forever homes after
more than a year of special
training and rehabilitation.
Bridie was the first of the 14 to be rehomed
– with the RSPCA’s Chief Scientific Officer
Dr Julia Wrathall.
“Bridie has been transformed into a wonderful,
fun-loving, friendly, happy dog,” says Julia. “This is
thanks to the RSPCA inspectors who rescued
her, the staff and volunteers at Halifax,
Huddersfield and District Branch
who helped her recover from her
dreadful ordeal, and to her own
resilience and willingness to grab
hold of her second chance with
both paws. It’s very hard to feel
down when she’s around, and
I feel really privileged to have
her in my life.”
Bridie’s previous owners were
jailed and banned for life
from keeping dogs.
If you would like to give an animal
like Bridie a second chance
at a happy home, visit:
www.rspca.org.uk/findapet
W E A RE COMPA SS I ONATE • WE ARE IN SPIRATION AL • WE ARE COM M I T T ED
W E A RE E XP ERT • WE ACT WITH IN TE GRIT Y
We are t h e RSPCA
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9RS
0300 1234 999 www.rspca.org.uk
facebook.com/RSPCA twitter.com/RSPCA_official
The RSPCA helps animals in England and Wales. Registered charity no. 219099.
The RSPCA only exists with the support of public donations.
©RSPCA 2016. All rights reserved. This material must not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the RSPCA.
Editorial: Gina Guarnieri and Amanda Smith Design: Kevin Long Cover photos: Alison Stolwood/RSPCA Photolibrary
All photos RSPCA Photolibrary unless stated otherwise.