I find myself often pondering the problem of the RSPCA, but can't get past the initial problem. They have been so good at PR recently, if anyone were to stand up in public and criticise them, all that would happen is that that person would be seen as not caring about the plight of defenceless animals.
However, it will happen one day that the RSPCA will dish out their standard response of apathy and shirking to the wrong person. A complaint to the public broadcast authorities claiming that the BBC series Animals 24/7 is not an acurate portrail of the work of the RSPCA, would give the perfect platform for all these little stories we have tucked away about what they're really like. Of course, the big worry is that if the RSPCA's take of public cash donation dissapeared, so would entirely all the limited good they do - and we have to admit that on a smaller scale than they claim, they DO help with some things.
I also have to say, they never used to be like this, you know, and I remember 20-30 years ago when the RSPCA as we know it was in real danger of going under. They were trying to be all things to all people and nearly bancrupted themselves. The newspapers and TV were alive with financial scandals about the silly ways they had got themselves into trouble - grants of huge money to build hedgie under-passes that were ill designed and proved to be constantly under water, that kind of thing. It was after this time in their history, the accountants took over and yes, the RSPCA is now certainly sound financially, but they aren't the same reliable champions they once were. I don't think it IS possible for them to change and become what we'd like them to be because once again, they'll end up in the finanicial doo-doo without a snorkel - their scope of work is too vast and resources would be gone in a flash.
So I guess the RSPCA are a devil we are better off knowing than seeing sinking without a trace, as I'm not convinced the money they recieve from the public would go elsewhere to animal welfare in this country - it might well end up in places like WWF (a noble cause but not much help if you happen to be a homeless dog or cat in the UK).
What really worries me, though, is not the likes to the RSPCA but Blue Cross and PDSA. They are nowhere near as well known by the public as they once were, yet do vital work for people and pets in need. If we lost them, it would be a real tragedy for our pets.
