THE RSPCA Pressure groups What is the RSPCA

THE RSPCA Pressure groups

What is the RSPCA and how do they operate? RSPCA stands for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which was founded in 1824. The RSPCA campaigns for animal welfare, aiming to prompt political and behavioural change on animal welfare issues. the main things that the RSPCA does include: - Rescuing animals in distress - Operate kennels and catteries for lost/injured animals. - Have extensive animal inspector teams that investigate and even prosecute animal cruelty offenders.

What type of pressure group is the RSPCA? ■ The RSPCA has legal powers- it is an insider pressure group, meaning that the government will ask high place people from them for advice and it will be listened to. ■ However they do not receive any government funding, but are still widely respected and often used by police forces in the cases of animal cruelty. ■ They are also registered as a charity. ■ They are a promotional group as they promote the idea of kindness to animals and protection of them, both wild and domestic.

RSPCA membership The RSPCA membership options include: ■ individual membership (£ 24 for a year, or £ 750 for life). ■ Joint membership (£ 36 a year, or £ 1000 for life) The benefits of joining are stated as possibly receiving: • • A pin badge Membership card ’Action for animals’ car sticker A copy of the annual review Copy of animal life magazine Can take part in annual general meeting Can vote at the election of national council members

Success? The RSPCA has had a 100% success rate for its prosecutions, a rise of 20%, following an increase in reported cases. So it could be argued that as the RSPCA has grown more and more people are becoming aware of animal welfare issues and are reporting them. There have also been thousands of animals that since being rescued have changed dramatically.