On Friday 30 November 2012, RSPCA NSW Inspectors and Shoalhaven Rangers attended a property in Terara in response to complaints of animal cruelty.
While on site, RSPCA inspectors seized;
– four Poodle crossbreeds
– two Poodle crossbreed pups
– four Cattle crossbreed pups
– a Silky Terrier crossbreed pup
– and a Maltese crossbreed pup
A total of 12 dogs. Inspectors also seized eight cats.
From the RSPCA NSW media release:
“Veterinary examination of the seized animals found several of them to be severely underweight and six tested positive for hookworm.”
Skinny, wormy pets entering RSPCA NSW care. Should have been a chance for some fantastic happy endings, no?
The pets were held, until an interim order was granted and the RSPCA took ownership of the pets in May 2013.
Another six kittens were born while in care.
During their six months in RSPCA custody, these pets clocked up $83,243 in animal care charges (this amount was awarded back to the RSPCA in Nowra Local Court this week).
Each of these dogs and cats needed vet treatment and assessment. They needed to be groomed, wormed and vaccinated. They will have been kept in kennels at the RSPCA, and maybe for the first time in their lives they will have had a warm bed and to have been given regular meals.
But what they needed most of all – as all dogs and cats from abuse, puppy farming or neglectful situations do – was the behavioural rehabilitation that would have allowed them to be placed with new families at the end of their time in care.
They could have received this from experienced foster carers specialising in dogs and cats who need extra care. They could have been passed on to a community rescue group known for rehabilitating ex-puppy farm or neglect cases. They could have even been put into a comprehensive shelter-based rehabilitation program.
Let’s face it – the RSPCA NSW had six months to take assertive, proactive action on behalf of these guys, to get them if not ready for a new family, ready for a halfway home in rescue or foster.
What actually happened after six months of RSPCA NSW ‘care’ at a cost of over $83,000 once ownership was transferred legally to the organisation?
8 of the 12 dogs, and 3 of the 8 cats were killed as ‘unadoptable’.
Eight of the dogs were described in the RSPCA media release as ‘pups’ – meaning they were likely under a year old. They had their whole lives ahead of them. Most of these dogs were small and popular breeds.
Despite this, being killed was the most likely outcome of being ‘rescued’ by the RSPCA NSW.
‘unadoptable?’
The cats did fare a little better, with five cats adopted. The six kittens are currently still in care.
People donate to the RSPCA because they want to see our most vulnerable animals protected. Yet time and time again, we see animals taken from places where they were not safe, to the RSPCA where they are even less safe – and that is where their lives are taken.
We must reject killing as an appropriate way to treat or manage our companion animals. We must demand better.
This does not surprise me – they have millions of dollars, mainly donated or bequeathed, but don’t have the heart to put in the hard yards. Of course a young animal can be fostered out to a caring environment and trained for adoption, I don’t “get ” the RSPCA in any of our states, they are all the same – if it’s not 100% perfect, then just kill it!
I just don’t know what to do anymore. I sign petitions, I donate to the SPCA, PETA, and other acronyms–in fact, I’ve cut off the Red Cross and other human charities in favour of supporting the innocents and all I see are more atrocities. What is wrong with our world? with our species?
This is disgusting and there are plenty of people out there who cannot afford to buy a dog but would care for them far better than some I know who bought pets in my street .. I cannot believe that a safe haven has been cruel enough to do this .. Totally disgusted
I cannot believe what I have just read!!! I am appalled at the actions of the RSPCA, whom I thought was the saviour of all animals. Shelters with little funds would have rehabilitated these dogs, but instead the RSPCA deemed it necessary to destroy them. I am so angry, and saddened by this. My donations to the RSPCA will now cease. Shame on you RSPCA!
Absolutely disgusted in the RSPCA. I have stopped ever donating to these rescue groups. They arnt about the animals at all. I only support local rescue groups who foster etc. Shame on them.
It’s about time RSPCA did some actual research, use the money they are given wisely. Anyone from there going to the Getting 2 Zero conference at the Gold Coast?
I’m disgusted with this story. What did those innocent beings do to deserve death? In the very least, they deserved rehabilitation, which I’m sure would have been successful given they were “pets”. Yes, they would have had behavioural issues but to not even TRY!!?? This is unacceptable, particularly from a “society for the PROTECTION of animals” It’s appalling, why bother saving their lives only to kill them once they’re healthy dogs?
I will NEVER support RSPCA and if I see cases of animal cruelty, I’ll uses other avenues to secure their rescue.
I’ve had enough, I will no longer support the RSPCA.. they can go to hell, and when they get there, I hope they receive the karma they so deserve !!!
The answer to everything a little difficult at the RSPCA is death. If it does not conform to the cute fluffy designer dog, too bad.
They are the biggest killing machine in the world…..
I am so disgusted in you RSPCA you are suppose to help the animals and you do this why are you here, we give donate money to you so you can help these animals that stupid are cruel too and you end up killing them…..you are just as bad as the people who are cruel to their animals…..you’re supposed to protect all animals not kill them – that’s why we donate money to the RSPCA so you can protect them not kill them.
The RSPCA should hang their collective heads in shame. I will never understand why they are so reluctant to work with the fantastic Rescue Groups who offer their services to them constantly.
Instead, they cause innocent animals to die day in day out.
The RSPCA need to be investigated by an independent body and either ‘fixed’ or shut down.
Im glad that at least they are being exposed so the generosity of the general public will go to more worthy animal causes.
No surprise really, I’m surprised any of them made it out alive. I’d also like to see a detailed statement of the $83,000.00 spent in particular the money spent on the animals that were not adoptable. So, in reality let’s spend all this money on the animals to make them feel better and get them more comfortable and then LETS KILL THEM. Way to go RSPCA. Are you wondering why you arent being supported as much these days, let me tell you, it’s because people are now asking questions and getting the run around or even worse, they are getting lied to. Karma is a bitch…..
. RSPCA has no ‘Wurth’ as neither has an agenda which is is beneficial to the animals, Its that plain and simple. We need this organization replaced with another which has the animals welfare as main priority and not the making of profit from the caring public donations..
RSPCA needs to use the money to work with rescue groups and foster programmes. Use the money for EDUCATION, discourage breeding of dogs and cats, help with desexing and rehoming. RSPCA can do so much more than just kill healthy rehomable pets.
This story saddens me, but doesn’t surprise me!! Come on RSPCA your losing sight of what your supposed to be about!
This is the very reason my animals are from rescue centres NOT the RSPCA, and why I won’t buy pet insurance from them either! DIGUSTING! Not the first time I have read this type of story. They even failed to identify a microchipped pet, sell it off, only for it rip escape and end up being euthanased!
Thought RSPCA Never put healthy animals down? That what there advert says. Ha! ! what lies, just to get donations to not spend in the poor abuse animals. Shame on you RSPCA * I also would like to see the bill for the poor cat’s and dogs. And by theway love goes a long way. TRY IT SOMETIMES IT really works RSPCA *.
not surprised and now no longer give the RSPCA any money or help at all – they are all about themselves and not the animals anymore and should be subjected to a Royal Commission.
RSPCA are disgusting! and no big surprise here, as it’s all about them lining their pockets with all the money they get. God forbid they should actually do their job and rehabilitate any animal, as that would cost them time and money. Absolutely pathetic! Do not donate to the RSPCA, you are only paying for their salaries, and definitely not for the animal care!!!!
They very reason I will not doanate to them OR participate in their Million Paws Walk. SHAME SHAME SHAME RSPCA
Stories like this make me mad,you believe they have animals welfare at least.make me think twice about any donations in the future.
RSPCA have become a kill rescue shelter. They are incompassionate with the rescue animals and only look at an animal in a black & white situation. I have know of situations in Perth where no compassion is shown to rescue animals. I will never donate to RSPCA again. SHAME. So much for all creatures..
What a load of shit!! How is this the fault of the RSPCA what about blaming the people that the animals where seized from!!! We get called animal haters we get treated like shit daily by people in the community and persecuted by the media and people who have no idea what it is like to walk a mile in our shoes!!! Truth is we do it for the love of the animals our hearts break daily and we go home with minimum wage and heavy hearts but every day we get up and do it again!! We don’t ask for any thanks and we certainly don’t expect any!!!
Fact is that an animal may be healthy but sometimes due to its shitty start in life it may have other issues…. Can you imagine the media headlines if the RSPCA or council put an animal in foster care or new home and it bites a kid!!! Don’t get me wrong euthanasia sucks and the statistics are alarming but persecuting the RSPCA is not the answer!!
Fact is there is not enough foster carers or shelter space out there!!!
Time to support the people who put themselves on the frontline and stop this media hype.
The solution is out there!! Stamp out back yard breeders and stop pet shops selling pets support stricter council local laws for pet ownership to make this happen!!!
And I say again volunteer in one of these places and walk along side us… Maybe you will see how big our hearts really are!!!
Most people who read this blog absolutely *do* volunteer and work in rescue.
Which is why, when they think about what $83,000 could have done in the hands of a more compassionate organisation – or how they would have personally treated these 12 dogs and 8 cats – that people start to question – was the outcome of death the BEST outcome we could have hoped for with these guys?
Certainly, the animals may have been being neglected by their previous owner – but at least they were alive.
Where there is life there is hope. Where there is neglect, there is a chance for rescue and a happy future.
Now they are dead. There is no longer any hope for them.
There was no requirement for the RSPCA to place these dogs in a family with children. They could have placed them in long term foster with one of the dozens of rescue groups in the state currently being refused access to any pets from these facilities. This isn’t about a ‘lack of placement opportunities’ – but the decision to kill rather than work with the community around them.
“…persecuting the RSPCA is not the answer”
The answer is for the RSPCA to stop choosing killing, over the programs needed to stop it. Continuing to ignore unnecessary killing because staff are ‘compassionate’ and the organisation ‘means well’, is not helping the pets stay alive.
This is an example of what they believe is an appropriate way to manage a ‘rescue’. We have the right, as the people who donate and pay our local council taxes to the RSPCA, to say – enough. We no longer support your high-kill model.
I am so GLAD I don’t live in the Eastern State. Put dogs to sleep because they unfortunately have landed at the RSPCA. Shame on you. I have read that you are just as bad in the ACT. Don’t you feel bad for destroying life. Baaaaaa!
I am not surprised by any of this but am still deeply saddened. It doesn’t matter how many times I hear of their neglect, callousness, or inefficiency to do what they are not only paid to do but stand for. What does surprise me is the amount of people that still have faith in the RSPCA. It is nothing but a conglomerate money making machine that is fantastic on fancy marketing & raising funds. It is a shame that the grass roots people that volunteer at the RSPCA get bundled in with their shame as I do believe they are there for the animals.
I implore people to go and educate themselves on the RSPCA fiscal year annual statements state by state. In each of those reports it will tell you all you need to know. How many dogs/cats/ and other animals were sentenced to death, how much money they have sitting in their piggy banks, and how much money they have raised for the year. The figures are unacceptable! You only have to look at their board members, CEO’s, financial accountants etc to see these are not people that have an interest in animal welfare but rather revenue raising.
Time and time again people say that it isn’t about the money & that RSPCA doesn’t have enough shelters to cater for all the dogs/cats/animals which is a disgusting lie. They could build a dozen more & still not make a dent on their investment accounts.
It is time that people started holding RSPCA accountable. The pounds are overflowing & Rescue groups are picking up the slack. There shouldn’t be a need for any Rescue Group & animals should not be taken to the pound. It is time that the RSPCA either close shop & get out of the way of the ones who are about saving animals OR start doing what they are entrusted, funded and expected to do!
Bravo Shiree, Bravo !
Doesn’t surprise me at all. i do not support the RSPCA because of their attitude. They do very little toward the care for animals. Why do people support them? i would like to see people give their money to more deserving animal charities that will actually care for these creatures, maybe then the RSPCA will get off their bums and do something that actually improves the lot of such lovely animals.
Typical of RSPCA! Paper tigers nothing more! Have not supported them in anyway shape or form for years they are a useless bunch of idiots. Never rescue the animals that needit the most and when they do this type of thing happens! Personally I think they are the ones that need charging with cruelty to animals!
“All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small” except if you are a dog or cat requiring help!! Perhaps they are better at rehoming elephants, raccoons, etc in their ads.
yes shiree i agree with you the rspca in Burwood has an amazing new building and still in progress when i went to see some pets i was surprised at the few dogs that were on view not a lot of choice for us so yeah where is all the money going these girls that work at the rspca are angels the only kind and love these pets appear to get so thanks to them it must be hard, but yes if they the RSPCA dont want the animals then give them to the no kill dog rescue they are amazing at re homing and put a lot of time into these poor babies
Alison seems very upset by the negative. i have been in your shoes and unfortunately most of what is said is true. i know our local is uneducated, hates large dogs and even though temperaments are tested the people doing this have no qualifications. I agree there’s a solution is out there!! Stamp out back yard breeders and stop pet shops selling pets support stricter council local laws for pet ownership to make this happen!!! But why won’t the RSPCA promote this? Because they won’t have a profitable business.
what a waste of space the RSPCA is. They are paper tigers not there for the most in need?? Why oh why do they have no foster programme that would save the lives of so many animals. Have not supported them for so very long. But if Canberra RSPCA can why can’t NSW? I now foster with a rescue group which is exceedingly rewarding.
Don’t tell me you can’t foster as it is too emotional you are saving lives. You get to ensure that they go to a loving home. Yes it is emotional but it good emotion…
NO DONATIONS…NO RSPCA… the government contributes 1 percent of running costs…2000 volunteers alone in Queensland…All you people think you can do better then lets see it!! If everyone opened there homes as a foster carer this wouldn’t happen…
This is catchy – but entirely false.
The RSPCA nationally has an income in excess of $100 million dollars.
Their primary income is generated providing pound services to local councils. They are paid sums in the hundreds of thousands for each council & each site can process the pets of multiple cities.
The 1% is simply false advertising. Our council rates pay for the organization to exist.
(Ask your local RSPCA how much they get paid to provide council pound services, how many cities they provide it to, and their annual income).
In NSW where this case happened, rescue groups are blocked from accessing pets. Foster carers were never sought to rehabilitate them.
So it’s fanciful to say ‘they don’t have enough help’ – and that if they had more help the dogs would have lived – the RSPCA had no interest in securing the help needed to save these guys.
They just chose not to.
I have volunteered with RSPCA at Burwood and I know first hand that 80% of the workforce are volunteers and everyone is so dedicated to getting good outcomes for the animals in there care.. I find it sad that rescue groups who I also support with my time and money seem to bag RSPCA to try to lift the profile of the work they are doing. I read too many false stories and misinformation that gets reported as facts.
Many of you say don’t donate to the RSPCA because they have lots of money well I know that Victoria has made losses the last two years so if services or program’s are cut back I hope you all take some responsibility.
The new building at Burwood was funded by bequests which were left to upgrade the adoption areas, training centre, veterinary hospital etc. previously animals were in outdoor pens exposed to the weather. The nastiness in animal welfare makes me want to walk away, get back to caring for animals.