The RSPCA WA is being questioned by the state government regarding their processes for choosing which pets are treated and which pets are killed…
The WA Government has raised fears the RSPCA is destroying pets that could be kept alive.
Documents obtained by The Sunday Times reveal Agriculture Department boss Rob Delane was told of a case last year where medical histories did not support the destruction of some pets.
“It is unclear whether the RSPCA had sufficient grounds to destroy these animals,” a briefing note for Mr Delane dated May 2013 said
The notes prepared for Mr Delane warn the RSCPA’s processes were “inadequate”.
Even RSPCA staff seemed to have little faith in the ‘system’;
Revelations of the documents come as a former RSPCA regional inspector, who asked not to be named, also expressed concerns about the treatment of animals by the organisation.
The inspector, who resigned last year, said she would regularly try to rehome animals in country areas rather than bring them to the Perth shelter because she feared they would be put down.
“I wouldn’t take my animals up there,” she said.
“Some puppies would get put down at eight weeks and they would say they had behavioural problems,” she said……
The RSPCA remain unapologetic:
RSPCA state chief executive David van Ooren said no disciplinary action had been taken and the allegations in the report had not been substantiated.
An RSPCA spokesman said there were “very clear” and “well-developed” policies relating to the euthanasia of animals.
So how does this “well developed” policy work in practice?
Izzy
This is Izzy. She was a breeding dog seized by the RSPCA under an alleged breach of WA’s animal protection laws. She entered the care of the RSPCA in March 2012. She was only a baby herself (probably less that two years old) but she was heavily pregnant.
Izzy was placed with foster carer, Cath (an experienced human midwife and dog lover) and her husband (a senior vet) so she couldn’t have been in more compassionate, capable hands. It was a new start to a happier life.
Izzy gave birth to four healthy babies; Rueben, Sukey, Polly and Morris
Izzy was ‘typical’ of many neglected dogs; sad, skittish and scared. She was terribly and heartbreakingly under socialised. The family worked hard to make her life peaceful, to give her good food and comfort, and to let her know everything was going to be ok. And under their care, Izzy showed she was a loving and competent mum – working hard to clean and feed her pups, growing them into cute little fat bellies.
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Even as the pups grew nearly as large as herself! (15 days old)
Cath’s family worked hard to make sure these pups were getting all they needed to grow into healthy, happy dogs. Her daughter delighted in helping ‘socialise’ these babies and they learned to walk and eat solid food.
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Sukey (4 weeks)
Rueben (4 weeks)
Polly Poppit (4 weeks)
Morris (4 weeks)
Not surprisingly, the family fell in love with these guys and considered adopting one themselves, but found that even as volunteers, the RSPCA adoption fees were prohibitive;
“We were going to keep one, but despite the fact I was volunteering my time to look after Izzy when she was pregnant and now raise a litter of puppies for them – they still want to charge me $700 for a puppy!!
Cath kept Izzy, Rueben, Sukey, Polly and Morris for a total of 4 weeks, before taking them back to the RSPCA for their scheduled check up. Cath assumed that she would drop them off in the morning, and pick them up in the afternoon, to continue her fostering.
“They simply wouldn’t give them back after I dropped them all in for a check over. I rang every day asking what was happening and when could I go back and get them. They kept fobbing me off. It was only after I asked for a meeting with the CEO and they realised I wasn’t going away that I was told they were already dead.
I had Izzy behaving and responding to us beautifully after a while. But they killed her and all of her pups. They didn’t indicate to me at all that they were at risk – they did it all without telling me.
My husband is a senior vet. We never saw the pups do anything strange behaviourally. Izzy was timid, but she was really coming good. And those pups were fine.”
Izzy and her pups were given a ‘behavioural assessment’ at the RSPCA kennel facility. All five failed.
Next, as is the procedure, each of these young dogs were held. Their leg was shaved. A syringe of poison was drawn. And then one by one they were injected until their lively, waggling bodies went limp and they were dead.
All under the RSPCA’s “well developed” policies.
The community has the expectation that animals entering RSPCA care will be given every chance to be rehabilitated. Pet lovers give tens of millions of dollars in donations every year believing that they are supporting life affirming processes. I don’t know a single rescue group who, if called, wouldn’t have found a place for these guys. But they didn’t survive being ‘sheltered’ by the RSPCA.
Izzy deserved a second chance. Her babies deserved a first one.
Our shelters should not be this way. They do not have to be. The killing has got to stop.
| Update 8th February…
In response to an enormous public backlash, soon after this post went public, the reason the pups were killed was updated by the RSPCA WA: Tragically all the puppies had significant hip, back and patella abnormalities, were in significant pain and discomfort. These conditions were not treatable or curable.” An email is now circulating from the CEO of the RSPCA WA bringing the dogs back from the dead. Izzy may be alive, and one of her pups, Morris, also. It is great news if they are safe. If any or all of this is true it shows a deep abuse, not of the animals, but of a volunteer. What kind of asshole organisation does this to their foster carers? I have written a follow up piece on what animal lovers can do to help pets in WA.
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See also: Thomas
R.S.P.C.A are a disgrace! The terms “Shelter” or “Refuge” does not fit when so many healthy animals are MURDERED every year.
I would have thought that things would be different in the 21st Century. Obviously I am very, very wrong.
I volunteered at one of their establishments in Rural QLD 10 years ago and was appalled that they were killing a very large percentage of animals that had either been abandoned or surrendered.
One litter of pups were murdered within hours of them being brought in.
It seems it was too much work to give them the Vet attention and compassion they so rightly deserved!!
I well know this org is getting far too commercial with companies getting the RSPCA tick of approval for what most consider suspect operations at best, but this is beyond the pale, there were people waiting to foster and love those pups, other people donate towards the upkeep ect of animals yet it was give us $700 a pup or we kill them all, you will get no more donations from me I consider this is outright fraud.
Cavaliers are one of the most popular breeds, if you will kill them nothing else has much of a chance with you
so why didn’t they just give the pups away….and not take them to the place. I don’t understand why they just didn’t give them away. what would have happened if they had done that.
Because they were only caring for her and her pups for the RSPCA, they hadn’t fully adopted them, which they were obviously trying to do, although understandably unprepared to pay $700 each… its absolutely ridiculous and appaling, like many other people we used to donate to the RSPCA, but have not done so for quite a few years now due to their increasingly left of centre ideals and frankly scary ideologies. They have gone from being a well meaning animal welfare organisation to being infiltrated with non sensicle animal rights ideaology. for the uninitiated animal welfare is what we all want, to see all animals with their basic needs met, being well looked after and hopefully in a loving environment. animal “rights” however is the belief that animals are entitled to the same rights as humans, and should not be in any way used for our gain. No meat, no milk production, no riding horses, no companionship animals. Yep, animal rights groups are against us having pets because the animals are “enslaved for our gain” I don’t know about anyone else but i don’t think my Jack Russels see it that way, going on the response i get when they see me in the morning.
So, you then have to ask, if these groups are leading toward the belief that we shouldn’t have pets, that we shouldn’t have horses, that there shouldn’t be farm animals, what then happens to all these animals? basically they die. By the way, if you think i sound like a full on crazy person by now, which i do, cause this is full blown crazy stupid stuff, do a bit of googling for yourself. what you’ll find (once you get past all the “meat is murder” “cruel, cruel, cruel”) stuff is alarming figures on groups such as PETA, and how many animals are put down by this supposedly animal loving organisation. In an expose i saw, abscially one of their largest expenses was refridgeration. as in morgue type refridgeration…
Now, i understand that you will not be able to rehome every animal, and sadly some will be unsuited to rehoming, but when the only obstacle is the fact that otherwise willing adopters are not prepared to pay $700 to adopt an animal, there is something seriously wrong with the system, because if their main aim is not keeping animals alive but making money, you then have to question why that is. Oh yeah, running campaigns vilifying anyone farming animals. i don’t know about you but i don’t support these organisations being political in nature and i believe thats where the problem is now.
That is just so much rubbish. The RSPCA everywhere operates on a purely commercial focus, and it is in bed with the farming liobby, nowhere more so than in WAm where there are two live export farmers on its board, Its entire being is devoted to dragging in money from a gullible public, which it uses to pay fatcat bureaucracies and CEOs. This story is one of a massive line of similar failures.
I take it the RSPCA still owned them and the volunteers would have faced prosecution.
But how will the CEO’s be able to live like they do and line their pockets if you all stop donating???? Sadly this happens in all states.
So boycott them. Make the public aware of the inhumanity the RSPCA show animals.
dont punish the animals they already have in the shelter, its better to adopt… but RSPCA needs to look hard at themselves or all funding will stop, I cannot support money for a death cause.
The RSPCA is nothing more than a greedy money making venture who cares little about the true welfare of animals.. just question why they pay their CEO’s SO MUCH!!!
People need to wake up and support NON KILL facilities instead and those that run the RSPCA’s in each state should be made to stand DOWN!!!!
Shame on you RSPCA, SHAME ON YOU!!!!
Hi Robyn,
The allegations are completely false. The puppies were not euthanased on behavioural grounds. The mother and the puppies were part of a large scale animal cruelty seizure conducted two years ago. The case is currently before the courts.
Tragically all the puppies had significant hip, back and patella abnormalities, and were in significant pain and discomfort. These conditions were not treatable or curable.
The mother and the pups were being cared for by a senior vet and his family! If what you’re saying about the health issues is correct, then why is it the vet didn’t pick up on it? Surely if they were as BAD as you say, then he would have noticed it. What a pathetic excuse to try and save your so called ‘reputation’. Any excuse to put down poor innocent animals.
Hope you can sleep at night knowing what your organisation does!
I have viewed the video of the mother and pups, none of them appear to be in any pain, let alone significant pain. I find it. Wry strange that RSPCA say ALL the pups had hip and leg problems. How does all pups in the litter have a health problem, very rare for ALL the pups to have it. RSPCA trying to cover up. I will NEVER give the RSPCA another cent. I won’t buy for their shop, their online store, or any fundraiser a such as million paws walk. Shameful.
I do so hope that you, and all others who are not only disgusted with what has happened in this case (and all other cases where dogs and cats are being put down unnecessarily), will send your thoughts direct to the RSPCA, and let them know you will no longer support them. I am a funding supporter also, but until I let them have it both barrels and find out what they intend to do about this, i will also with-hold donations from them. (Trouble is, then they might put more down because of lack of funds if we all stop supporting them…..) catch 22
So, ALL the puppies had those severe joint issues but a senior vet, who had raised them since birth, hadn’t noticed this? Excuse my language but you’re full of sh*t!!
I will now support only NON KILL Shelters and Lort Smith Animal Hospital in Melbourne.
Noreen I completely agree with what you said. NEVER EVER EVER!!! will i be donating to the RSPCA. That is just the most cruelest thing i have ever heard in my entire life. I am re-posting this on my facebook and shamed these disgusting non-human people. How dare they take Izzy and her babies lifes away. WRONG JUST WRONG WRONG WRONG!!!!!!
Where is the health report backing this justification of health problems; I hope they are sueing you.
Baloney, pups we too young to evaluated these health issues, they were in the care of a vet and his wife I think he would have spotted any health issues.
The video of these puppies romping and playing and wagging their tails makes it glaringly obvious that your pathetic excuse for killing them is patently false! Even IF they actually had such awful issues, the fees you were charging for each puppy could have been waived and donations put toward their pain relief and rehabilitation with the Senior Vet you had entrusted them to.
You’re a liar. An outright liar. There was nothing wrong with those babies. RSPCA will not get one cent of my money again. I will ensure none of my friends or family spend money with you, or donate to you. This is disgraceful and you should feel completely ashamed of yourself and your ”business”.
This is quite obviously a lie to try to cover up your stupid action. One of the carers was a senior vet, he would have picked up on it earlier. Also in these pics and video both the mum and pups look completely healthy. If they had “joint issues” they would have trouble walking around.
I’m unsure what condition you could possibly be talking about that was untreatable. On the video they didn’t appear to be that abnormal, they had a normal gait and were playing with their siblings. I would like clarification of what exactly you claim was wrong with them. Knowing they were being fostered by a vet why didn’t you give the vet the chance to look at the abnormalities and evaluate over time. It’s really not possible to determine that a four week old pup is unsuitable. Certain conditions will get better over time and even if they don’t you could certainly give them a chance. What tests did you do? Who was it that decided there condition was untreatable?
They are NOT false allegations – they are true and too many people KNOW they are true.
Come clean and admit that you take donations under false pretences!!!
Oh and please do send me another letter David – like I told you in response to the last one – you CANNOT be sued for telling the truth!!!
Hip & Patella issues cannot be diagnoses at 4 – 8 weeks. The female dog was not showing such severe signs in the video.
When is luxating patella not curable??? A vet was caring for them….seriously I too am in this industry and the RSPCA is a joke!!!
Those puppies in the videos certainly do not look like they were in any pain at all. They were running around and their little tails were wagging like crazy!
There are also many, many more ‘stories’ just like this involving the RSPCA. Personal accounts from people. They can’t ALL be ‘false allegations’.
On top of this, why would anyone be making false accusations against an organisation if it did the right thing by the animals?
This is a HUGE bare faced lie. There were no issues that I could see. Show me the xrays! Yes, I can decipher them. They were up and moving fine. There was no indication of movement that was NOT normal. As for the mother-her problem??? If they were in that much pain, being that young, they would not have moved as they were moving in the video. This ‘organization’ is on the same level as PETA who killed 82% of the dogs they ‘saved’ last year alone. Nice, wonderful, ‘organizations.’ These are no better than the puppymill she was ‘saved’ from. Even if there were issues, perhaps you should have gotten a second opinon from a real rescue group that cares. I saved a cleft lip puppy that most would have put down last year. She’s doing just fine. Yes, it’s a mid line and she may have other issues, but she deserved a chance. There are things in this world that are worth taking the higher road, not the easy road.
I absolutely believe you killed Izzie and her puppies for no good reason. The. RSPCA in NSW is no better.
I work for a rescue group and they are no help at all when we need action. Too much concentration on promoting your GOOD name and not enough ACTION. The amount of people who report to the RSPCA and get no action is ridiculous. We have so many people coming to us for help after they get none from your organisation.
TIME TO MAKE CHANGES if you want to retain an ounce of respect!
Help the little people who are trying to change laws. Get behind the many groups trying to stamp out Puppy Mills and Backyard breeders,.
Once again how could you kill those dogs, I’ve had worse foster dogs who were rehomed, absolute crap!
What an excuse..as if a Vet would not have noticed that…You guy will take all the donations you can get just to fill your Pockets, you give a damn about pets you will do what suits you.
I for once will not donate a cent to you guys anymore.
I’ve been a vet nurse for close to 30 yrs. I’ve witnessed thousands of newborn puppies with genetic or congenital birth defects from Swimmer Puppy Syndrome, cleft palate, Hydrocephalus, luxating patella, Scoliosis, just to name a few. Some of these defects can be diagnosed pretty much straight away, although “significant joint abnormalities” are not included in these. The video shown CLEARLY shows these pups playing happily. Sure, they are awkward on their feet, but I suspect they are only just discovering their coordination, and they most certainly do not move in a way that is indicative of being in pain. Being in the care of a senior Veterinarian, I find it utterly impossible that these puppies were in any way shape that you have stated. Izzy has obviously had a tough start to life, but I was under the impression that the RSPCA is an organisation that gives dogs like Izzy a second chance, not give up on her.
In my time within the field, I have since refused to work with the RSPCA, for reasons I will not go into here, but that do reflect this story in some way. I understand that some animals are too far gone to save, but if they survive, then they deserve a chance.
You are a blatant liar. There was nothing wrong with those pups. How could you evaluate an 8-week-old pup for joint problems? Lies. And why were they evaluated for temperament at 8 weeks? You will never have the advantage of me, my friends or family or anyone else I tell this about supporting you whether sharing your posts for help or monetary donations of 1 penny. I hope they investigate to the bone. What despicable people you are. You “say” you’re for animals. You need to be run out of town on a rail and never be able to have contact with any animal again. We will all be sharing what you have done and what the investigation reveals. Nothing good will come of this for all of you involved. Furthermore, the investigation needs to include where the money goes that you do get. $700 per pup? Someone there took those babies to sell for their own gain. You will never make me believe otherwise.
So mother and puppies all had “significant” problems, did they? Prove it. I call bulls**t and obviously I’m not the only one. Let’s see the hip and elbow xrays that would conclusively back up this excuse. If these dogs who, through NO fault of their own, were euthanized simply because the RSPCA didn’t give a damn then shame on everyone involved, particularly the one who did the injections and ended their lives. Hope you can live with yourselves, you heartless liars.
Oh, really? Were they all radiographed and evaluated by board certified orthopaedic veterinarians to determine that each and every one of them suffered these painful diseases? (Which are rarely if ever diagnosed in such young dogs, as they are still growing…) Or, rather than euthanizing the RSPCA actually SELL these obviously healthy and well socialized animals at a profit????
Either way, it is despicable.
The proof is in the pudding RSPCA WA. If they had all those issues, where’s the proof? Did you notify the foster family first? Somebody is lying.
What a ridiculous thing to say. Absolutely absolutely ridiculous,
I highly doubt the veracity of this claim as these puppies look absolutely fine and do not appear to have serious physiological issues.
Absolutely nonsense.
Tell you what: YOU go get the X-Rays and we’ll believe you, but making such ludicrous comments about a few puppies mere weeks old is just nonsense.
This is totally disgusting and unacceptable. How can you people just murder an entire little family and then lie about why you did it. How stupid do you think people are? How can any of you sleep peacefully at night? Karma is a bitch and I hope she comes around full circle on each and every one of you! Shame on you all!
What utter tarradiddle. Those pups looked 100% in the photos and the videos. As a Cavalier breeder for 25 years, I could see nothing wrong. What exactly were the “back” issues. Was the LP supposed to be median or lateral? I could see signs of neither. The “senior vet ” would have picked this up if there had been a problem.
No more dontations -= ever = from me
This beaks my heart & makes me so angry. The RSPCA would rather kill HEALTHY dogs than give them to 2 of their dedicated volunteers. This article clearly states the husband was a vet. Surely he would know if the puppies had ANY of those conditions YOU claim they had.
You are crazy to kill this sweet little dog and her babies!!! Anyone would have taken them, you all need to be shut down and you can forget about getting any donations from me. You should be ashamed of yourselves all you want is the money and you kill the dogs so you don’t have to spend anything on them.
I call BS you are just trying to cover your hind end in all this she was willing to foster the whole family of pups and the mom and you killed them why cause she couldn’t fork over $700.00 per pup…. she called repeatedly to check on these babies and when asked for a meeting then ya have the nerve to tell her you have killed them you all are heartless if there was a problem with them why wasn’t the foster told so she might be able to get donations to vet them properly you all are just a bunch of liars and thieves
Are you suggesting the veterinarian caring for them is incompetent?
BTW you don’t assess hips at 4 weeks or even 8 weeks, the earliest you can do an (evidence based) Penn hip examination is 16 weeks of age!
So RSPCA WA why was the mother put down ??? & why were the foster carers not told Straight away about what had happened !!! No longer will you recieve any donations from me or any of my Family & friends !!! SHAME ON YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So why was the volunteer told they FAILED a behaviour test????
Why did her husband “a senior vet” not see these “abnormalities” ????
just add this to all the other inhumane activities of the RSPCA – Australia Wide!
Disgraceful organisation….would never trust them after having to surrender my own loved and beautifully tempered dog 12 years ago (through no fault of my own)…she lasted less than 12hours in your “shelter”…….despite guarantees a home would be sought for her. Within 12hrs of surrendering her I found a new owner and called & was informed she had been euthanised for ‘failing the temperament test” ABSOLUTE BULL! Your organisation should be ashamed!
What a pack of bullshit RSPCA, those puppies and their mum looked fine – hardly in pain. Just shows you are a money hungry pack of liars with little regard to the animals or the carer who was caring and supporting them. I’ve had my doubts about this organization for a very long time, and have come to the conclusion that whilst my bum points to the ground I will never donate to you again!
OMG are you serious we use RSPCA pet insurance & some of the money for this is SUPPOSE to go to the health & care of these kinds of dogs. I am furious & quite ready to cancel my pet insurance for another company who doesn’t collect money under false pretences!!!!! As a leukaemia patient I am appalled that healthy animals are put down where there is no real need. Would the vets put me down because I have leukaemia???? I am ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED!!!!
Shame on you RSPCA… SHAME ON YOU!!!
Michelle – please cancel your pet insurance. Don’t give any money to the RSPCA – they use the funds to kill animals.
Michelle, find another pet insurance company. I am not giving the RSPCA another cent.
Michelle – please find another insurance company for your beloved animals – pronto!!!
I had RSPCA pet insurance for my cat and dog.. Before that I had Real Pet Insurance (I wouldnt recommend them either). I explained to the RSPCA the problems our girl dog has and they were quite happy to take her on knowing her problems, and take my money.. As soon as the next expensive vet appt came up, I rang them to find out what I do to go about making claims, only to be told that it was an ongoing problem and they would not cover her for it.. AFTER I had explained the situation before signing up and paying more for it being an ongoing problem!! They love to take money but are not willing to help out those who need it. They refused to cancel my pet insurance so I changed banks and told them to bite me and I’d see them in court if they chose to go on with it.. Of course they didnt. Why would I get insurance and explain the problems if I didnt need it?
I also used to go out of my way to donate to the RSPCA as often as I could… They do NOT get a CENT from me anymore.. I would much rather my $’s go to a real organisation (with a NO KILL policy) who wont come up with dodgy excuses and KILL innocent animals… Seems to me a lot of our donated $’s go to Hierarchy pays and television commercials. Every 2nd ad block (approx) has an RSPCA ad thrown in there..
As for this story, it’s a very sad one. Yet, there are so many other cases that they totally ignore or wait until things get too hard before acting on it… If a Senior Vet (retired or otherwise) saw no problems in the puppies, and they were growing and interacting very well with children, how do they (RSPCA) come to these conclusions? How can you justify killing 4 little healthy puppies (I’d believe the Retired Vet before 1 comment from someone saying they’re from the RSPCA) and their mother, when they were so well looked after by this family… AND if you’re going to KILL these animals, why not at least give them back to the family for them to make that choice if they had to.. One month worth of feed and all the other added extras (from their own pockets) and you still wanted $700 for adopting 1 of them.. You are losing a lot of people who used to have a lot of respect for your organisation!!
Please cancel your insurance with them! We use Trupanion for our dogs! They ROCK!!
Thanks for sharing this story. I was a big supporter of the RSPCA and regularly donate money and now that I’ve seen this, it has changed my view of the RSPCA entirely. I adore cavs, as I have 2 myself and they have the best temperament I have ever seen in a breed. They are loving, affectionate and such great companions. I don’t believe they were put down because of so called hip problems. Because I love cavs that much I would have taken them all in just to make sure they weren’t killed, no matter how much money it cost.
I their anything the public can do?
this a Terrible act upon the rspca they should be ashamed of themselves for putting the poor animals through that somewhat kind of pain maybe they should have some poison injected into them to see how they would like it …
my heart breaks for the family that never got there dog and the puppies back what a terrible thing for that family who would have grown and got attached to them the RSPCA ur a disgrace
I was an RSPCA Inspector in SA. That WA Inspector is right. The same thing is happening here, and that Inspector will be scapegoated. We MUST get an Independent National Parliamentary Enquiry to look into these claims.
Murders is all i can say, RSPCA should never have killed those puppies or their mommy, Shame on you RSPCA and the people who helped carry out such barbaric actions, and here i was thinking about joining the RSPCA for my beloved dogs but now you all can go to hell……….Never ever will i trust the RSPCA again……………
I’m no expert but these puppies look healthy and happy to me. They are wobbly on their feet but isn’t that normal? So tragic if this is true…….
And hereby hangs a tale, I have refused point blank for many years now to fund the RSPCA, they pick and choose who lives and who dies on a whim, many animals for adoption are not properly assessed, and so many end up going back, and this method seems to me to be done because as a Charity, they are not liable to refund adoption fees, nor are they obliged to replace an animal that is unsuitable with one that is …. I detest the Organization PERIOD !
HOW COULD THEY ?????????????????????????
THIS IS DISGUSTING
Shut the R$PCA down now!!!
Take their Charity status away . Take their assets, their bank accounts and everything they have under the Proceeds of Crime Legislation.
Get people in there that DO care about animals. I spread this story and got a letter from the CEO threatening me with a law suit. I replied and told him that you cannot be sued for the truth. Finally this story is out in the public arena.
And this is one we know of – how many others are there that we don’t know about!!!
RSPCAWA policy is any animal under 12 weeks will not need to under a take temperament test , so why these ones ? As an ex employee I have many issues that the public need to know about and need to be addressed regarding the animals welfare, this will never happen until outside authorities make the organisation answerable. Myself and a number of others in the Veterinary profession left because of the high number of euthanasias , policies that were outdated and failing the animals and the inability to get changes made for the better. We all tried when we left (for the animals sake otherwise who would need the stress) and were threatened with legal action. I believe things have not improved.
Over 20 years ago I was placed by Bentley College of TAFE with the Belmont RSPCA Veterinary Clinic and Kennels that operated then as part of my Veterinary Nursing Certificate. I thought coming from a farming back ground where if the animal wasn’t healthy and profitable then reality was the animal wasn’t viable on the farm that I would be able to cope with the knowledge that not every animal is savable…What I wasn’t able to cope with is that one whole afternoon a week was spent helping to euthanase animals. Cats and Kittens, Dogs and Pups, Birds, Rabbits, Sheep, Cows and Horses if it had been in the Kennels to be re homed and hadn’t gone in a week it was history… If it required more than a basic checkup and minor treatment it was history. If it made too much noise or misbehaved it was history. If it wasn’t pretty it was history. If it stood still too long it was probably going to be history….Very few animals seemed to make it through the culling process and back out the front door. I was meant to be there for around 3 months…After 3 weeks it was too much for me and I had to beg my Lectures for another placement. Even back then they had a very warped concept of protection. :(
Please let the WA Government take action to ensure they cannot do this again. They need to have their policies and procedures taken from their hands and an independant body who have the interests of these sweet animals as their paramount importance given control..
Would that help much, given the WA Govt’s stance on supporting other culls already?
After reading this terrible article on a beautiful cavalier and her 4 puppies I am schooled and outragedc by this. RSPCA is a disgrace. While I understand that very sick, vicious and ferrel animals need to be PTS, ii am absolutely deveststed to learn that a mother cavalier ( the most loving breec) and her lovely puppies were killed. This has to stop
As awful as this is. This does not surprise me. It is also believed that someone somewhere is getting backhanded payments somewhere in regards to these puppy farms and back yard breeders. Why else are they still in business and why aren’t they willing to assist these groups trying to shut these places down and protect the animals…Instead they put more red tape in front of these groups and work against them. It is common knowledge that for sometime the RSPCA isn’t all it states it is. Is it crooked? Wouldn’t surprise me.
I think almost all SPCA, Humane Society, RSPCA are the most disgusting companies always under the umbrella of doing right for the protection of the animals. NOT
They kill them at a drop of the hat and then try and make excuses as to why they have done it, the general public need to know about what they actually do, then maybe the killing will stop.
What happened here is the worst none of them had a chance to live, they allow them to breath and enjoy life for 4 weeks then they kill them and their mother.
These people have no concience and can sleep at night. Sickening
My heart breaks for cath and her family!! Words fail me I’m discusted with the RSPCA ! Cath I know no matter what they can’t be brought back but you showed izzy and her pups kindness and love which izzy had never experienced you and your family should be proud of your efforts!!! Such a terrible thing to happen!!! Xxx
This is revolting! and turned my stomach. What is the point of these organizations!
Utterly disgusting! Stop supporting this group! Find a worthwhile group to support!
Disgusting I thought the RSPCA really cared ror animal welfare ,what a joke.
I’ve been a supporter of (and a donater to) the RSPCA for many years. After reading that story I will never donate to them again. I also have 2 rescued cavaliers, one who is particularly timid and I hate to think that they could’ve ended up in the same situation. Shame on you RSPCA, this is not how animals should be treated.
DISCUSTING POOR ANGELS
TOO SAD
Time the RSPCA had a wake up call. This is absolutely disgusting. They did not give any of these babies a chance. I would never take a dog to the RSPCA. They also have a reputation of off loading dogs that they think they can’t sell to rescue groups and actually charge rescue groups for the dogs. Have had nothing but negative experiences with RSPCA time they changed either their ways or their name.
Words fail me!
I would have taken there place so cruel, this has to stop!
This also happening in NSW the Rutherford branch of the RSPCA is also guilty of doing the same thing. Again no investigation, the whole organization needs to be investigated and charged under the cruelty animal act.
what you think you’ve heard is in actual fact a whole
lot of bullsh*t coming from a rescue group that
goes through and picks out the cutest little dogs
from the RSPCA buys them for less than $50 and then
sells them for $300+
so next time do some research before flapping your gums
you have no idea what your talking about
I think it is extremely arrogant of you to assume that non of the people commenting here have done any research on this subject and to also claim that others have no idea what they are talking about. There are plenty of well documented cases of issues with the RSPCA and if you read ALL the comments, you will find many of them are made by people with first hand experience. So maybe it’s you who doesn’t know what you’re talking about!
Really??? You think rescue groups spend their money on buying dogs??? What a load of utter bullsh*t, you either obviously work for the RSPCA or have been turned down by a rescue group ‘cos they didn’t think you were an appropriate person to take care of a pet. Most of the rescue groups I know don’t post photos of cute dogs or cats, just ordinary every day looking ones that only an animal lover could love, and I know how much money they spend on vet bills to make sure the animals in their care are healthy, desexed, and micro chipped….the cost of ensuring the animals in their care are healthy is probably what causes the RSPCA to put them all to sleep….if they can’t or won’t take care of them, they should be surrendered to a rescue group (not sold!!!) so that the animal has at least a chance of a life.
Ok so maybe I worded my first comment rudely but I get about as worked up about people criticizing staff and policies as you all do about what you’ve seen above. In fact I am neither a worker or rejected from a rescue, I have collected my dog from being impounded when he’s escaped before and being curious I have spoken to staff about what happens to all the dogs whose owners never come, and I’ve also seen (whilst identifying my dog) a rescue standing at his kennel asking of they can have him once his impound period was up and they had a whole list of other dogs they wanted that technically still belonged to people. So when I went up and identified h as my dog I asked the staff what those people were doing and they told me that rescues go through the impound section and pick dogs they want to take, then once they are desexed and all the revues takes them for less than $50 and sells them for hundreds. Also the staff are human too only certain people can sign off on whether an animal can be euthanised and only certain people can do the behaviour tests because majority of the staff can’t handle the heartbreak if an animal fails and when an animal in their care fails they are devastated. All you people are so quick to judge and speak HORRIBLE things of people you don’t know, what makes you any better than the things you call them?
Also I don’t see any of you walking in and saying you’ll take all the dogs that fail behaviour and medical assessments, all the dogs that are aggressive and attack and all the dogs that have health issues that will impact on their quality of life.
Instead of whinging and bitching on a web page hiding behind your computer get out their and do something if you are really that disgusted and concerned!
Your missing the point, while you may be correct, you can not justify, the RSPCA WA, killing a 2 year old dog and her pups, they were in the care of a vet, you can’t diagnose the issues they claim at an early age, there are plenty of vets commenting on this here as well are you saying they are all wrong, sorry but people have a right to be angry and concerned when animals are murdered for no good reason, other than cost factor, sorry but it’s a government funded charity that isn’t policed and there should be an investigation as to why puppies and non viscious dogs are being killed, it takes more the 8 weeks to rehab a dog, I am sure everyone here would if they could and it didn’t cost $700 to adopt a dog….it’s disgusting, but I will say that in Queensland you can adopt a puppy for $99 from the RSPCA, not all branches of the RSPCA have the same practice, but these actions call for a full investigation across the board…
The RSPCA needs an investigation. The public are becoming increasingly aware of the massive kill-rates, the impossible temp tests, and the RSPCA’s $170 million in shares and investments. The RSPCA is a profit driven organisation. It is NOT about saving the lives of animals in their care. It is about profit at any cost!!!
That’s hilarious. Berating people for believing what they read and it comes from an anonymous troll with absolutely no facts provided.
This one made me physically sick. My Cavvie, also a seized breeding mum, was saved from the RSPCA needle twice. Through a convoluted process she ended up in my care. Missy is not without her problems. She was neglected and abused for 8 years. But with persistence I broke through and we’ve had 4 years of happy twirls, cheekiness and lip smacking chicken dinners (her, not me). Why, oh why would the RSPCA kill these dogs, these puppies, and deny someone else the joy I’ve had? Madness!!!!
I cried my little eyes out reading this. I had no idea. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I will make sure to spread Cath and Izzy’s story.
I can’t believe, but yes I can, the RSPCA are criminals and need investigating fully, not by State Governments but by the Federal Government. I believe rallies around Australia should be in order, might make the Government sit up and take notice and do something about these murdering scum!
GIVE YOUR MONEY TO NO KILL SHELTERS ! The RSPCA uses Your Donations to Kill Animals Every Day. They could affoed to become No Kill BUT instead use the money to Pay Wages, Advertise how great they are & to accrue interest.
SAY “NO MORE DEATH” or NO MORE MONEY !
I’ve had my own issues with the RSPCA in Burwood, Victoria and their money grabbing schemes. I was absolutely astounded when I drove there just recently, to see the enormous newly built complex they have there now that would have cost hundreds of thousands to build. And when you walk in the main entrance, the amount of large, empty wasted space was astonishing.
Maybe this is where the large proportion of all of your donations are going.
I too will no longer support the RSPCA in the future. When I next want to foster or adopt an animal, I will visit a rescue shelter instead.
Addit: I also have heard of a friend of a friend of mine, who resigned from the RSPCA because of the high volume of potentially unnecessary euthanized animals at the above complex.
Don’t shut the RSPCA down, but a governing body needs to step in and scrutinize their procedures.
Krazee The new building the RSPCA has at Burwood, Vic was built with money left to them. The benefactor want a new up to date building .
Then they should have spent it on housing for more animals to give them more time, rather than fancy lobbies and (no doubt) plush staff offices.
Bloody outrageous is an understatement. I think those that sanctioned this should be charged with animal cruelty. There is plenty of evidence from a vet to support any charges. RSPCA you shoul hang your heads in shame.
RSPCA WA are an absolute disgrace. They are a law unto themselves and treat every single other rescue or shelter group with disdain. I don’t know why this is when these groups are all doing so much of a better job than them!!! They refuse to work with them, believing them all to be “crazy, irrational, troublemakers” Truly unbelievable. Sadly most of the public do not see how pathetic they are as an animal “protection” group. I’m going to do everything I can to let them know the real truth. RSPCAWA have the ability to be proactive and change the rules but choose to hide behind the “red tape” Bull sh…t. This story of poor Izzy and her beautiful pups is too sad for words…but I am going to keep the story alive so something comes from this madness……..
If Cavaliers cannot be rehomed someone is just not trying. I would have found homes for all inside a week and I am notoriously fussy plus living in the country. This is not my first intolerable experience with the RSPCA. Some of the staff are great but they are mainly in the minority and feeling overwhelmed.
This does not surprise me at all. I used to foster kittens for RSPCA in Victoria and they put them down because they had not made enough weight that week. Naturally I was very upset as they had been in my home and we loved them. I complained to the head of RSPCA but received no acknowledgement of my letter, it seems they received a lot of complaints but are answerable to no one. I left and started my own rescue group because I realised they were wrong and there had to be a better way than the constant killing.
I feel totally gutted by this shocking story………………..I hate to think how Cath and her family feel.
What Vet could work within this regime?
This is happening all over the country. I demand that all animal shelters have a print out of the breed standard for pedigree dogs. The standards state what temperament triates the breed should have. Some breeds are reserved with strangers so they will not pass the tests in place. These are loving animals at our mercy. I no longer support the RSPCA and haven’t for many years. I do breed the odd litter myself and am a member of a controlling dog body and all my puppies and dogs go to their new homes with a clause that if, for any reason, the dog can no longer stay , it is to come back to ME. I do not want any dog that I bred ending up in a shelter
Absolutely appalling… nothing short of cold blooded murder.
How many innocent lives have to be taken before the politicians have any balls to stop this barbaric behaviour from people who call themselves “human”. This has to stop NOW.
Politicians working at their best. They are allowing this continue… RSPCA is Government.
I hope there was a full enquiry into this murder This should be shown on television if not already. Everybody who donates to RSPCA should be told of what goes on behind closed doors
I am appalled that with this situation….. i recall very clearly another situation where a litter of cockers were made seriously ill due to an inspectors good intentions that litter was killed due to giving them toxic water…….
i have had rescue cavs that thankfully after readig this did not go through the RSPCA…. they saved my life as much as i saved them
The RSPCA are disgusting and need to held accountable. But so do the backyard breeders and puppy millers who over-breed these poor animals in the first place for profit.
I will never donate a single cent to that reprehensible organisation, and I regularly tell others to do the same. Unfortunately, many people are under the impression that they really are there to help animals…
They are NOT. They are corrupt and profit-driven – NOT how a CHARITY should be acting. They regularly fail the animals they are duty-bound to protect. And their so-called “policies” are a joke, with many bordering on criminal under the Animal Cruelty Act they are meant to uphold.
BUT…if irresponsible people weren’t breeding these animals in the first place, they wouldn’t ever have to cross paths with the RSPCA. It’s just a shame that, when they do, the RSPCA can’t see past their own pockets.
How heart breaking this is disgraceful shame on u RSPCA u heartless pigs
DISGUSTING! the deserve a go at life just like human children!
I did work experience at the RSPCA around 5 yrs ago. I ended up giving up on it because i felt the treated the animals unfairly and i couldn’t cope with it, i didn’t like the way they means tested them at all. They never take into account where these animals have come from or how they have been treated. If they don’t get the points they don’t get to live. This is not just happening in WA it is also happening here in NSW.
This is absolutely disgusting!
the tears rolled down my face as l read this. l would never give my money to the RSPCA again l thought they were ment to help save and rehome animals not slaughter them in that way. Poor izzy and her family and no hope at all how could 4 week old pups have behaviourally problems when the world is so new to them. As for izzy she just needed some time to show her love and trust back which it sounded like she was begining to do. All l can say is at least she was shown some love before her life was taken away. The RSPCA has alot to answer for on this one.
How could they!! must be a maniac running the WA RSPCA branch as Cavvie’s would be one of the most re homeable of animals AND little mum already had a loving home ( $700 adoption fee ?? ) As for the 4 week old pups, well what can be said except its utterly disgusting ( and stupid).
So sorry little family that you fell into the hands of probably one of the worst places you could end up-all creatures great and small what a joke, time the general public were made aware of the many failures of the RSPCA and exactly WHERE their donation go.
I truly wish I had not read this story but am happy in other ways that I did…what message are places like RSPCA sending out to people? they are hypocrites and totally going against there mission statement…I can not even contemplate why and what real reason did they have to do such an awful thing to these beautiful little dogs…it is as if they never even gave these poor little things a chance at life…I truly believe a message needs to be put out there for public support against such things happening…it needs to be put out into the media and disgrace them for who they really are…this is so heartbreaking….
At the very least the person who made the decision to slaughter Izzie and her puppies should be forced to provide the reasons why such a decision was undertaken. This is just the tip of the iceberg. If you have any knowledge of the Greyhound racing world, you scratch your head wondering how the RSPCA could condone the behaviour and killing of so many dogs each year.
That is so disgusting. I am appaulled.
Its about time the RSPCA was subjected to a investigation into its practices and just were all the donations are actually going. It is not as good as people seem to think, it is not caring to animals as people seem to think, and I am glad that at last at least one horror story is getting out there. I hope this little whisper turns into a huge shout, and someone, or many someones are help accountable. Little Izzy is one of 100’s of critters that have been wronged by the RSPCA.
This is DISGUSTING..The puppies were lovely and poor mum Izzy was getting the love she deserved.
The carers did everything for them and yet the RSPCA destroyed all of them..they would have been so upset.
I think it is about time the media got hold of this story and others to let everyone know what they are like
I am disgusted.
As a cavalier owner myself I am outraged by this story. This organization needs to be stopped. All of those dogs could have and would have found loving forever homes. I am disgusted beyond words!!!
What an absolute disgrace. Someone should report this to Animals Australia so they can get the petition going the local & state MP’s.
This is happening in the RSPCA Wacol shelter as well.
>”This is happening in the RSPCA Wacol shelter as well.”
Do you have details Meegan? Wacol is the closest shelter to me and where I would normally take strays I’ve found.
RSPCA…you are despicable human beings and you should NOT be allowed near any animals..You do Nothing to save a life! I would say you should be ASHAMED but being Heartless low life’s as yourselves you wouldn’t care…I would never Donate a single cent to your so called organisation..You make me sick!!!!
You are Heartless so called Human Beings!!!!.. You are there to SAVE beautiful Angels but No..YOU would prefer to destroy them or come up with any pathetic excuse not to Help!!! You should be closed down and let the REAL organisations help, rescue and SAVE life’s !!!! You make me SICK!!!
This mom and her pups should not have been killed……All these big animal welfare organisations get money for each dog they kill so why will they stop killing……the Lost Dogs Home in Melbourne is just like this…
It’s crazy to think that these shelters have so much power of the innocent lives of dogs/cats. Going in one of these places most likely means they will never get out :-( The government needs to step in and regulate properly with consultation with true animal carers.
How can a puppy fail a test even still how can you test a puppy…??? pfffffffft ridiculous!!!!
I hate to read this but I belive every word is true.Many years ago we lived near some very poor people who had a sick dog.
RSPCA came,put the dog down,then charged them with a cruelty case.They had no car,no way of getting the dog to the Vets or pay him.They did try and it was very distressing for them and their kids to face court over what was a bad situation for them.
After the RSPCA killed an old ladies cows during a drought when she was trying her hardest to feed and care for them I have written them off as a bad,sad joke.Even mothers with new calves were all slaughtered.