Hundreds, if not thousands, of comments have been posted on this blog, my facebook page, and on people’s personal social media channels. Practically every one is asking the same thing… how did this happen?
However if you visit the RSPCA WA homepage, or Facebook page – you’ll find no reference to Izzy. Every one of the comments from the pet loving public has been deleted. Ask more than once and you’ll find yourself suspended.
So, since the RSPCA won’t answer – I will.
It happened because the RSPCA WA doesn’t answer to you as a pet lover.
The RSPCA WA doesn’t answer to their foster carers.
The RSPCA WA doesn’t answer to bloggers like me.
The RSPCA WA doesn’t answer to local rescue groups, or breed rescue groups.
The RSPCA WA doesn’t answer to vets.
The RSPCA WA doesn’t even answer to its donors and supporters.
They are the unquestionable authority – not to be disputed or doubted.
And that is how they’d like to keep it. Everyone shut up and go away now please.
Last year the RSPCA WA took in $8 million dollars in revenue, including donations and bequests.
They held an additional $9 million in financial assets.
In the same year, they adopted out just 254 dogs and 257 cats.
(The number of pets killed is not included in their annual report)
They do not answer to us, because we’ve not required it of them. This must change.
Izzy and her family are not coming back. But their story has changed everything,
Never has so many people asked the question how did this happen? The question we now need to be asking is, how do we make sure it never happens again?
We need the RSPCA WA to stop treating us all with contempt and start answering to us.
If these things do not happen, the RSPCA WA may win the right to continue ‘business as usual’, but the pets will lose.
We cannot accept the current reality as our future one.
I agree with this. Should the politicians like Tony Abbott also help to correct these wrongs?
Why would you expect Tony Abbott to do anything .. he hasn’t got an iota of humanity in him, for people, for animals, or for darling little dogs … you would be p…. in the wind to expect him to do anything at all.
I totally agree with you Judy, Tony Abbott has shown that he dos’nt give a hoot about out dissability people, their carers, our children’s education, so why would he care about unwarranted youthinacia of our pets and animals. He should be sacked just like Whitlem was and the sooner the better for our country.
What they are doing is so very wrong,hurtful and above all,very disrepectful.How can this be changed,how can we get this changed
What does RSPCA stand for ? I have always been under the impression it was PROTECTION OF ANIMALS . Or am I wrong?
People who donate their money to this organization need to start asking these questions to the RSPCA.. They should know what their money is being used for. RSPCA needs to be held accountable for the atrocities they are commiting against the very thing they are supposed to be protecting-the innocent animals..
The RSPCA should be investigated thoroughly …this is absolutely disgusting…..This organization with their assessing & behavioural testing stinks….years ago there was no behavioural testing & dogs did just fine…grew up with families with no problems at all…I am thinking that this an easy way out for this organization….doing behavioural testing on babies at this age would be a joke….these are little babies & their mother has been through enough in her life & then to have babies is such a shock to her system….she needed the tender loving care she was getting from the foster carers…..they have treated the foster carers like a bit of dirt,….these people are so hard to find they shouldn’t be treated this way….in this case a Vet….I am sure he would have seen any problems with these puppies with his background…..RSPCA I will never donate anything to your organizaton EVER….you are a disgrace to the pet rescue industry….your name is MUD!!
This organisation MUST be investigated Australia wide. So many horror stories from everywhere!
I have never been a fan of the RSPCA. I have questioned what they do often. We need to unite as we have to be the voice for innocent animals as they cannot speak for themselves.
The RSPCA are a disgrace. They have been so disrespectful to the foster carer as well as these dear little animals. How can we believe what they are saying now in regards to the state of the puppies? Furthermore, what can we do to reduce their powers? Do we need to lobby the politicians?
Absolutely brilliantly said.
SHAME on the RSPCA – SHAME on them.
50 years of supporting them has now come to and end.
My donations will go to shelters with a “no kill” policy.
Totally agree with you, Jan – we have supported them for years – allbeit in Queensland – but no more! :'(
Lets all face it, WA is a horrible place to live if you are an animal lover…look at the Premier..wish he was at the end of a hook…as for the RSPCA…liars as well as in humane..probable knocked the pups on the head!
They need to get back to the job thy were formed to do – animal welfare – not kingdom building for their own egos.
For a non profit organisation they seem to have a lot of money and are always crying poor. I have said for years that the RSPCA has to be accountable to some one. There agenda is to be in control of all breeding, selling etc. I have never had any faith in them.
I had nothing bad to say about the RSPCA before our experience with Izzy but I am gob smacked how many people have first hand bad experiences with their internal machinations – in at least some parts of the country. Having said that we have a lot of contact with the Albany RSPCA and have nothing but good things to say about them. If people want to help these neglected animals I would suggest contacting the small community animal rescue groups as they are always severely underfunded full of good intention but in need of external support. The thing that most sticks in my gut about the RSPCAs response to Izzy was when the WA CEO of the organisation David Van Ooren sent letters to my wife Cath, and others, threatening legal action against us if we continued to bring publicity to the issue!!
It is absolutely true that they have not even been consistent in their reasons as to why the dogs were euthd or even if they were euthd or the circumstances in which a decision was made about their future. They would not discuss or allow review of any tests or radiographs performed in forming the opinion that mother and the whole litter had to be euthenased. The organisation is in need of renewal, starting with lopping some heads off. An organisation their size really needs to know how to respond to criticism – and threatening volunteers with legal action, cloaking the issue in misinformation and inconsistent information or just denying any information to concerned people outside who take issue with them is just Dumb-ass Leadership 101. We are not expecting that we will get an apology from David Van Ooren if it comes to pass that the initial communication that the dogs were euthenased was indeed a falsehood. Nor an explanation why that line was perpetrated by all whom we had contact with in the organisation including veterinarians, shelter workers and the CEO. Nor an apology for the threat of legal action against us for asking questions of them publicly about the matter. However, it must be said, that would be a sign that the people concerned, have re-evaluated their handling of the matter.
The WA RSPCA obviously needs a darn good clean out and I think it needs to start right at the top with the so called CEO
Hi David, what is your take on this ?
http://www.rspcawa.asn.au/about/news/update-from-ceo
They say Izzy was not euthanised.
I am in the US. Had no idea there were problems of this magnitude where you all are located. We have many abuses of the system here, too. Horrified that the RSPCA WA has this kind of power and abuses it.
Let them threaten you with legal action, then the media can have a field day with your story. You wont lack funding for your plight either, as I am sure all those who would otherwise donate to the RSPCA, would be willing to redirect those funds to someone more worthy such as yourself….. shame on the RSPCA shame!!!!
It’s time the RSPCA were answerable to somebody. They are a law unto their own. Their story about Izzy and her babies have changed countless times now, there was something fishy going on and they are covering it up. Either way it won’t bring them back but want we NEED to do, as the general public, is keep the pressure on. Stop donating to the RSPCA and donate to the smaller rescue groups who do an amazing job and get by on so little funding. Continue to harass the RSPCA and demand answers, stop accepting the high kill rate and force them to bow under pressure. I hope this doesn’t all get brushed under the carpet again and life continues as normal for the RSPCA and the poor animals that walk through their doors.
The only way that the RSPCA will ever change is to have consistent media exposure and questioning. Facebook isn’t good enough since they can delete and ban anythin/body they want. It needs to be in the papers, on TV, on the radio, etc. Every time anything, even slightly happens, the media must be called. Otherwise bloggers and like are just seen as nutters and whingers (so far from the truth). Most people only remember the cute stories and cuter photos. Their marketing needs to be countered by media coverage ad exposure. So how do we go about doing that??
I worked as a volunteer for the RSPCA Qld for 2 years, initially I was appalled to say the least at their lack of concern for animal welfare but thought I could make a difference.
How wrong I was…the RSPCA kills more dogs than they rehome, in the place I volunteered at there kennels were only EVER at 25% capacity (just to have some animals on show) and the staff complacent and irresponsible, lazy and happy to play the game to keep the pay packet rolling in.
And I sadly saw hundreds of happy well adjusted animals euthanized because the RSPCA were not willing to spend on food and vaccinations.
Remember, besides the millions they rake in every year in donations after publically declaring an influx of animals they actually never had, they are government funded.
The RSPCA ‘s priorities are now dubious financial ‘partnerships” with historically cruel industries, public fund raising and maintaining the wages of CEO’s and a staff that often is comprised of friends and others who will not speak out.
The RSPCA do very little unless they can get some publicity and the ensuing donations and ignore shocking animal abuse on farms when reported to avoid conflict with government donations.
If you care about animal welfare, please support non government funded no kill shelters who are actually out there making a difference.
The way to stop this abuse is take away the funding, donations to the RSPCA. $8 Million in donations and how much was actually utilized in the welfare of animals in need, my guess is a very small percentage of this is used towards the animals in need. The lies and abuse need to be called and this organization should be made accountable for the atrocities, shame on you RSPCA!!!
they need to be brought into line they have lost all Semblance of an organisation that cares for and protects animals..They have turned into a deceitful money making corporate entity
So some of the puppies have come back from the dead???????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! One of the reasons I WILL NEVER donate a cent to this farce of an organisation. At present we are feeding two abandoned mongrels with beautiful natues. Can’t keep doing so, it is not the money, it is that our council is pretty down on dogs. But, as always, someone will come along and we will rehome them
I agree, this is a disgraceful organisation… I’ve heard of stories of the RSPCA being brought lost animals and then reselling them, after advising the owners the animal hasn’t been found and replacing the microchips…. It’s a bloody disgrace…
I am absolutely appalled and disgusted. Does the RSPCA WA even want pet adoptions with a fee so ridiculously high?! If their management/administration costs are so high that they need to recoup them this way, surely they need to restructure and get back to the basics of why they’re there in the first place? And they absolutely MUST treat ALL welfare animals (and volunteers) with the kindness, respect and help they truly deserve!
I have been a volunteer at Animal Aid Coldstream Victoria and firmly believe in them, their staff and policies. I absolutely trust a situation such as this would NOT ever happen at Animal Aid and say thank goodness for their honest, caring treatment of all animals under their care, and their appreciation for their volunteers.
We need to band together and fight this head on. And not just through social media. Being seen and heard by the general public, many of whom have no idea what the RSPCA is truly like, is the way to go.
The shark cull protests went worldwide and bought the issue to light.
It’s time that the RSPCA was bought to account.
Where do you think the money comes from for the RSPCA to take people to court?
Where do you think the money comes from when they have to take hundreds of animals at a time eg puppy farms?
I’m not saying they’re perfect, or that there’s not ethical issues involved, but for those bleating on about the money, how about thinking about the animals that get justice in the courts, get blankets and care after being locked in cages all their lives as little breeding machines.
How many of you volunteer at the RSPCA?
There’s many sides to every story; their side, your side and the truth.
I did volunteer at the RSPCA WA many moons ago, even then they were euthanising animals with ringworm – which is a treatable and non life-threatening condition. Now I spend a great deal of my spare time working for a small community based rescue that operates on the goodwill of vets who give us discounted treatment, with the only sources of funding being adoption fees, a few chocolate drives and maybe 3 or 4 fundraising events a year. All on the back of people who are passionate about animals and don’t receive a cent. RSPCA only adopted out about 250 dogs last year… while bringing in 8 million dollars. It’s in their annual report. The small rescue I’m involved with managed 100 and there are many others in the community who are bigger rescues and would have easily topped the RSPCA figure… (SAFE and SABBR are the ones I am thinking of).
I don’t really find your position that useful though Naomi – I don’t think one needs to have volunteered at the RSPCA in order to criticise their practices and demand more transparency. They are meant to be serving the public. They get money from the public purse. They should be held accountable for their actions like any government agency can be!