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
This is an absolute disgrace. Many people would be glad to take a pup that was at risk. Shame on you, RSPCA – change your name.
F**k this! I’m a regular donator – NOT ANYMORE!!!!
Well, were they killed or did someone hi-jack them and sell them privately. What ever happened to these dogs…all sentiment and emotion aside, something very, very wrong has happened, and probably happens all the time. I am signing this petition as there needs to be a complete and thorough commission into their (The RSPCA) workings.
Regards,
Hazel Hodge
I was thinking the same thing, pure bred Cavaliers I don’t think so. They were probably sold out of the ‘books’.
I am a volunteer for the Rspca qld and I have to say that with what I just read I am disgusted. I have been volunteering out at my local adoption centre for two years and I have not seen any families of dogs put to sleep. They have all been rehomed.
Disgraceful that such rego able dogs and puppies are not given the chances they deserve I will never support the RSPCA and have not for many years from personal experience.
This makes my blood boil
Sarah
I am appalled and disgusted, but sadly not at all surprised by this. The stories about the unethical practices of the RSPCA have been circulating for years and no one has been able to bring them to account for their actions. Even sadder still is the fact there are still people who won’t take their blinkers off where this organization is concerned … just today I had a friend comment that it is “a pity people don’t concentrate on the good the RSPCA does”. The good? Killing an innocent mother and her pups? For heaven’s sake!
I will only support no-kill shelters and will not give one red cent to barbarians like the RSPCA!
I am typing this with tears dripping down my face, never again will I give to this so called animal welfare group. You are a disgrace.
Just the tip of the iceberg with RSPCA – they do not report to any other body so can do as they please. Even the police report to a higher authority. As to the pups have hip, patella problems?? I would have thought since Cath’s husband was a vet, he would have noticed a problem with the pups. Were xrays taken to confirm diagnosis?? Doubt it, that would cost money. As to hereditary timidity, what a load of crock. The poor bitch had never been socialised so of course she was timid and being in a noisy place like RSPCA, most dogs are.
Hopefully someone will start investigating the RSPCA and start getting answers.
Play safe at the Rainbow Bridge Izzy and family.
This also happens in the UK. The RSPCA take millions in donations from people every year here. They have the same morals and lack of respect for any living thing. As for your story I find it immoral and disgusting that they could do this to a beautiful family.
In the UK the RSPCA think that they are above the law, when in actual fact they have NO LEGAL right of entry to anyone’s home or property without a warrent served by a poilice officer – not many people actually know this. They have got away with this in every country for too long and I for one am sick and tired of reading and seeing what these so called “ANIMAL protectors” get away with.
Fair enough some of the cases that come to light are both distressing and could be avoided, but they seem to go for the people who work tirelessly for the good of there own animals. They get involved in things that are not necessary or needed in most cases.
I feel for you for the loss of these beautiful dogs and the end that they came too at the hands of the RSPCA, they should be held accountable for these appalling actions and prosicuted immediately – I know we would be taken to court if we did it.
It is time for a change.
I for one will never donate any money to the RSPCA as when my children were little we took a deaf puppy to them for re-homing, because he sqeeled ( due to his deafness) they told me in front of my young children that as soon as we left the puppy would be put to sleep as they couldn’t cope with the noise???
I never have never given anything to them since and that was 30 years ago.
This is the 2nd such article I have read about the shameful practices of the RSPCA. I sponsor dog’s at BARC (in Bali). Who get no funding and is completed run on donations from the puplic. They have a no kill policy…
Sorry but totally agree. RSPCA is full of sh!t nowadays. A few years ago they seized horses from a trainer… one of those horses was mine, I went in there with my proof of ownership and proof that I had been paying the trainer, and was told that I would never see my horse again. I never have. They had no interest that I knew the medical history and everything about all the horses from that property.
They are only out to make money nowadays. They themselves are part of the problem.
Even if the RSPCAWA’s response is true, not informing the foster carer immediately is very poor form.
Volunteers shouldn’t be pushed to seek meeting with CEO before the ‘truth’ is made ‘available’, in itself this is inhumane (to the volunteer), which doesn’t bode well for the humane treatment of animals.
Having seen the supposed ‘behavioural assessments’ on their own TV program I have had my doubts for many years.
Seeing the work of so many other non-kill shelters (yes, the actually deserve the title shelter), the RSPCA rehoming efforts are poor & really no better than ‘pound’ facilities (with high euthanasia rates). As they seem far too focused on the ‘rescue for TV or Court’ component of their ‘business’, I wish they’d let other places do the ‘rehoming & shelter components’ – better for all concerned.
I’m not at all surprised that a large number of animals are put down each year.
not commenting on this story.
The questions you need to ask before criticising (not this story) the number of animals put down/murdered each year:
1) how many animals are brought in?
2) what species are they?
3) what condition are they in?
4) what kennel space is there?
5) what kennel conditions are there (this one is the respinsibilit of the RSPCA, but kennel cough does happen in good kennels)
6) how many people come in to get a pet?
7) what pets do people want?
8) has any shelter/kennel/RSPCA ever been sued for allowing a dog to be adopted which then bit its new family? ie: pit bull
9) How much does it cost per animal to keep it alive?
10) how much money does the RSPCA receive?
11) how many staff and volunteers are there? how many are desired/required for more animals?
12) how many animals are actually helped/saved?
13) how many animals are, quite crudely, better off dead?
Some people have the opinion that any animal which is dumped or seized – any animal without an owner – should be put down, and save a lot of costs. If the RSPCA saves (completely hypothetically) 2% of the pets it gets, is that enough? how many is enough? which animals should not be included in calculating the totals? and how would you suggest it gets higher? at what point is that number too low to bother, and should all animals be killed? or killed unless claimed in two days flat? how much should be the adoption costs?
As an animal and dog lover I am flabberghasted and gutted by this story. Any respect for this organisation has just flown out the window.
“An RSPCA spokesman said there were “very clear” and “well-developed” policies relating to the euthanasia of animals.”
Really! Can you release all these policies? How are they policed? Who does the audits? What are the results of the audits? Any failures? Disciplinary Action or Rectification? Betting all I get is silence.
This is low. I worked for a dog shelter and I was the one to do the tests on the new dogs and then decide if I could train them up or have to be put down. Only 1 out of the entire time I was there had to be put down and it was a bred fighter that was badly wounded and had issues with biting and attacking people and dogs. Everything else lived. We got between 3-8 new dogs off the street everyday and that was a very low funded shelter that sold dogs no higher than $150 each. I thought RSPCA was supposed to be the most funded so why is the prices so high? and are they against animal cruelty? they are performing animal cruelty, hypocrites. I am so raged at this. People put so much heart and money into rehabilitating these lovely Dogs and RSPCA is just destroying all the hard work and innocent lives.
HAHAHA, WA Government is worried RSPCA has no grounds to terminate a pets life yet goes out and blindly kills sharks and dumps their carcasses out at sea, without even using their meat. Bloody hypocrites wake up.
Sad that these animals are being terminated when they had a home to go to though.
What a disgrace – you have to question what sort of person made that decision! So upsetting! I think if you can hurt an animal you are capable of lot worse!
I am disgusted with what happened to these poor dogs I will never support another RSPCA fundraiser. If adoption fees weren’t so high maybe more caring people could afford to adopt animals.
If this is completely true, I am appalled and devastated at the same time. That poor family must have been absolutely shattered when they found out what had actually happened. The problem is who is the RSPCA answerable to?
YOUR A DAM DISGRACE NEVER GET A CENT FROM ME KILLERS JUST AS BAD AS CHINA & JAPAN SHAME ON ALL OF YOU
I am disgusted RSPCA should be ashamed OMG how dare you
I am so shocked something needs to be done about this
Only one comment from the WA RSPCA I guess it became clear that you can’t defend the indefensible
Hi, I believe Morris is alive!!!! Our family adopted a little puppy called Morris from the RSPCA WA in Feb/march 2013 & he looks just like his Mum. We were told that he came from a puppy farm seizure & that the mother was pregnant at the time of the seizure. We were also told that he was the only surviving puppy as all others had to be put down due to in-breeding problems that caused physical issues such as no knee joints. He is now known as Monty & is a gorgeous boy, living happy & healthy with my mum. I feel very sad reading what has transpired above & will share with the rest of my family.
This is absolutely disgusting destroying animals lives for no reason, why weren’t those animals given back to the people who were looking after them, why did the RSPCA kill them, those people should be sacked, they are suppose to be there to save animals this shows they prefer to kill not save, how many other poor animals have they killed for no reason, put people in these positions who care for animals, and make sure something is done about this situation, RSPCA how bloody digusting.
RSPCA IS A FARCE, they are not there to help animals unless there is a buck in it for them.
Two times we found stray cats, took them to the RSPCA only to be turned away.
A Cavalier King Charles dog same colouring as the one above was found on the side of the road and taken to the RSPCA suffering a smashed femur, he had been hit by a car. He was also turned away, they wouldn’t even let the lady take him inside so they could scan him for a chip!
The dog was chipped and a nearby kennel scanned him and contacted the owners.
RSPCA are a disgrace, I will never donate to them again.
I no longer support the RSPCA in any shape of form. I have cancelled my pet insurance with them and other than trying to get animals -out- of their clutches I want nothing to do with this horrendous organisation.
Rspca, killing animals great and small…….
look up what they did to moorook animal shelter, a no kill shelter in S.A.
OMG this is horror at its best. I have been told by people who do these behavior test that it is unfair to the dogs and puppies. They take them out of their comfort zone and they are scared and unsure of what is going on. This poor dog Izzy was from a breeding place of course she would have some issues why is it that we will fund and rehabilitate pedophiles but will do nothing to rehabilitate an innocent animals. RIP Izzy and her babies.
I’m horrified, I will never give money to the RSPCA again .
This should be looked into as they receive a lot of money from us the public.
Spread the story.
Janette McSwiney
Come on R S P C A….. What more do you have to say?? I say go to the newspapers
and tell the whole world. I’m from England and they are no better here.
People would rather see a slightly neglected dog with an owner than ring the RSPCA
because everyone knows they do nothing or take it away and murder the poor thing.
I made a report to the RSPCA some time ago about a homeless man an a tiny puppy out in the snow.
He was kicking it and very drunk. They never got back to me, I rung and I wrote finally they called back
and said “nothing’s been documented?”
Absolute waste of time. Got the outfits haven’t they, the vans…
The adverts… But can’t document a cruelty matter.
I WILL never send money to the RSPCA again you read it and weep.
Instead there’s a lady who cares for as many as she can, along with birds and
Wildlife. She gets MY money and support now.
Guess what R S P C A, she has no uniform or flashy new vans.
ALL the money raised goes to animals, even her own life savings was used
to start it all.
R idicolius S pongeing C cruel A rseholes
Remember that everyone
This is incredibly sad. All of these animals were healthy. Izzy was learning how to trust and learning what it felt like to be loved. She deserved to feel love, after what she had been through. This was taken from her. I feel so sorry for the foster family. A most heart-breaking story.
I am curious as to why a senior vet needed to take the little family to the RSPCA for a check over.
Couldn’t he check them over himself and forward the paperwork to the organisation?
He is just as professional as the ones that work at the RSPCA.
This is fucking disgusting! why should they be aloud to kill 4 healthy pups, that would have gotten homes in an instant! RSPCA should be shut down!!
What a sad and pathetic excuse to say that the mother and the puppies were put down for hip problems. My dog had hip problems from birth and yet they couldn’t evaluate it until after he turned 8 months old. You need to do x-rays in order to determine whether a dog has hip dysplasia or not (in case you didn’t know that, RSPCA – don’t think that we are idiots that don’t know how these things work with the vets). I have had a dog with these problems and all I can say is that you, RSPCA, is full of lies!!! I cannot believe this! My dog went over the Rainbow Bridge 6 weeks ago due to his hip problems at less than 3 years old. So yeah, I have daily experience with these things and I’m telling you straight up, that video shows NO PROOF of what you are saying – my pup showed right from the start that he had the hip issues. That video shows a healthy mother and healthy puppies. How do you sleep at night, RSPCA?! Excuse my English but I’m in Scandinavia but I’m so upset about this that I can’t keep myself from commenting. You are no better than scum.
RSPCA Tasmania is exactly the same. Don’t give money to this appalling organisation. There are lots of rescue groups and no-kill shelters around that will put your money to GOOD and PROPER use.
This is outrageous. I would have taken two. I have adopted 3 older cavies and would do the same again. It is just unfair treatment. Poor little honeys.
Shut the RSPCA down enough is enough another story of a poor dog n her beautiful puppy’s
This is so sad and unnecessary and breaks my heart, for such a legs organisation how can they get away with this????
I cannot believe this! My family is looking for a dog – a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel as it turns out is what we really would like, which is how this article caught my eye. I cannot believe that this could be true! I guess it is personalized even more as my ten yr old son is named Reuben. He was born with a palsy in his left arm when he was born and didn’t look like he would make it, yet all the staff worked so hard to keep him alive and give him the best start possible. These animals should have the same – and they did for the first month. And then….
Wow. In tears now as I am in disbelief and shock. It’s so lovely to see so many like minded people out there grieving and standing up for what could have been for these pups, so that other pups don’t suffer the same. Hope the courts bring to light what really happened and hope that justice truly prevails.
I will never donate to rspca again and will not allow my family or friends to ether shame on you sick scum
You cannot trust anyone these days. I’ve seen some of the people that work for RSPCA… They never seem caring or eager to help all these poor animals.
This is happening more and more often each day!
I would never donate my money to RSPCA.. I always donate to those individual shelters helping to save lives rather than these sorry excuse of humans who finds its easier and convienent just to ‘kill’ the animal.
We have a fantastic no kill centre on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland it is call SCARS- Sunshine Coast Animal Refuge run by volunteers and donations if an animal comes here they are there for life or until they are adopted and that is a max of around 250 that’s who I support.
I agree Animals Australia would be very interested in this.
Totally outrageous. I so feel for cath and her family. Whilst a teenager I had hopes of becoming an rspca aoc but after 2 wks work experience I was so upset that I felt I did not want to be part of this organisation. I witnessed families signing over pets with the hopes of better lives for them but once in the van phonecalls were made and if no space in local shelters they were pts on route or arrival. More animals went into our local shelter in bags than they did alive. One case of a cat and her kittens was very upsetting. The aco was told after they had been signed over and loaded up that they would only take the kittens as they would find homes and that they had to many adult cats. So at the shelter the kittens got handed over and the mother pts wirhout a care. Horrid horrid people with no morals
As a Brit in the UK, I can only add that I haven’t gone near this bunch for a couple of decades now. They are the most useless, money grabbing bunch you will find, and should be disbanded right now. The last thing on their minds is care for animals, I could quote you so many instances of out and out cruelty that have been reported to them, and ignored.
I’m crying….I havent supported the RSPCA since we had issues here in South Australia with no kill shelters (Marook) and the way they treated and bullied the elderly lady who was trying to do her best on limited $$$. Instead of trying to help her….
I dont believe for a second that those puppies had issues. Mum needed TLC and would come good.
The other day our local COLES had collection tins at their check outs….I wasnt happy about it then, but tomorrow I will be ringing them! and go further if I need to. PLEASE check your COLES and if thhe tins are there, do the same.
Utterly disgusting! I used to volunteer for RSPCA in Brisbane and have seen how behavioral assessments are carried out. They are so pathetic and ridiculous. I now volunteer as a carer for a no kill organization in Lismoe NSW and the difference is phenomenal. We have fostered many dogs who have been abused and have behavioral problems but they all eventually found life time homes. Our most recent was a Sharpei x puppy with a severe case of Mange. She was in horrific pain with a swollen infected hairless smelly body but we nurtured her back to life and this week she found her new beautiful home.Wish I could add some pics. RSPCA have lost my support!!!
How disgusting I am so ashamed of the RSPCA! you can clearly see from the pictures of izzy & her pups interacting with the family they could clearly be rehomed! Please explain to the people of Australia and the people who donate their hard earned money to the RSPCA! Who donate to prevent these things happening and save the lives of mistreated, injured and ill animals, what the hell is going on that this could happen to puppies which have been socialized from birth and a rescued dog which had made huge progress. This makes me sick and I’m sure the media would love to hear why this is happening in the RSPCA the oldest and most trusted animal welfare organization on Australia ! Disgraceful!
Clearly everyone is disgusted by what has happened so we need to act by not giving the RSPCA any money. Give it to no kill shelters.
No puppies this age fail a test. There’s no doubt that this was callous murder.