I don't know, I must live in a very cloistered world of sheer oblivion because as far as I'm aware, the RSPCA are/were good people ?

In fact I've even left a percentage of my estate (in my Will) to them ? Have I been misled about their ethics and activities all this time ? I'm a dedicated animal lover, with two dogs of our own. A pure bred Labby and Kelpie, naturally they're loved to bits by my family.

One of the worst jobs I've ever had to do, in all my years in the coppers, was to destroy a German Shepherd (cross) dog, by gun shot. And I made a complete mess of it too ! And his only sin, was to live, nothing more. And I by necessity, had to shoot him. This occurred in the early 70's, and I swore I'd never do it again, whatever happened. I couldn't get the sounds he made out of my head, because I completely 'botched' the job.

Ever since, I've always supported the RSPCA. Am I an idiot ? Apparently so from what I've read in this topic.

'I enjoy a good steak, support the RSPCA , and love animals.
I won't stand by and watch any animal being cruelly treated....'
Oh so we've become the zoo keepers for the world have we. Iagree with this statement but we can't possibly stick our arrogant noses in other peoples culture. How they treat ALL their animals is on their conscience and part of their culture. Their own authorities should deal with it and we should not cut off our fat noses to spite our face, that's just political BS. Say, how a bout we make as much noise over how humans are treated in these 3rd world countries. I get pretty annoyed over people who put animals before people.

o sung, you would not support them if you saw how they operate around here.

They swooped, complete with TV crew on a couple who had taken in a few starving horses. He was feeding them as much as he could afford, & they were improving.

I don't know how much the RSPCA took in donations, from a gullible public, after the big TV "expose", probably heaps.

Our good Samaritan couple were destroyed, & had to leave the district.

Meanwhile another neighbour was filling a couple of 44 gallon drums on a car trailer, with water every couple of days, & parking it hard against his boundary fence. This was to water 4 horses next door, in a totally dry paddock. Numerous calls to the RSPCA brought no response.

It was only when one of the horses got a hoof caught in the fence, fighting over the water he got some action. That was by calling the police, who then got the RSPCA involved.

They finally took the horses, but no big TV promotion. Apparently skinny horses bring bigger donations than thirsty horses.

The true test of the worse of a charity is to see the books and calculate how much is used for charity work as opposed to how much goes to administration, salaries etc.

They are after all your employees if you give them money so you should be able to know how much goes to executive salary and percs as opposed to actual work

The following figures are from American organization but trying to find info on Australian ones are very hard or impossible.

Marsha J. Evans, President and CEO of the American Red Cross... salary for year ending 06/30/03 was $651,957 plus expenses. Out of every dollar they bring in, about $0.39 goes to related charity causes
NOTE THAT WAS 2003 IMAGINE WHAT IT WOULD BE NOW.

Brian Gallagher, President of the United Way receives a $375,000 base salary, plus numerous expense benefits. About $0.51 per dollar of income goes to charity causes.

UNICEF - CEO, receives $1,200,000 per year, (plus use of a Royal Royce for his exclusive use where ever he goes, and an expense account that is rumored to be well over $150,000.) FROM DONATIONS $0.14 per dollars goes to charity work.

World Vision President (Canada) receives $300,000 base salary, (plus supplied - a home valued in the $700,000 - $800,000 dollar value range, completely furnished, completely paid all housing expenses, including taxes, water/sewer, telephone/fax, HD/high speed cable, weekly maid service and pool/yard maintenance, fully paid private schooling for his children, upscale automobile and an $55,000 personal expense account for clothing/food, with a $125,000 business expense account) Only about $0.52 of earned income per dollar is available for charity causes

Hi there HASBEEN & PHILIP S...

Seems I have been living in a world of make believe, apropos the RSPCA ? I do understand there've been many allegations that some charities, passing-on very little of what they've gathered to the 'cause' they purport to support.

There's a particularly high profile group also running under the auspices of a Charity who get a lot of 'air-time' in relation to their activities, as well as their famous CEO speaking often on Radio and TV. As I've always stated, ad nauseam '...knowing something and proving it, are two entirely different things...'

Still, my illusions of the overall efficacy of the RSPCA, have certainly been damaged if not entirely shattered, I must reluctantly admit.

Then, who may I ask, look after the rights and needs of the animals ?

If it's not us we humans, then who ?

Cheers...Sung Wu.

*I don't agree with live exports. There is no reason why meat cannot be processed here and exported.*

Well then Pelican, feel free to go ahead and do it. Nothing prevents city people from doing exactly that. They can't rely on trading ever more expensive houses with each for a living, forever. But I've had to shoot stock and bury them because none of you could be bothered, so I am not going back to that. In times of drought etc, we need to move sheep in a hurry. Australian rules and regulations prevent us from doing that. You guys invent this stuff, not us, here on farms in WA.