RSPC bl***y A

RE: RSPC bl***y A

Anthony Todd — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 13:21:09 GMT

[quote user="GrooveJet"]I made a grave mistake a few years ago of euthenasing one of these old, decrepit, emaciated creatures on presentation. There was hell to pay when the owners came forward a few days later![/quote]

Exactly the same experience, moribund cat under a tree in the hot sun, except the owners came forward after the end of their holiday......

"cat was in perfect health when they left and neighbors were feeding it" .

Of course they were!

RE: RSPC bl***y A

Bob Russell — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 09:17:07 GMT

There used to be a degree of cooperation between the BVA and the RSPCA. Responsibilities were divided up in a reasonably common sense manner. Practices did the work and got paid.

Veterinary incomes have become far more stretches and competition massively increased so practices have fewer resources. Clever corporates have a collection box to get the general public to fund work that previously would have been done FOC. The RSPCA has decided there are not enough millions in reserve to cover the costs previously agreed too (without placing barriers).

RE: RSPC bl***y A

Miriam Lodewyks — Sun, 09 Apr 2017 21:44:28 GMT

The cat would have stayed with us for 7 days, then either I would operate (enucleate + thyroidectomy) with a view to rehoming (probably with me...)

or euthenase.

I made a grave mistake a few years ago of euthenasing one of these old, decrepit, emaciated creatures on presentation. There was hell to pay when the owners came forward a few days later!

As it turned out, we managed to locate this girl's owner via social media...

The point I was trying to make is why it is the Veterinary Profession's responsibility to deal with injured strays, as opposed to the POOR RSPCA...

Do we expect other professions to mop up society's irresponsibilities?

How many psychiatrists take their patients home for a few days intensive therapy?

RE: RSPC bl***y A

Gillian Mostyn — Fri, 07 Apr 2017 13:13:41 GMT

I'm generally no fan of the RSPCA but....

[quote user="GrooveJet"]member of the public drops a cat off that he's found in his garden, on sunday afternoon, because she looks very lean and has a sore eye. No microchip.[/quote]

How do you actually KNOW that the cat doesn't belong to them/their neighbour/relative/friend?

How many times do we hear 'it's a stray...I've been feeding it for 5 years and it sleeps in my house.'

IMO the RSPCA is not fit for purpose...But I can understand that they can't open their wallet every time someone shouts 'stray' from a vet practice. It would be too open to abuse.

RE: RSPC bl***y A

cathal rafferty — Fri, 07 Apr 2017 00:35:51 GMT

Can I ask the OP what was going to be the plan for this cat?

a hyperthyroid cat who by the sounds of it was going to be bilaterally blind. Was there ever a realistic prospect of rehoming it when rescue centres are bursting with kittens, especially at this time of year?

Who would pay for the cat's treatment going forward, even if the rspca had given sixty quid?

the customer service sounds poor but with no owner and a very painful eye, was there not grounds for euthanasia straight away?

RE: RSPC bl***y A

Gareth C. — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 20:04:54 GMT

Have a look at this month's crossword column in Vet Practice magazine.

RE: RSPC bl***y A

Bob Russell — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 15:48:53 GMT

Different units do a lot!

Re-homing shelters re-home! Inspectors inspect! Charity clinics used to offer subsidised treatment for a slightly wider range of clients than PDSA.

The RSPCA clinics have all been closed around here and replaced by a 'budget' chain corporate. No idea if that includes an ongoing requirement for existing clients but as I understand it, all the previous staff were 'let go' not sure how that is going to work!

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/15100936.Charity_vet_clinic_to_close_its_doors_and_as_budget_service_set_to_move_in/?ref=mrb&lp=8

RE: RSPC bl***y A

Miriam Lodewyks — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 15:36:07 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]

To be quite honest we have given up with them because they are only a charity and I have to select which colour yacht I will take out for a spin this time!

As the local branches and rehoming shelters are run independently, central RSPCA appear more interested in finding mechanisms to prevent paying practices and prosecutions have a bit of a dodgy track record, I am not sure what purpose the central organisation really has beyond maintaining a brand.

I suspect the individual parts of the organisation would be better off run independently or in small groups without the mega priced headquarters.

[/quote]

This is exactly the impression I got from "Mark": they are but a "POOR" charity whereas we are of course "rolling in it" and it should be our privilege to mop up all the waifs and strays.

I too am left wondering what exactly the RSPCA does these days???

RE: RSPC bl***y A

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 11:16:09 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]I consider checking for chips and the odd cat body disposal as a public service.[/quote]I don't mind so much now we use PCS as they only charge £3.30 to dispose of a cat but when CPC were charging a tenner and there were 2-3 'stray' cats in some weeks it got a bit irritating.

RE: RSPC bl***y A

Bob Russell — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 10:48:09 GMT

I consider checking for chips and the odd cat body disposal as a public service. We have a good council and they will usually check bodies found by the road for microchips so owners can be informed. Perhaps we are particularly fortunate that New Forest District Council take their duties quite seriously and we have good dog wardens.

As long as they are willing to go that extra mile so am I!

RE: RSPC bl***y A

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 10:34:31 GMT

[quote user="Anthony Dennison"]I can see why they do it to stop all the money being pissed away. [/quote]They've got a fortune sitting in bank accounts (allegedly) being used to refurbish inspector's houses and pursue pointless prosecutions!

The local council are as bad. If someone reports a dead cat they will come out and pick it up from the side of the road but if the MOP bring it in to us they won't even though it is probably more convenient for them so as ever we get carrying the can if we can't find the owner and then half the time we are anyway. I've been known to go and dump them back by the road!

RE: RSPC bl***y A

Anthony Dennison — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 10:22:25 GMT

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]

[quote user="robloxley"]No, but they won't budge on it. Unfortunately when the MOP turns up in our waiting room it's too late to keep the RSPCA happy.[/quote]

We lend them a phone in the waiting room. If animal in extremis we will look at it while they ring.

[/quote]

Nope. We had a guy turn up with a cat and some recently born kittens, got him to ring them whilst in the waiting room. As soon as they found out he was at the vets, they refused. The protocol is for them to instruct the owner to take the cat to the vet.

It is bloody ridiculous, but I can see why they do it to stop all the money being pissed away.

RE: RSPC bl***y A

Bob Russell — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 10:03:22 GMT

Claiming is even more complicated than ever.

Must have a log number before coming through the door. We must phone their Vetline even if it is an RSPCA officer bringing the animal in. vet will be questioned and if authorised there will be a purchase order number given which should be included on an invoice.

Does not cover stray dogs (Local Authority). Further funding only via local branch or another animal welfare charity.

To be quite honest we have given up with them because they are only a charity and I have to select which colour yacht I will take out for a spin this time!

I suspect the individual parts of the organisation would be better off run independently or in small groups without the mega priced headquarters.

RE: RSPC bl***y A

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 09:03:59 GMT

I'm surprised anyone is surprised. As Wren says. 'twas ever thus', they have been f*****g useless forever. And even if the MOP does call for a log number before dropping the casualty off they'll only give you £50 which barely covers the initial examination so I don't usually bother. Yet if someone brings in a fledgling and has phoned the RSPCA they will often be given a log number for us to claim even though the agreement with the BVA is that we will treat wildlife causalities for free and their own advice is to leave them alone so the mother can come back. It seems they don't even know their own rules sometimes. We refuse to have a collection box for them in the waiting room.

RE: RSPC bl***y A

Wren — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 08:42:28 GMT

[quote user="GrooveJet"]Thought I'd leave it until Monday to get a log-number from the RSPCA, but you know how it goes... so I finally got around to doing this today. Only to be told that if the animal does not have a log number BEFORE it is handed in to the practice they will NOT assist in any way.[/quote]

But surely twas ever thus? I've been out of mixed practice for 4 years, and back when I was still doing it the boss drummed the importance of 'no pre-authorised log number, no cash' into us. I am absolutely no fan of the RSPCA, quite the opposite, but this has been in place for a considerable length of time and was widely publicised when they brought it in.

'Mark' probably deserves shooting however....

RE: RSPC bl***y A

Michael Woodhouse — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 21:31:41 GMT

[quote user="robloxley"]No, but they won't budge on it. Unfortunately when the MOP turns up in our waiting room it's too late to keep the RSPCA happy.[/quote]

We lend them a phone in the waiting room. If animal in extremis we will look at it while they ring.

RE: RSPC bl***y A

Anthony Todd — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 20:14:01 GMT

Sounds like a classic for the Daily Mail. Make sure you provide emotive pictures and contact as many officials from the RS for comments, and quote them in full.

Should make a page or two and get some real action.

Yours is redolent of my experience of the RSPCA back in the day

RE: RSPC bl***y A

Rob Loxley — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 19:36:37 GMT

[quote user="GrooveJet"]Am I being unreasonable? [/quote]

No, but they won't budge on it. Unfortunately when the MOP turns up in our waiting room it's too late to keep the RSPCA happy.

RE: RSPC bl***y A

Clive Ansell — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 17:20:57 GMT

Yes, I got caught out by this last week. Stray cat RTA, and in the rush of a busy morning clinic getting a log number was overlooked, so same conversation and no help forthcoming. No identification, palpable fractured pelvis and loss of bladder use, so at day 3 with weekend fast approaching and no on site care, it was PTS.

[quote user="GrooveJet"]why should the RSPCA fund every single injured animal in the United Kingdom? They are only a charity, after all.[/quote]

In a way that is fair enough: I guess they have to limit/target/restrict a finite amount of resources, money not growing on trees etc. The rule about when to obtain a log number seems particularly stupid though.