RSPCA shuts it's doors to strays and unwanted animals

and those animals who can no longer be cared for due to their owner's ill health, death or change of circumstances.

This is a sad, sad day.

There is no explanation on the RSPCA website to this major change of policy.

We are no longer able to take in stray cats, dogs, equines or farm animals. If you find a stray animal please follow the advice below:

• Dogs – contact your local authority.

• Cats – visit our stray cats pages for more information.

• Equines and farm animals – contact the police.

Now I gather the RSPCA like other animal welfare charities receives no government funding which makes this policy change even more bizarre, because all they have done by shutting their doors is push the problems onto other animal charities such as - Cats Protection League, Hillside Animal Sanctuary, Dogs Trust and even the SSPCA - the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The Scottish SPCA is entirely separate from the RSPCA, which operates in England and Wales only. There is no such charity as the 'RSPCA Scotland' or 'Scottish RSPCA'!


As someone who has supported the RSPCA over the years I am astounded, shocked and saddened at this change of policy - we have had both cats and dogs from their branch at Radcliffe on Trent - and was never happy that they only housed animals for 7 days before putting them to sleep, but now to just shut their doors is shameful.

A huge thank you to Hillside Animal Sanctuary for putting this information into the public domain.

Hillside already take in around 75,000 animals each year so the RSPCA shutting it's doors will only increase that figure, if you can make a small donation and help Hillside, please do so here and help them today.

Highland Cattle Rescue Appeal - calling all animal lovers

As many of my readers know there are generally three things in life that keep me posting - politics, obviously, LGBT issues and animal rights.

Today, it is animal rights I want your help with.

One of the many charities I actively support and help is the Hillside Animal Sanctuary which mainly operates from Frettenham near Norwich. They don't put the animals down unless they really have to or it is better for the animals welfare.

So, last year Hillside took on a family of Highland Cattle from an elderly owner who began to struggle to look after them, there are 19 remaining with the owner who has now approached Hillside to see if they will take the whole lot.

The herd includes 6 pregnant cows with calves at foot, Hillside have been working with the owner during this year visiting the animals, leaving food and tending to their needs.

Hillside have the room to take them on and this is obviously something they are keen to do but it really does place a massive additional burden on what is really quite a small charity especially in the winter when their feed costs increase.

You can read more about the family of Highland cattle here.

Which is where I hope you come in. You can help by ordering some Christmas cards direct from Hillside, or purchasing a 2010 diary or just a simple small online donation.

This is the link. To make an online donation scroll right down to the bottom and follow the instructions, if you are asked for a sanctuary number you enter 5090631, please, please do try and help us rehome these 19 beautiful Highland cattle.

The alternative is unthinkable.