Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 11th July 2013
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Silliest calls taken by RSPCA
Charity's workload pressured by time-wasters

Cats behaving stubbornly, dogs that need training and birds sat where you don't want them. These are all problems – but not something the RSPCA can help with.

Following a surge in calls to its helpline this summer, the RSPCA feels it needs to clear up what is an urgent matter, and what has simply nothing to do with the charity.

As such, it has released a list of its most silly calls that have been keeping both its staff and phone lines unnecessarily busy:
  • Someone who had just "seen" bigfoot
  • Someone who wanted to know where to buy a bird noise CD from
  • Someone who's car had broken down (RSPCA advised they should call the RAC)
  • Someone who's husband wouldn't walk their dog
  • Someone who's cat was ignoring calls to come into the house
  • Someone who wanted their dog to be taught the green cross code
  • Someone who said a bird was sat on a telegraph line
  • Someone who was watching a 1972 film where an animal was attacked

RSPCA chief inspector Dermot Murphy said: "Summer has always seen surges in demand but, like many charities, we are facing a big rise in calls at a time when our resources are under most strain."

He added: "As much as we would like to help, we simply haven't got the staff to personally investigate each and every issue that the public brings to us, so we must prioritise to make sure we get to the animals most in need."

RSPCA says it has seen a 65 per cent rise in the number of calls to its 24-hour cruelty helpline since last January.

In order to reduce strain for the England and Wales frontline staff, the charity is asking callers to also use the "My RSPCA" section of the RSPCA website to report cases of cruelty, as well as using the website to find general information and advice.

It also advises people contact their local authority for stray dogs and call 999 for animals trapped in hot cars. Furthermore, if safe and practical, injured wildlife should be taken to a vet for free of charge treatment.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Lords Committee opens Pet Parasite Medication inquiry

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee will launch its inquiry into Pet Parasite Medication (PPM) on Wednesday (3 June).

Focusing on treatments containing fipronil and imidacloprid, the inquiry will seek to understand distribution pathways and the impacts of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and their owners.

The committee will hear evidence from environmental non-governmental organisations and research institutes. The public can follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV or in person in the Palace of Westminster.