Don't be bullied - it's YOUR pet. (RSPCA in general)

Member Name: dawnfrancis

Product:	RSPCA in general
Date:	24/07/01 (137 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: free care for those on benefit/disabled etc

Disadvantages: bombastic approach to owners, disgraceful treatment of owners, patronizing and bullying

At the beginning of 2000 I had a very distressing experience with the RSPCA that upsets me still to talk about, but I feel it's important for people to know what can happen.

For the past 8 years we have been a family of rat-keepers and are devoted to our pets. Nothing is too much trouble for us where they are concerned, and we take their welfare and happiness very, very seriously. Anyone who's kept rats will know what I'm talking about. anyone who hasn't should be aware they're as intelligent and affectionate as dogs. There is no way we would stand by and watch them suffer.

In January 2000 Mole, a baby 4-month old rat belonging to my mom and sister, suddenly became paralyzed from the waist down. Horrified, they rushed him to Birmingham RSPCA (my mum qualifies for treatment there because she has had to give up work due to disability). They admitted him to the animal hospital overnight for observation, telling us we could pick him up in the morning. They were very kind and said we could phone up that evening to see how he was, which we did, and the nurse said he'd been eating well and was comfortable.

The next day I offered to give mom a lift to the animal hospital. She said ok, and decided to ring to find out the opening hours. As I waited for her I could hear her becoming increasingly agitated on the phone. She was on there for ages. My heart somersaulted, I thought Mole had died. when she got off the phone she was absolutely _hysterical_.

The RSPCA had said Mole had been assessed by a vet who had said he was permanently paralyzed. Because of this, it was 'cruel to keep him alive' and he was going to be put to sleep. The hospital refused outright to return him to us, but said we could pick his body up if we wanted!!!! Mom pleaded to see him before he died, and they relented and said she could 'if she got there before 12 o'clock'.

I can't ever remember being so
furious in my life. I am a very unassertive person normally but I just about hit the roof and didn't come back down. I immediately phoned my (private) vet and got him on my side. Then I broke the speed limit belting to the hospital quite ready to cause a showdown. The minute I got mole in my arms they KNEW I would not let him go. I would have moved heaven and hell to get him out of that place.

Don't get me wrong, I have had animals put to sleep before. But NOT when ordered to by someone else - and when we knew that our pet, despite being disabled, actually still had a very good quality of life. That is a violation of the civil liberties of the owner. At the very least we should be entitled to a second opinion.

To inform an owner over the phone that their animal will be put down against their wishes within a specified time is to me absolutely inhumane. What if I had not been there? My mom can't drive and the hospital is many miles away.

Sadly, Mole did not recover. He died of a stroke about 2 weeks later. But those 2 weeks were VERY happy ones in which we gave him plenty of treats and daily 'physiotherapy', and he was happy and not in pain and recognized us all. We were certainly not being cruel by keeping him alive. Given the chance I would do exactly the same again.

My mom was taken into hospital with a serious illness shortly after this incident. I'm not blaming the RSPCA for this, but they certainly didn't help. We put in a complaint but nothing came of it.

Please note that my main point isn't that I disagree with animal euthanasia. Rather I am disgusted at the way our pet was virtually taken prisoner and unless we had got there in time, would have been killed before we could say goodbye. What if this had been an elderly person with little confidence and no way to get to the hospital in time?

In all my years of animal keeping I have NEVER, EVER been forced by
a private vet to have an animal put to sleep. They have always given a professional opinion, but left the ultimate choice to me, even when the animal concerned was gravely ill. PLEASE be aware of my story if you have to take your pet to the RSPCA in an emergency. If a similar situation occurs, insist on a second opinion. Cause as big a scene as you can. Accompany elderly friends or relatives who have to take their pets there if you possibly can.

Just because the care you get is free doesn't mean they can take your rights - and the life of your pet, away from you.

In memory of Mole.

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