Something has to change.......

Re: Something has to change.......

JaneRVN — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 13:45:16 GMT

You might want to approach Dogs Trust as they have a bull breed education campaign and work with youth offenders, youth groups abd schools from age 7+.

Their website has excellentteaching aids.

Blue Cross want volunteers for education so there could be a VN based section?

Re: Something has to change.......

Leigh Hinsley RVN NCert(BDev) MBVNA — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 11:03:03 GMT

The super 7! Will be sending out email introductions later - anyone else want to throw their hat in the ring, its not too late to play a part!

Leigh x

Re: Something has to change.......

emmadilemma — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 07:17:39 GMT

Yup i`m in too will Pm you my email address later

Re: Something has to change.......

Vicky Cloherty — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 04:04:53 GMT

I would be interested in helping with this - people bring us strays at least once a week and there is just no where for them to go. It's just too sad. I just started a VN CPd Facebook page that a few people have liked so I would happily spread the word, keep me updated.

Re: Something has to change.......

shakira miles — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 22:05:30 GMT

Hiya and of course ME TOO!!!! I work at a charity at the moment and I am so keen to do anything extra possible. I also locus so also see private practice.

I think many more people will want to join once its out there!

Thanks guys, really excited about this.

Re: Something has to change.......

Leigh Hinsley RVN NCert(BDev) MBVNA — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 21:54:51 GMT

Lovely ladies! Will you PM your email addresses and we shall begin, whatever is we think we're going to do? Lol. X

Re: Something has to change.......

Redhen — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 21:22:48 GMT

Am interested :) am a student atm

Re: Something has to change.......

Stacey Stanier — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 20:26:14 GMT

The total is now 3 because i am definitely in too! This is a subject very close to my heart xx

Re: Something has to change.......

Leigh Hinsley RVN NCert(BDev) MBVNA — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 19:10:29 GMT

Brilliant! Thank you Vicki! So, that brings our team up to 2! Any one else?

Leigh x

Re: Something has to change.......

vickicannings — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 16:52:19 GMT

Yep I'm definitely in. Let me know of your plans and am there to help all the way :)

Re: Something has to change.......

Leigh Hinsley RVN NCert(BDev) MBVNA — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 14:09:55 GMT

Well, I'm going to be bold and put it out there, if I start approaching organisations with our concerns and establish some kind of nurse led campaign, are there any nurses amongst us willing to be part of a sort of campaign focus group to play a role in helping it build? I dunno what this role would be cus I'm not entirely sure what to do or how to go about all this but we are stronger together if that makes sense!

Any volunteers ? :)

Re: Something has to change.......

vickicannings — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:47:48 GMT

I think you're right that it would put a strain on RSPCA to set up licensing but then I guess it is swings and roundabouts type situation as it will then save them time and money on unwanted (or more approprietly unsold) litters in the ling run.

I also regularly see some terrible results from breeding, awful skin, hips etc that would again be dramatically reduced if licensing came in. The general public really don't stop and think before breeding (other than the money it will make them) and the resulting health and behaviour problems are a massive contributing factor in people eventually rehoming their pets.

More education would definitely make some difference. When I worked at Cats Protection before RSPCA I used to go and do talks to people of all ages from primary school to elderly and people were amazed when you told them how many litters a cat could have and how young they start breeding from. They were also genuinely shocked at how many animals we would have come through the doors each week and I think if more people knew these facts then you would hope it would make at least one or two think twice before popping out some litters to sell.

Only last month did a visitor to the centre say to me 'I heard that there is a shortage of kittens in the country at the moment.' What?!! Where do people get this information from? At the time we have 21 kittens in the centre so I informed her quite quickly of the actual facts!

Interesting thought about BVNA, worth contacting?

Re: Something has to change.......

Leigh Hinsley RVN NCert(BDev) MBVNA — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:33:14 GMT

Well I'd like to applaud all the nurses working on the frontline at the rspca and other charities because I have never worked at such a place so can only imagine how heart breaking it can be in these times. I love the idea of free neutering but knowing the company I work for and their already low rates which actually lose the company money, I doubt they'll jump at it without funding. It's a shame their isn't a government scheme that could fund it. But in all honesty I think there would still be those members of the public that won't take up free neutering because they know they can make a quick buck out of puppies so I think a 2nd approach such as some kind of licensing on breeding would also be required. But then that would put even more stress on the RSPCA to govern that law.

argh! What to do! Do you think the BVNA would get involved to help set up some kind of education campaign?

Re: Something has to change.......

vickicannings — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:31:24 GMT

Completely agree with you Shakira that a petition about controlling the sales of animals would be a great start. Places like Gumtree are awful and we have a huge amount of animals come into us after people buy them on Gumtree then decide it was either a mistake or the animal was not 'as advertised.' There is no need for pet shops to be selling dogs and cats anymore, they are massively adding to the problem and I really think tighter controls would also prevent people purchasing the animal if they can't afford the care. If some people had to go through a bit more of a stringent system, i.e licensed breeders/shelters then it may make them think twice before getting a pet as opposed to buying one from the internet on a whim.

Re: Something has to change.......

shakira miles — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 16:36:29 GMT

Hiya, Yay another VN that is on a fantastic war path to do the right thing!

I am a huge staffie fan and I work with these at the Charity where i work, and again see and hear the same things.

It is down to the law and the problems that we have in a social aspect in the UK.

any one can breed, any one can buy and websites like Gumtree are the huge link and many dogs/cats I see for 2nd vax are from there as I always ask this vital question. Maybe a petition to ban the use of the internet to buy animals especially dogs and cats would be a good start, also pet shops too, I mean what is harrods doing!?

Many dogs we dont see until there is a problem (behaviour/ needs a cesarian/fights etc) many are not neutered even though free neutering for bull breeds is avaliable in London, and many are kept in flats and are never walked or socialised, adding to the problem. I think that with staffies it is now more recognised that many healthy ones are put to sleep which is something we all say to encouarge neutering.

Comulsory microchippig will help but again, if this came in to play the RSPCA or other charitys would be over run with abandoment in chipped animals leading no where and no prosecutions.

its more youth centres and target areas of generally lower quality living where these dogs and owners are situated that need to be rewarded for doing the right and responsible thing. bark patrol in Brent is a project leading this and great education.

However when its so hard to get a job, easy to get a flat and live off the social they have no sense of responsibility or know any worth, as life seems so worthless in these areas. (many under 25's are the age in which crime and wepon/assult takes place) then there is no way of us being able to break that habit, with the proper care of an animal, as again to them they are worthless and not enough penelties and proesecutions take place to even make them aware of the five freedoms and the importance of the care they provide.

Yes there are also many cases of people that are adult and in a good lifestyle situation that still add to this problem, of buying on impulse. But again its so easy to get rid of animals.

Death row of animals is out of contril and all down to the lack of education and control of owned animals, I truely have no Idea what to do about this and neutering seems the only way to help reduce the population of unwanted animals.

I think more private clinics need to get involved and more media needs to be pushed with this problem of unwanted animals and more clinics can afford and should step up and provide free neutering, even for a month would make a big difference to each local area, so many people are willing to spend money to help animals but they are wary of it going to the right place, and being spent in the right way.

Its so tough and knowing how many healthy animals are put to sleep/ spend many months in kennels or end up having litters afet litters with us being able to do nothing is heart breaking.

as frustrating as it is, concentrating on individuals is just as important as facing this on a large scale. its the individual animals that wecab help, just dont give up!

keep me posted.

Shakira xx

Re: Something has to change.......

Jacqueline Gallacher — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 10:34:01 GMT

well said, I think it would be a good idea to stop buying the mail on sunday

Re: Something has to change.......

Jacqueline Gallacher — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 00:14:02 GMT

I agree with you sal, I too worked for a large charity and was horrified at the wages paid to the top "dogs", and how much money was spent on admin etc, and wastefully so, while at the front line we struggled with no drugs and lack of funds to buy vital supplies

Re: Something has to change.......

Fluffywhiskers — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 23:32:10 GMT

Updated RSPCA statement in response to Mail On Sunday inaccurate & biased
report

Animal cruelty, neglect and suffering are at unprecedented levels in
modern times.

We rehome thousands of animals, but the number of people rehoming
animals do not keep up with the numbers of irresponsible owners.

It is simply not true that the RSPCA 'routinely' puts down healthy
animals. We do need to put animals to sleep when it is in their
interests. Nobody who works for the RSPCA wants to have to put
rehomeable animals to sleep, but it is a sad reality of the work that
we do.

Although the trend is in decline, the RSPCA sometimes has to put some
rehomeable animals to sleep simply because they cannot be found good
homes. While there continues to be too many animals being bred, and we
continue to take in more animals than there are willing rehomers, we
will continue to have this dilemma.

This is not unique to the RSPCA, and many animal charities are forced
to make hard decisions like this.

All euthanasia decisions are made by a veterinary surgeon in the best
interests of the individual animal. The vet does - and should - take
into account how much that animal's previous mistreatment means it is
suffering, how much we can help prevent that suffering in other ways
and whether there will be people willing to give it a home - and there
are sadly a limited number of people who rehome a pet from us, despite
there being thousands looking for homes.

In October of this year Gavin Grant, CEO of the RSPCA issued a stark
warning that animal rescue charities are being overwhelmed with
animals in dire need, stretching them to breaking point - all at a
time when giving to all charities is under real pressure.

The simple fact the RSPCA, like many other animal charities, is
stretched to breaking point. That is why we have called for emergency
help from the nation's animal lovers.

RSPCA chief executive Gavin Grant said: "The recession may be over but
these are very dark times for its silent victims - the animals. They
have never needed our help so desperately. Indeed we have taken
measures to reduce bureaucracy whilst maintaining and seeking to boost
levels of expenditure on our inspectors and front line animal welfare
work"

"Preventing cruelty and helping the animals most in need are the
RSPCA's absolute priorities but the number of abused and abandoned
animals is soaring.

At the same time, we have more animal abusers to investigate,
prosecute and hopefully prevent from hurting animals than anyone can
remember.

We also have this about the two ex members of staff who have gone to the
Mail:

Please be aware of the fact that Dawn Aubrey-Ward is a disgruntled
former employee of the RSPCA who was subject to a disciplinary
investigation for alleged theft of animals. She left the organisation
with matters still pending.

There were also police concerns drawn to the RSPCA's attention of
irregularities relating to her possession of firearms and some welfare
concerns regarding animals under her care during her working time for
us

Also please be aware that as a member of the Countryside Alliance,
Angela Egan-Ravenscroft is part of an organisation that seeks the
return of bloodsports and is unlikely to have a positive opinion of
the RSPCA

Klare Kennett
RSPCA acting head of press

Re: Something has to change.......

vickicannings — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 16:32:29 GMT

I currently nurse at an RSPCA centre and I will happily admit I'm not the biggest fan of some aspects the charity either. I totally agree there should be more money going into the centres and clinics and that things like farm animal export/imports, hunt control etc should be a sister organisation. It is really ncie to see that so many of you understand that we at the centres are doing all we can with the resources we have. Newspaper reports like this give the impression that everyone working for the RSPCA should be tarred with the same brush.

We have had death tgreats and all sorts since the report came out. Little do people know what actually goes on in a clinic/centre. We all work for the same goal and that is helping animals and saving everything we can. At my centre nothing healthy is ever put to sleep, we save everything we can that has quality of life. The staff shed endless tears and always wish they could do more.

The problem as everyone has identified really is the irresponsible breeders and public that think their dog/cat 'should have 1 litter, it's only fair.' The situation is dire at the moment. On Friday we had 18 cats and 4 dogs come into the centre. We are homing well but there is always a limit and having to turn them away is awful. I totally agree there is a need for public education of ALL ages and I think most importantly children so we can change the way future generations treat their pets.

I looked into setting up an education charity last year but it is quite daunting alone!

Re: Something has to change.......

julie cozze — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 13:12:14 GMT

While there are still puppy farms and puppies selling pet shops the amount of dogs coming onto the market is not going to reduce. We need more people to get rescue dogs from shelters rather than new puppies. Also while some vets are still licensing these gross puppy farms these things are not going to change. Take a look at cariad campaign if you want to help these poor animals. But we as vet nurses can hopefully try to put off the owners who ' just want to have one litter' with better education. It's not something that's going to happen quickly but we can all play our part .

Re: Something has to change.......

Leigh Hinsley RVN NCert(BDev) MBVNA — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 09:56:26 GMT

I found this petition on the Governments website, I know its not the complete solution, but its a start:

https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/30636

Could everyone who feels strongly about this issue also sign it.

Thank you

Re: Something has to change.......

Elerrina — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 21:28:30 GMT

Whilst it is off topic I completely agree with Louise

Re: Something has to change.......

wendy scott — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 20:53:12 GMT

Louise, i wish there was a like button on comments because your comment was awesome!!!!! :D

Re: Something has to change.......

Louise B — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 20:13:08 GMT

[quote user="duncat"]

I think your words hunt scum are a little harsh not everyone one here is anti hunting.

[/quote]

Why? Emotive may be? But, if you accept that seeking to dismember an animal alive for the purpose of fun, entertainment, etc is the goal of fox hunters, then the definition surely fits:

scum (skm)

1. A filmy layer of extraneous or impure matter that forms on or rises to the surface of a liquid or body of water.

2. The refuse or dross of molten metals.

3. Refuse or worthless matter.

4. Slang One, such as a person or an element of society, that is regarded as despicable or worthless.

If a cat was brought in having deliberately being torn apart by dogs owned by a gang of hoodies in the name of fun would you still shy away from the word "scum"?

Re: Something has to change.......

Leigh Hinsley RVN NCert(BDev) MBVNA — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 20:08:11 GMT

I think we're going off track slightly, my point wasn't about the hunt or indeed the RSPCA but about the needless destruction of unwanted pets due to careless breeding and what we nurses as a collective can stand up and do about it. I wonder if I could approach the BVNA and/or the Vet Nurse Times to voice pur opinion amongst the veterinary community?

anyone else have any other ideas?