RSPCA (England and Wales) Avis 

I became a volunteer dog fosterer at the West Hatch branch of RSPCA back in March. The training and support I received from start to finish was brilliant. I felt I was being welcomed into a large, professional organisation which hadn't lost the personal touch. Within a few weeks I was ready to meet my first foster - Penny. I went to visit her first and then brought my partner and children a few days later to ensure Penny was comfortable with us all, which she was. The process of taking her home was relaxed, professional and well thought out. We were able to borrow any equipment we needed including bedding, a lead and toys. Food was provided too. There was no pressure to take her on, unless I wanted to, and importantly the staff wanted to see how Penny responded to the rest of the family too. Penny needed various visits to the RSPCA vet to ensure she was healthy and ready to be adopted. Both the vets I met were lovely, unhurried and thorough. I felt informed and supported in giving her any prescribed medicine or treatment plans. When Penny went off her walks I let the team know and they consulted with their animal behaviourist to offer me some advice. This was invaluable and gave me some different gentle approaches to try with her. After a few weeks with us, we started to see a real difference in Penny. She started to relax and gain confidence. I remember the first time she did the zoomies around the garden. It wasn't long before we all fell in love with her and I let Emma at the RSPCA know we'd like to adopt her. She was very positive and said they never minded a foster fail. Four months on, we've officially adopted Penny. The RSPCA staff have all been wonderful and I'm so grateful for the positive experience I had in the short time I was a volunteer fosterer.

I am extremely disappointed with my experience with the RSPCA. After two abandoned kittens were left on my doorstep, I contacted them expecting urgent help for vulnerable animals in obvious need. Instead, I was met with a lack of compassion, poor communication, and no meaningful assistance.

It was incredibly frustrating to be left feeling as though the responsibility had been pushed back onto me rather than the organisation that promotes itself as being there to protect animals. The response I received gave the impression that the welfare of these kittens was not treated with the urgency the situation deserved.

This experience has seriously damaged my confidence in the RSPCA. When people reach out in an emergency involving abandoned animals, they should receive practical support, clear advice, and prompt action—not be left feeling abandoned themselves.

Based on my experience, I cannot recommend the RSPCA. I found the service disappointing, unhelpful, and far below the standard I expected from a charity dedicated to animal welfare.

It’s no wonder the reputation has gone rapidly downhill over the years. Reported a tethered horse left out in the sun, without water, every single day throughout this heatwave. On the shortest lead, on a main road with a tiny area of grass and they won’t even look at it unless it looks like it’s in bad shape. So this horse needs to be collapsed dying before they’ll even consider a drive by. No help whatsoever.

Absolutely terrible i cant get hold of anyone and theres no help ive tried many numbers. They used to do vetcare they dont do that and im trying to get hold of them for an injured cat and they dont care. Whats the point in them. Theyve gone down hill. I haven't been able to speak to one person the automated phone is awful and very depressing.

A neighbour died suddenly this week he had a pet dog a small cross breed, none of the neighbours could take it in, the RSPCA refused to come to its aid the police told me they have this problem on a regular basis, the police could not take the dog and so it was left on its own for the night, the RSPCA advertise every 5 minutes on TV saying how they do such a good service, well not in my experience 😡

Know of dogs in distress be kept in a house in horrendous conditions. No ventilation In this hot weather, we’re having left all weekend Tried to phone the RSPCA in the end, just gave up total waste of time. This is not emergency service, for animals unless you’re making Donation?

I visited the RSPCA clinic in Bolton. The reception staff were lovely, as usual. The waiting area is large and airy. I was seen by a last year university student called Jess who asked lots of questions and was knowledgeable, professional, kind and caring. She clearly loves the path she has chosen and was especially gentle with my 14 and a half year old dog. After she consulted with the vet, I was given the treatment, which costs a fraction of the price you pay at a vets. I highly recommend Bolton RSPCA Clinic.

On the phone for over 30mins being told I'm first in the queue. Final get to speak to someone and low and behold there's nothing they can do. Given me other people numbers that I have to ring. This is the 2 second time I've rang over an injured wild animal and yet they can't send someone out or do anything. Yet still happy to take millions of people money but can't provide a service. It's a joke

on 2 occasions over the years they have failed me . both issues one was a kitten the other a fledgling crow they refused to come out

We rescued a great tit fledgling from a cat, kept him safe overnight and rang West Hatch RSPCA and Wildlife Centre first thing in the morning. They answered immediately abd asked us to bring him in. The Wildlife reception took a few details and told us that the vet would check him and he would go to a fledgling enclosure and be released when independent. We were invited to check on his progress via email which we did. Two weeks later, he is recovering well from emphacema and feeding and flying well, so will hopefully be released soon. What an amazing organisation this is! So grateful this tiny little bird could be saved. Just brilliant!

Got to march for the RSPCA with so many passionate people, and connecting with the community who support this important cause!

I have called for assistance their response it to take this animal to a vet at my cost!!

Absolutely disgraceful!

I cant believe the RSPCA operate by asking the public to pay vet bills for inured animals..

Called RSPCA as fox cub had head trapped between our concrete fence post showing a great deal of distress. Within two hours, not only did a lovely lady attend, but she was able to release the little fella and check him over for injury before setting him free to rejoin his “mum”. She not only aided our little fox cub but dealt with this upsetting situation in a professional manner. We appreciate there are limited resources to deal with all animal “emergencies” such as this, but we hope our monthly donation will go some way to supporting their invaluable work. Thank you RSPCA.

I got in touch about an ill wild animal and they were able to give me advice as how I could obtain help. Unfortunately, due to the present demand (hot weather and animals suffering because of it) they couldn't help themselves but they put me in touch with someone else who is supporting me in providing treatment for the animal.

Save your money. Do not donate to this charity even if you feel like it's morally wrong.

Because the only morally wrong thing IS this charity.

I held my tongue until I could no longer.
2 situations occurred that has led me to believe that this 'charity' is a BUSINESS and NOT a charity at all.

First things first, what do you see FIRST when you access their website ''DONATE HERE'' - but when you want to look for a contact detail it's like looking at a maze.

Situation 1. Found a stray that looked like it needed urgent care, called up regarding this - in short, they couldn't offer help. Hung up.

Situation 2. 2 neglected cats are found in my neighbourhood. No food, no water, no shelter - all year round (hail, snow, wind and extreme heat). During the heat wave I had no choice but to call for advice, no advice was given, no 'next steps' were given , just an agent telling me that their process is 'private and confidential' .. okay, sure.

If there was a definition of 'corruption' then this charity IS the star of it.

Do not donate here, you'll just be lining corporate pockets because agents are useless, corporate is heartless.

Do not make money our of empathy, what a sick thing to do.

Bare minimum, no empathy, ridiculous system.

If you want to help animals and you live in SE, call Tatty Cats. A lovely lady (her number is the FIRST thing you'll see on her website), independent so her time and space is limited but even then, her efforts outshine whatever this RSPCA can do.

Do animals and yourself a favour, DO NOT donate here. STOP feeding the pockets of some disgusting CEO. Do real charity by looking for the right people who can truly help.

My experience with RSPCA Craven has been one of the most upsetting experiences I've ever had.

After adopting a kitten, I became overwhelmed during the first week and asked for her to be returned while I was in a state of panic and distress. Looking back, what I actually needed was support and reassurance. Instead, arrangements were made for her return almost immediately, without anyone first asking whether I wanted advice, time to think, or help to work through what I was experiencing.

Within less than 24 hours I realised I had made a terrible mistake and repeatedly explained that I had acted in panic and desperately regretted my decision. Despite this, my request wasn't addressed in an appropriate manner.

I was also deeply concerned by how information was handled throughout the process. The branch contacted my mother after I had only authorised contact with her on the day that I sent that original email because I was too distressed to speak myself. My Mother was not aware that I had contacted them on the following two days to try and work something out with them, but they decided to let my Mother know this and discuss contents of my email.

I was then sent detailed updates about prospective adopters of the rest of the litter, including information about where they had travelled from and the progress of their adoption enquiries. The foster carer also sent my mother a text message containing further information about prospective adopters, meaning I now know the names of people adopting kittens and where they live, making them identifiable —information I should have been given.

Throughout the process I felt my concerns were dismissed rather than addressed. Even after submitting a formal complaint, I was eventually informed that they would not respond to any further emails.

As a result of my experience, I have now escalated my concerns to senior executives for independent review. I hope this leads to improvements in the management of that branch and how adopters in emotional distress are supported and how personal information is handled in future.

I fully appreciate that animal welfare must always come first, but adopters also deserve compassion, respectful communication and careful handling of personal information. Unfortunately, that was not my experience, and I cannot recommend this branch based on how my case was handled. This branch do not care for animal welfare in the slightest and just want their money and the kittens gone.

Contacted them for a little bit of help as my dog needed emergency vet and I don’t get paid Friday. They were about as much help as a chocolate fire guard so from now on my monthly donation is cancelled as they are more interested in making public appeals than they are in actually helping

Reporting a 9 week old puppy that is left outside, not sure if they have food or water, temperatures have been really hot, the puppy is constantly crying all different times of day as always outside, RSPCA not interested! adverts on the TV that claim they care! what a joke. Advisor saying can't do anything and asking me to monitor the situation. Absolutely disgusting service. That poor animal.

They should be re named The Royal Society of cruelty to animals. Hateful cruel monsters. The only power they ever had & think mini policemen.
After developing MCASa disease that a fur baby means you are very ill years I tried medication, masks, I tried despite unable to tolerate mast cell inhibitors & feel sick I wasn’t ready to let them go but was so sick we started looking for nice homes. Neither let anyone groom them 5hey were lovable horrors Shiz are stubborn lazy & worm into your heart. We asked for rehoming. The day she came I was strong but then the thing I will not call a woman as it dishonours our species. It looked pleased with the 8 year old I had from weeks old saying “oh yes a quick trim & he will go fast (he would bring in hundreds) my beautiful.older boy she looked & said he has blue in his eyes I will get him destroyed. I screamed & grabbed my boy & begged it no, if he can’t have a new home then we will get him shaved right down he can wear a jumper you are not having him! I said a home with an elderly person he hates walks so he can be company he is funny living a good boy always asks in his funny language to go out to the toilet, burying our faces in each others my best friend my sweet boy I felt my throat closing the hives the vile MCAS so needed medication fast. My stupid husband raised to think anyone in a uniform knows best helped it pick him up he growled at it furious taking him from his mum. I screamed my blood pressure to low to stand no he is mine, I do not give permission, I called you to help don’t you dare put my healthy dog down. He had a clear bloods & scans 2 months ago it’s murder. I tried to find where it took him. I rang our vets it asked my husband for their name. Sorry he is not here and we would have said no. It knew that so went somewhere we wouldn’t find. Two days 100 calls and it finally called me to say he knew he was dying and struggled & died alone on a table. Do you want the body back? Something snapped my voice took all the arrogance from her voice, not screaming not crying like something took over I snarled call my boy by his name call him a body again and come here & say it again to my face. It finally reined its extensive neck in and was very quietly spoken . I am sorry I won’t say again I will use his name. What freezer is my sweet boy in, where is he? No answer I will take him to the crematorium I didn’t think you would want him, he may have gone though. Best you pray he hasn’t. The killing vet anonymous we could not find the name of the ask no questions killer. We got a small box left by the frond door in a plastic bag. My children & myself cannot get past it. Never trust them they look at a dog as revenue and if see none kill because anything else an expense. If he was sick and cruel to keep him alive we would have called a vet given him all his naughty treats he had a really good appetite this wasn’t a kindness this was it not knowing how much life in him he had possibly another 4 years after checked when had a bad tummy but nothing wrong his bloods amazing for his age. He couldn’t see so well but dogs don’t rely on 20/29 vision their nose and ears are the inportant senses. They see in black & white outlines they never rely on that sense, do we put anyone over 70 down if can’t see so well? No so money their motive of cherry picking who gets to live.

If you want to donate you can do it instantly online or by phone. If you want to report an animal in distress that's were it falls apart.
I will never report a animal to this set of money grabbers ever again.
You ought to be ashamed of yourselves.