RSPCA facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Logo as of April 2024
Formation	16 June 1824
Founders	Richard Martin William Wilberforce The Reverend Arthur Broome
Type	Nonprofit
Focus	Animals
Headquarters	Horsham, West Sussex, England
Area served	England and Wales
Key people	Shan Nicholas (Interim CEO, January 2025 – present)
Revenue	£151.7m (2021)
Employees	1,305 (2021)

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is a famous charity in England and Wales that works to protect animals. It is the oldest and largest animal welfare group in the world. The RSPCA runs on money that people choose to donate.

Founded in 1824, the RSPCA has inspired many other countries to create their own animal protection groups. Similar societies now exist in Scotland, Ireland, the United States, Australia, and many other nations. The RSPCA also works to help animals in other parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia.

How the RSPCA Began

A painting of the trial of Bill Burns. It shows Richard Martin bringing a donkey into the courtroom. This led to the first-ever conviction for animal cruelty after a man was found beating his donkey.

A Time of Change

In the late 1700s and early 1800s, people in Britain started to think more about how animals were treated. Many animals faced harsh conditions. They were used for pulling heavy carts, in science experiments, and in cruel sports like bull-baiting and cock fighting.

People like Lord Erskine and Richard Martin tried to pass laws in Parliament to stop this cruelty. In 1822, Richard Martin successfully passed a law to protect cattle from mistreatment. This law was a big step forward for animal welfare.

The First Animal Charity

A man named Reverend Arthur Broome wanted to do more. He brought together a group of reformers, including Richard Martin and William Wilberforce, to create a society dedicated to protecting animals.

On June 16, 1824, they met in a London coffee shop and officially formed the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). It was the very first animal welfare charity in the world.

In 1835, Princess Victoria (who would later become Queen) became a supporter of the society. In 1840, she gave it "Royal" status, and its name changed to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which is still its name today.

The Work of the RSPCA

RSPCA Inspectors

From the very beginning, the society wanted to make sure the new laws were being followed. Reverend Broome hired the first inspector in 1824 to check for animal abuse at a London market.

After some early money troubles, the society made the role of the inspector permanent in 1838. Today, RSPCA inspectors are a well-known symbol of the charity. They investigate reports of cruelty and help animals in need.

Changing People's Minds

The RSPCA knew that laws alone were not enough. They also worked to teach the public about being kind to animals. They published books and held special church services called "Animal Sundays" to spread their message.

In 1837, the RSPCA held an essay contest. They offered a prize for the best essay about why people have a duty to protect animals. This helped get more people thinking and talking about animal welfare.

Women and Young People

Women were involved with the RSPCA from its early days, helping to raise money and support its work. In 1870, the RSPCA Ladies' Committee was formed. This group started activities for children, including a club called the Band of Mercy. It encouraged kids to be kind to animals.

The RSPCA's logo used from 2002 until 2024.

Fighting for Better Laws

The RSPCA has always worked with the government to create new laws to protect animals.

• The Cruelty to Animals Act 1835 made cruel sports like baiting illegal.
• The Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 put controls on experiments using animals.
• The Protection of Animals Act 1911 was another major step forward.
• More recently, the Animal Welfare Act 2006 gave animals even more protection.

Helping Animals in Wartime

During the First and Second World Wars, the RSPCA helped care for the many animals used by the army, like horses, mules, and dogs. In World War II, the charity rescued over 250,000 animals from bombed areas.

What the RSPCA Does Today

The RSPCA's main goal is to prevent cruelty, promote kindness, and reduce the suffering of all animals.

Rescuing and Rehoming

RSPCA inspectors and Animal Rescue Officers respond to emergency calls from the public about animals that might be suffering. They rescue animals from bad situations, give them medical care, and help them recover.

Whenever possible, these rescued animals are rehomed with new, loving families. The RSPCA has many animal centres and hospitals across England and Wales to care for these animals.

Animal Hospitals and Centres

The RSPCA runs animal hospitals that provide treatment for sick and injured animals, especially for owners who cannot afford private vet fees. They also have wildlife centres that care for wild animals like birds and foxes, helping them get well enough to return to the wild.

There are also many local RSPCA animal centres and branches run by volunteers. These centres rehome thousands of animals every year and offer services like microchipping and neutering to the local community.

*closed as of September 2020

How the RSPCA is Organised

An RSPCA charity shop in Bramley, Leeds. These shops help raise money for the charity's work.

The RSPCA is a large organisation with a national office, regional teams, and local branches.

• National Organisation: This part of the charity handles the main operations, including a national call centre that takes emergency calls from the public.
• Regions: England and Wales are split into three regions. Each region has a manager who is in charge of all the inspectors and rescue officers in that area.
• Branches: Local RSPCA branches are separate, smaller charities run by volunteers. They raise their own money to help animals in their community and find homes for many rescued pets.

RSPCA Officers

The RSPCA inspectorate has a rank structure, a bit like the police force. This helps to organise their teams across the country. All officers wear a uniform with the RSPCA logo so people can recognise them.

RSPCA Inspectorate rank insignia

Rank	Chief Officer	Chief Superintendent	Superintendent	Chief Inspector	Inspector	Trainee Inspector	Animal Collection Officer	Animal Welfare Officer
Insignia

Does the RSPCA have Police Powers?

This is a common question. The RSPCA is a charity, not a government body like the police. This means its inspectors do not have the same powers as police officers.

RSPCA inspectors cannot arrest people or enter a person's home without their permission. If they need to enter a property without permission to help an animal, they must be accompanied by the police.

However, the RSPCA can and does bring people to court if they believe an animal has been treated cruelly. They gather evidence and work with lawyers to prosecute offenders under animal welfare laws.

See also

In Spanish: Real Sociedad para la Prevención de la Crueldad contra los Animales para niños

• Humane society
• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
• Eurogroup for Animals represents organisations such as the RSPCA at the European Union level
• Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (links to other SPCA organizations worldwide)
• Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Hong Kong) — formerly Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Hong Kong) from 1903 to 1997
• Animal welfare in the United Kingdom