Call to RSPCA cruelty line results in marketing calls

Idiophreak

Out of interest, OP, did you raise this issue on the call? If so, what was their response?

I,_Geek

Idiophreak wrote: »

Out of interest, OP, did you raise this issue on the call? If so, what was their response?

After the third request for money I said I was finding the call inappropriate. The operator rather robotically said they would remove my details and still followed with a description of how much funds they needed to raise.

It's good that they offered that straight away, but the manner in which it was done made me think they didn't care that I wasn't happy with the tactics they were using.

I,_Geek

Techhead wrote: »

don't you think you have over- reacted? In particular the bit about your mum.

Surely a straightforward letter asking them to remove your details would suffice?

I've got a tiny pool of people who would ring the landline phone at any time, but on top of that I know each one of them is highly unlikely to ring on a Sunday morning for various reasons. And since I wasn't expecting business/charity calls on a Sunday a call about my mum was the most likely scenario seeing as I'd ruled out the other options.

They did remove my details after I told them I didn't appreciate the call and I sent a separate complaint via e-mail. However, in keeping with the title of this section of the forum, I thought others might want some warning that if they ever have to ring the cruelty line they should try to opt out because if they don't they'll likely get a call soliciting donations.

PILES

NeverEnough wrote: »

OP had no idea when the phone rang that it was the RSPCA. They have said they rarely receive calls on a Sunday at the time the call came in, so was worried it may be a problem regarding their mum, who was running in the GNR.

I agree the RSPCA was completely out of order- both with timing of call on a Sunday morning and underhand methods used. But that is what they are all about , unfortunately, and their staff have very bad attitudes. I also stopped supporting them when I realised just how the donations were misused and wasted and how they euthanase so many perfectly well animals. I took the time to write a letter to their head office which was ignored for months and their highly paid CEO eventually responded to the second letter without even so much as an apology and was extremely arrogant and unpleasant - they will never get a penny from me again and I urge others I know not to give to them.

There are animal charities out there who actually care about the animals they are meant to protect, the RSPCA is certainly not one of them.

Spot on, the RSPCA are only a charity but act like they are a police force. If they call again ask them how much of your donation goes towards destroying animals or prosecuting people?

ThumbRemote

PILES wrote: »

Spot on, the RSPCA are only a charity but act like they are a police force. If they call again ask them how much of your donation goes towards destroying animals or prosecuting people?

The P in RSPCA is for Prevention.

Prosecuting people who mistreat animals is a visible warning to others that they cannot do the same. It's exactly what the RSPCA should be spending money on.

PILES

ThumbRemote wrote: »

The P in RSPCA is for Prevention.

Prosecuting people who mistreat animals is a visible warning to others that they cannot do the same. It's exactly what the RSPCA should be spending money on.

Thats your opinion of course. I do though find it odd that a charity would prefer to spend a significant chunk of its donations on private prosecutions rather than the care of animals. Would people donate so readily if they were aware of the real beast that is the RSPCA?

Idiophreak

PILES wrote: »

Thats your opinion of course. I do though find it odd that a charity would prefer to spend a significant chunk of its donations on private prosecutions rather than the care of animals. Would people donate so readily if they were aware of the real beast that is the RSPCA?

I think people are well aware of what the RSPCA do.

Personally, I don't really "like" animals very much...and wouldn't donate to many animal charities....but, just because I don't like them, doesn't mean I think people have the right to be cruel to animals...so I actually find the RSPCA one of the less offensive animal charities. I'd rather pay to get some sadistic chav locked up, or have some malnourished animals rescued, than to keep a couple more homeless cats alive for a few more years...

PILES

Idiophreak wrote: »

I think people are well aware of what the RSPCA do.

Personally, I don't really "like" animals very much...and wouldn't donate to many animal charities....but, just because I don't like them, doesn't mean I think people have the right to be cruel to animals...so I actually find the RSPCA one of the less offensive animal charities. I'd rather pay to get some sadistic chav locked up, or have some malnourished animals rescued, than to keep a couple more homeless cats alive for a few more years...

Agree with your general sentiments towards animals but is it not the job of the police/CPS to bring prosecutions with regard to animal cruelty? There is some fairly harrowing stuff about the RSPCA available on the web. Pinch of salt and all that but I wouldn't call them "less offensive".

Helen2k8

Misuse of your details is disgraceful.
The RSPCA swagger around in pseudo-police uniforms giving the impression they have extra legal powers. They don't. They have as much right as I do to enter your home and inspect your animals.

In addition, most of the RSPCA branches (the kennels etc) are NOT centrally funded i.e. where do all the donations go??

And the times I've rung to report wildlife in distress they haven't come.

spike7451

PILES wrote: »

Spot on, the RSPCA are only a charity but act like they are a police force. If they call again ask them how much of your donation goes towards destroying animals or prosecuting people?

Hardly any of it,from what I understand,only money raised by the individual shelters goes to their upkeep.The money made from TV donations ect goes 'elsewhere'.

I myself am involved as a volunteer at a local animal charity,a few weeks ago they nearly ran out of dog & cat food & had to put out a plea for donations so they could continue to feed the animals.
The center is fit to burst with animals literally & the thing that annoys me is people surrender their animals & think that's it.They do not appreciate that the center then has to financially support their new charges.I would like to see anyone who surrenders an animal voluntarily contribute a MINIMUM of £25 towards their upkeep.
Rant over....