The royal society for the prevention of cruelty to animals егэ

Спрятать пояснение

Задание № 14171

[topic]

[topic]

Нашли ошибку в задании? Выделите фрагмент и нажмите Ctrl + Enter.

Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Founded	1824; 199 years ago
Founders	Richard Martin William Wilberforce Reverend Arthur Broome
Focus	Animals
Location	Southwater, West Sussex, England
Area served	England & Wales
Key people	Chris Sherwood (CEO, August 2018 – present)
Revenue	£140.9m (2017)[1]
Employees	1,749 (2017)
Website	www.rspca.org.uk

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is a charity operating in England and Wales that promotes animal welfare. The RSPCA is funded primarily by voluntary donations. Founded in 1824, it is the oldest and largest animal welfare organisation in the world^[2] and is one of the largest charities in the UK.^[3] The organisation also does international outreach work across Europe, Africa and Asia.^[4]

The charity’s work has inspired the creation of similar groups in other jurisdictions, starting with the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (founded in 1836), and including the Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (1839), the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (1840), the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (1866), the Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (1882), the Singapore Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (1959) and various groups which eventually came together as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Australia (1981), the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Hong Kong) (1997) — formerly known as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Hong Kong) (1903–1997).

History[edit]

The emergence of the RSPCA has its roots in the intellectual climate of the late 18th and early 19th centuries in Britain where opposing views were exchanged in print concerning the use of animals. The harsh use and maltreatment of animals in hauling carriages, scientific experiments (including vivisection), and cultural amusements of fox-hunting, bull-baiting and cock fighting were among some of the matters that were debated by social reformers, clergy, and parliamentarians.^[5] At the beginning of the 19th century there was an unsuccessful attempt by Sir William Pulteney on 18 April 1800 to pass legislation through the British parliament to ban the practice of bull-baiting.^[6] In 1809 Lord Erskine (1750–1823) introduced an anti-cruelty bill which was passed in the House of Lords but was defeated in a vote in the House of Commons.^[7] Erskine in his parliamentary speech combined the vocabulary of animal rights and trusteeship with a theological appeal to biblical passages opposing cruelty.^[8] A later attempt to pass anti-cruelty legislation was spearheaded by the Irish parliamentarian Richard Martin and in 1822 an anti-cruelty to cattle bill (sometimes called Martin’s Act) became law.^[9]

Martin’s Act was supported by various social reformers who were not parliamentarians, and the efforts of the Reverend Arthur Broome (1779–1837) to create a voluntary organisation to promote kindness toward animals resulted in the founding of an informal network. Broome canvassed opinions in letters that were published or summarised in various periodicals in 1821.^[10] Broome organised a meeting and extended invitations to various reformers that included parliamentarians, clergy and lawyers. The meeting was held on Wednesday 16 June 1824 in Old Slaughter’s Coffee House, London.^[11] The meeting was chaired by Thomas Fowell Buxton MP (1786–1845) and the resolution to establish the society was voted on. Among the others who were present as founding members were Sir James Mackintosh MP, Richard Martin, William Wilberforce, Basil Montagu, John Ashley Warre, Rev. George Bonner, Rev. George Avery Hatch, Sir James Graham, John Gilbert Meymott, William Mudford, and Lewis Gompertz.^[12] The organisation was founded as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Broome was appointed as the society’s first honorary secretary.^[13] The foundation is marked by a plaque on the modern day building at 77–78 St Martin’s Lane.^[14]

The society was the first animal welfare charity to be founded in the world.^[15] In 1824 it brought 63 offenders before the courts.^[16] Princess Victoria became the society’s patron in 1835,^[11] and, as Queen, granted its royal status in 1840 to become the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, as it is today.^[17] The origins of the role of the RSPCA inspector stem from Broome’s efforts in 1822 to personally bring to court some individuals against whom charges of cruelty were heard.^[18] Broome employed and personally paid the salary for an inspector to monitor the abuse of animals at the Smithfield Market.^[19] The inspector hired by Broome, Charles Wheeler, served in the capacity of an inspector from 1824 to 1826 but his services were terminated when the society’s revenue was exceeded by its debts. The accrued debts led to a suspension of operations when Broome as the society’s guarantor for debts was imprisoned.^[20] When operations resumed there was some divided opinions in the committees that steered the society about employing inspectors, which resulted in a resolution in 1832 to discontinue employing an inspector. The permanent appointment of a salaried inspector was settled in 1838, and the inspector is the image best known of the organisation today.^[21]

Broome’s experience of bankruptcy and prison created difficulties for him afterwards and he stood aside as the society’s first secretary in 1828 and was succeeded by the co-founding member Lewis Gompertz.^[22] Unlike the other founder members who were Christians, Gompertz was a Jew and despite his abilities in campaigning against cruelty, fund-raising and administrative skills, tensions emerged between him and other committee members, due to Gompertz’s approach, considered very radical at the time, in opposition to hunting and other forms of using animals he regarded as abusive.^[23][24] The tensions led to the convening of a meeting in early 1832 which led to Gompertz resigning.^[25] His resignation coincided with a resolution adopted in 1832 that «the proceedings of the Society were entirely based on the Christian faith and Christian principles.»^[26]

Alongside the society’s early efforts to prosecute offenders who maltreated animals, there were efforts made to promote kindly attitudes toward animals through the publication of books and tracts as well as the fostering of annual sermons preached against cruelty on behalf of the society. The first annual anti-cruelty sermon that was preached on behalf of the society was delivered by Rev Dr Rudge in March 1827 at the Whitechapel Church.^[27] In 1865 the RSPCA looked for a way to consolidate and further influence public opinion on animal welfare by encouraging an annual «Animal Sunday» church service where clergy would preach sermons on anti-cruelty themes and the very first sermon was delivered in London on 9 July 1865 by Rev. Arthur Penrhyn Stanley (1815–1881), the Dean of Westminster.^[28] The «Animal Sunday» service became an annual event in different church gatherings in England, which was later adopted by churches in Australia and New Zealand in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, and it was the forerunner of the «pet blessing» services that emerged in the 1970s.^[29] In the twentieth century the RSPCA widened the horizons in the public domain by promoting an annual «animal welfare week.»^[30]

The RSPCA also had annual accounts published in newspapers, like The Londoner, where the secretary would discuss improvements, report cases, and remind the public to watch over their animals’ health.^[31]

During the second half of 1837 the society sponsored an essay-writing competition with a benefactor offering a prize of one hundred pounds for the winning entry. The terms of the competition stipulated:

«The Essay required is one which shall morally illustrate, and religiously enforce, the obligation of man towards the inferior and dependent creatures—their protection and security from abuse, more especially as regards those engaged in service, and for the use and benefit of mankind-on the sin of cruelty—the infliction of wanton or unnecessary pain, taking the subject under its various denominations-exposing the specious defence of vivisection on the ground of its being for the interests of science—the supplying the infinite demands on the poor animal in aid of human speculations by exacting extreme labour, and thereby causing excessive suffering—humanity to the brute as harmonious with the spirit and doctrines of Christianity, and the duty of man as a rational and accountable creature.»^[32]

There were 34 essays submitted and in December 1838 the prize was awarded to the Congregational minister Rev John Styles.^[33] Styles published his book-length work, The Animal Creation; its claims on our humanity stated and enforced, and all proceeds of sale were donated to the society.^[34] Other contestants, such as David Mushet and William Youatt, the society’s veterinarian, also published their essays.^[35] One entrant whose work was submitted a few days after the competition deadline, and which was excluded from the competition was written by the Unitarian minister William Hamilton Drummond and he published his text in 1838, The Rights of Animals: And Man’s Obligation to Treat Them with Humanity.^[36] This competition set a precedent for subsequent RSPCA prize-winning competitions.

The role of women in the society began shortly after the organisation was founded. At the society’s first annual meeting in 1825, which was held at the Crown and Anchor Tavern on 29 June 1825, the public notice that announced the gathering specifically included appropriate accommodation for the presence of women members.^[37] Several women of social standing were listed as patronesses of the society, such as the Duchess of Buccleuch, Dowager Marchioness of Salisbury, Dowager Countess Harcourt, Lady Emily Pusey, Lady Eyre and Lady Mackintosh.^[38] In 1837 the novelist Catherine Grace Godwin (1798–1845) described in her novel Louisa Seymour an incident where two leading female characters were aghast at the behaviour of a driver abusing a horse pulling a carriage that they subsequently discussed the problem of cruelty with other characters one of whom, called Sir Arthur Beauchamp, disclosed that he was a member of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.^[39] In 1839 another female supporter of the society, Sarah Burdett, a relative of the philanthropist Angela Burdett-Coutts and a poet, published her theological understanding of the rights of animals.^[40] However it was not until 12 July 1870 that the RSPCA Ladies’ Committee was established.^[41] Through the Ladies Committee various activities were sponsored including essay-prize competitions among children, and the formation of the Band of Mercy as a movement to encourage children to act kindly toward animals.^[42]

In the 19th century the RSPCA fostered international relations on the problem of cruelty through the sponsoring of conferences and in providing basic advice on the establishment of similar welfare bodies in North America and in the colonies of the British Empire.^[43] The RSPCA celebrated its jubilee in June 1874 by holding an International Congress on Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Queen Victoria delivered a letter of congratulations to the RSPCA on its anniversary.^[44] Although the society was founded by people who were mostly Christian social reformers, and in 1832 presented itself as a Christian charity concerned with welfare as well as moral reform, the RSPCA gradually developed into a non-religious, non-sectarian animal welfare charity.^[45]

The RSPCA lobbied Parliament throughout the 19th century, resulting in a number of new laws. The Cruelty to Animals Act 1835 amended Martin’s Act and outlawed baiting. There was a public groundswell of opinions that were divided into opposing factions concerning vivisection, where Charles Darwin (1809–1882) campaigned on behalf of scientists to conduct experiments on animals while others, such as Frances Power Cobbe (1822–1904) formed an anti-vivisection lobby.^[46] The stance adopted by the RSPCA was one of qualified support for legislation.^[47] This qualified support for experiments on animals was at odds with the stance taken by Society’s founder Broome who had in 1825 sought medical opinions about vivisection and he published their anti-vivisection sentiments.^[48] It was also a departure from the 1837 essay-competition (discussed above) where the essayists were obliged to expose «the specious defence of vivisection on the ground of its being for the interests of science.» In 1876 the Cruelty to Animals Act was passed to control animal experimentation. In 1911 Parliament passed Sir George Greenwood’s Animal Protection Act. Since that time the RSPCA has continued to play an active role, both in the creation of animal welfare legislation and in its enforcement. An important recent new law has been the Animal Welfare Act 2006.^[49][50]

During the First World War the RSPCA provided support for the Army Veterinary Corps in treating animals such as donkeys, horses, dogs and birds that were co-opted into military service as beasts of burden, messengers and so forth.^[51] However, the RSPCA estimates that 484,143 horses, mules, camels and bullocks were killed in British service during the war.^[52]

The RSPCA’s centenary in 1924 and its 150th anniversary in 1974 were accompanied by books telling the society’s story.^[53] Since the end of the Second World War the development of intense agricultural farming practices has raised many questions for public debate concerning animal welfare legislation and the role of the RSPCA. This development has included debates both inside the RSPCA (e.g. the RSPCA Reform Group) as well as among ethicists, social activists and supporters of claims for animal rights outside of it concerning the society’s role in ethical and legal issues involving the use of animals.^[54]

Animal welfare establishments[edit]

RSPCA centres, hospitals and branches operate throughout England and Wales. In 2012 RSPCA centres and branches assisted and rehomed 55,459 animals.^[55]

Hospitals[edit]

In 2013 the society owned four animal hospitals, Birmingham, Greater Manchester, Putney (south London) and the Harmsworth Memorial Hospital in Finsbury Park (north London),^[56] and a number of clinics which provide treatments to those who could not otherwise afford it, neuter animals, and accept animals from the RSPCA inspectorate. As of September 2020, the Putney Animal Hospital has been permanently closed. ^[57]

Centres[edit]

RSPCA animal centres deal with a wide range of injured and rescued animals, working alongside its inspectorate, volunteers, and others to ensure that each animal is found a new home. There are currently 17 RSPCA animal centres across the UK and a further 42 centres ran independently by Branches.^[58]

In 2013 the society had four wildlife centres at East Winch (Norfolk), West Hatch (Somerset), Stapeley Grange (Cheshire) and Mallydams Wood (East Sussex), which provide treatment to sick, injured and orphaned wild animals to maximise their chances of a successful return to the wild.^[56]

Centre name	Location	Managed by
Bath Cats & Dogs Home		Bath & District Branch
Longview Kennels		Blackpool & North Lancs Branch
Bolton Branch Advice Centre		Bolton Branch
Bridlington Cattery		Bridlington, Driffield & District Branch
Bristol Animal Rescue Centre		Bristol & District Branch
Burton upon Trent & District Branch Animal Centre		Burton upon Trent & District Branch
Bury Oldham and District Branch Animal Centre		Bury Oldham & District Branch
Canterbury & District Animal Centre	Hersden, Canterbury	Canterbury & District Branch
Enfield Cattery	Enfield	Central, West & North East London Branch
RSPCA Emergency Fostering Unit		Central, West & North East London Branch
Chesterfield Animal Centre		Chesterfield & North Derbyshire Branch
The William & Patricia Venton Animal Centre	St Columb, Cornwall	Cornwall Branch
Coventry Animal Centre		Coventry, Nuneaton & District Branch
Danaher Animal Home	Braintree	Danaher Animal Trust
Derby Shelter		Derby & District Branch
South Yorkshire Animal Centre	Bawtry	Doncaster, Rotherham & District Branch
Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford & District Animal Centre		Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford & District Branch
Hull & East Riding Animal Centre		Hull & East Riding Branch
Godshill Animal Centre	Godshill, Isle of Wight	Isle of Wight Branch
Woodchurch Animal Centre	Woodchurch, Birchington	Kent-Isle of Thanet Branch
Ashford Garden Cattery	Ashford, Kent	Kent, Ashford, Tenterden & District Branch
Altham Animal Centre		Lancashire East Branch
Leeds, Wakefield & District Branch Animal Centre		Leeds, Wakefield & District Branch
Woodside Animal Centre	Leicester	Leicestershire Branch
Lincoln Animal Welfare Centre		Lincolnshire Mid & Lincoln Branch
Scunthorpe Animal Welfare Centre		Lincolnshire North & Humber Branch
Halewood Animal Centre	Halewood, Liverpool	Liverpool Branch
Llys Nini Animal Centre	Penllergaer, Swansea	Llys Nini serving Cardiff to Swansea Branch
Medway RSPCA Rehoming Centre	Chatham	Medway West Branch
Norfolk West Branch Animal Centre	Tilney All Saints, King’s Lynn	Norfolk West Branch
North Somerset Animal Welfare Centre	Weston-Super-Mare	North Somerset Branch
Brent Knoll Animal Centre	Brent Knoll, Highbridge	North Somerset Branch
Hope Cattery	Brixworth, Northampton	Northamptonshire Branch
Preston Animal Centre		Preston & District Branch
RSPCA Radcliffe Shelter Trust	Radcliffe on Trent	Radcliffe Animal Trust
Rochdale Animal Centre		Rochdale & District Branch
Bryn-Y-Maen Animal Centre	Colwyn Bay, North Wales	RSPCA
Gonsal Farm Animal Centre	Shrewsbury	RSPCA
Birmingham Animal Centre	Frankley, Birmingham	RSPCA
Newport Animal Centre	Hartridge Farm Road, Newport	RSPCA
Great Ayton Animal Centre	Great Ayton, Middlesbrough	RSPCA
Blackberry Farm Animal Centre	Quainton, Aylesbury	RSPCA
Felledge Animal Centre	Chester Moor, Chester-le-Street	RSPCA
Block Fen Animal Centre	Wimblington, March	RSPCA
West Hatch Animal Centre	Taunton	RSPCA
Southridge Animal Centre	Potters Bar	RSPCA
Southall Cattery*	Southall	RSPCA
Millbrook Animal Centre	Chobham, Woking	RSPCA
RSPCA Friern Barnet Adoption Centre	Friern Barnet, London	RSPCA
Ashley Heath Animal Centre	Ashley Heath, Ringwood	RSPCA
Lockwood Centre For Horses & Donkeys*	Wormley, Godalming	RSPCA
South Godstone Animal Centre*	South Godstone	RSPCA
Leybourne Animal Centre	Leybourne, West Malling	RSPCA
Greater Manchester Animal Hospital		RSPCA Hospital
Birmingham Animal Hospital		RSPCA Hospital
Southall Clinic	Southall	RSPCA Hospital
Edmonton Clinic	London	RSPCA Hospital
Harmsworth Memorial Animal Hospital	Holloway, Lindon	RSPCA Hospital
Putney Animal Hospital*	London	RSPCA Hospital
Merthyr Tydfil Clinic	Merthyr Tydfil	RSPCA Hospital
Sheffield Animal Centre		Sheffield Branch
Stubbington Ark	Stubbington, Fareham	Solent Branch
Cotswolds Dogs and Cats Home	Cambridge	South Cotswolds Branch
Little Valley Animal Shelter	Bakers Hill, Exeter	South, East & West Devon Branch
Southport, Ormskirk & District Branch Animal Centre		Southport, Ormskirk & District Branch
Whaley Bridge District Auxiliary Animal Advice Centre		Stockport, East Cheshire & West Derbyshire Branch
Martlesham Animal Centre	Woodbridge	Suffolk East & Ipswich Branch
Brighton Animal Centre inc RSPCA Reptile Rescue	Patcham, Brighton	Sussex Brighton & East Grinstead Branch
Mount Noddy Animal Centre	Eartham, Chichester	Sussex Chichester & District Branch
Bluebell Ridge Cat Rehoming Centre	Hastings	Sussex East & Hastings Branch
Headcorn Cattery	Headcorn, Ashford	Tunbridge Wells & Maidstone Branch
Warrington, Halton & St Helens Animal Centre	Warrington	Warrington, Halton & St Helens Branch
Taylor’s Animal Rehoming Centre	Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester	West Dorset Branch
Wigan, Leigh & District Branch PAWS Centre	Wigan	Wigan, Leigh & District Branch
Wirral & Chester Animal Centre	Wallasey, Wirral	Wirral & Chester Branch
The Holdings Animal Centre	Kempsey, Worcester	Worcester & Mid-Worcestershire Branch
York Animal Home	York	York, Harrogate & District Branch

*closed as of September 2020^[57]

Organisation and structure[edit]

National organisation[edit]

At the national level, there is a National Control Centre, which receives all calls from members of the public, and tasks local inspectors, some information AWOs or ACOs to respond to urgent calls.^[59]

Additionally the £16 million^[60] National Headquarters located at Southwater in West Sussex houses several general departments, each with a departmental head, consistent with the needs of any major organisation. The current chief executive officer is Chris Sherwood.^[61]

Regions[edit]

There are five regions (North, East, Wales & West, South & South West, South East), each headed by a regional manager (responsible for all staff and RSPCA HQ facilities) assisted by a regional superintendent who has responsibility for the chief inspectors, inspectors, AWOs and ACOs. The regional managers are expected to have a broad understanding of operations throughout their regions.

Branches[edit]

RSPCA branches operate locally across England and Wales. Branches are separately registered charities operating at a local level and are run by volunteers. Some RSPCA branches are self-funding and raise money locally to support the animal welfare work they do. They find homes for about three-quarters of all animals taken in by the RSPCA. RSPCA branches also offer advice, microchipping, neutering and subsidised animal treatments. In 2013 there were also about 1000 RSPCA shops.

Groups[edit]

Each region of the RSPCA contains groups of inspectorate staff. A group is headed by a chief inspector, who might typically be responsible for eight or more inspectors, three animal welfare officers (AWOs) and two animal collection officers (ACOs), working with several local branches. There is also a small number of market inspectors across the country.^[62]

Inspectorate rank insignia[edit]

RSPCA Inspectorate rank insignia

Rank	Chief Officer	Chief Superintendent	Superintendent	Chief Inspector	Inspector	Trainee Inspector	Animal Collection Officer	Animal Welfare Officer
Insignia
All ranks within the Inspectorate wear a white shirt with obvious RSPCA logo on the left breast. All ranks, except Animal Collection Officers, are provided with a formal uniform for use at special occasions such as Court hearings and ceremonial occasions. During major rescues, specialist teams of Inspectorate staff may opt for a more casual dark blue polo shirt with RSPCA embroidered logo.

Mission statement and charitable status[edit]

The RSPCA is a registered charity (no. 219099) that relies on donations from the public. The RSPCA states that its mission as a charity is, by all lawful means, to prevent cruelty, promote kindness and to alleviate the suffering of animals.

RSPCA inspectors respond to calls from the public to investigate alleged mistreatment of animals. They offer advice and assistance to improve animal welfare, and in some cases prosecute under laws such as the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Animals rescued by the RSPCA are treated, rehabilitated and rehomed or released wherever possible.^[63]

The RSPCA brings private prosecution (a right available to any civilian) against those it believes, based on independent veterinary opinion, have caused neglect to an animal under laws such as the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The society has its own legal department and veterinary surgeons amongst the resources which facilitate such private prosecutions. All prosecutions are brought via independent solicitors acting for the RSPCA, as the association has no legal enforcement powers or authority in its own right.

In May 2012 the RSPCA launched its own mobile virtual network operator service, RSPCA Mobile, in partnership with MVNO whitelabel service Shebang. RSPCA Mobile claimed to be the first charity mobile phone network in the UK.^[64] The agreement included provisions such that the RSPCA would receive up to 15% of top-ups made on the network and it was expected the network would raise £50,000 in the first year of operations.^[65] RSPCA Mobile ceased service in October 2014.^{[citation needed]}

Legal standing[edit]

In 1829 when the first recognisable police force was established in England,^[66][67] they adopted a similar uniform to that of RSPCA inspectors who had been wearing uniforms since the charity’s beginning in 1824. This adoption has led to similarities in the RSPCA rank names and rank insignia with British police ranks, which has led some critics (such as Chris Newman, chairman of the Federation of Companion Animal Societies)^[68] to suggest an attempt to «adopt» police powers in the public imagination.

An RSPCA inspector may also verbally caution a member of the public, similar to that used by the police, i.e. «You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence»; this may strengthen the perception that the RSPCA has statutory powers.
When Richard Girling of The Times asked about its lack of powers, a spokesman for the RSPCA said «We would prefer you didn’t publish that, but of course it’s up to you».^[68] Chris Newman claimed that the RSPCA «impersonate police officers and commit trespass. People do believe they have powers of entry»;^[68] however, he did not produce any evidence of such impersonation of police officers, and the society strongly denies the allegation.

Sally Case, former head of prosecutions, insisted that RSPCA inspectors are trained specifically to make clear to pet-owners that they have no such right. They act without an owner’s permission, she says, «only if an animal is suffering in a dire emergency. If the court feels evidence has been wrongly obtained, it can refuse to admit it».^[68]

In 2012, a trial was halted and charges relating to nine dogs were thrown out of court after District Judge Elsey ruled that they had been wrongly seized, stating that the police and RSPCA acted unlawfully when they seized the animals without a warrant or a vet present to establish any suffering.^[69]

While the Protection of Animals Act 1911 provided a power of arrest for police, the British courts determined that parliament did not intend any other organisation, such as the RSPCA, to be empowered under the Act and that the RSPCA therefore does not possess police-like powers of arrest, of entry or of search (Line v RSPCA, 1902). Like any other person or organisation that the law deems to have a duty to investigate — such as HM Revenue and Customs and Local Authority Trading Standards — the RSPCA is expected to conform to the rules in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 so far as they relate to matters of investigation. RSPCA officers are trained to state, following giving the caution, that the person is «not under arrest and can leave at any time».

The Animal Welfare Act 2006^[70] has now replaced the Protection of Animals Act 1911, and it empowers the police and an inspector appointed by a local authority. Such inspectors are not to be confused with RSPCA inspectors who are not appointed by local authorities. In cases where, for example, access to premises without the owner’s consent is sought, a local authority or animal health inspector or police officer may be accompanied by an RSPCA inspector if he or she is invited to do so, as was the case in previous law.^[71]

Following a series of Freedom of Information requests in 2011, to police constabularies throughout England and Wales^[72] it was revealed that the RSPCA has developed local information sharing protocols with a number of constabularies, allowing designated RSPCA workers access to confidential information held on the Police National Computer (PNC). Although RSPCA workers do not have direct access to the PNC, information is shared with them by the various police constabularies which would reveal any convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands and impending prosecutions. Information regarding motor vehicles can also be accessed. The Association of Chief Police Officers released a statement clarifying that the RSPCA had no direct access to the PNC, and that in common with other prosecuting bodies, it may make a request for disclosure of records. This indirect access does not include any information that the RSPCA does not need in order to prosecute a case at court.^[73]

Controversy and criticism[edit]

Fund-raising in Scotland[edit]

The RSPCA has been criticised by the Scottish SPCA for fund-raising in Scotland and thereby «stealing food from the mouths of animals north of the border by taking donations intended for Scotland.»^[74] The RSPCA insists that it does not deliberately advertise in Scotland but that many satellite channels only enabled the organisation to purchase UK-wide advertising. In a statement, the RSPCA said it went «to great lengths» to ensure wherever possible that adverts were not distributed outside England and Wales, and «Every piece of printed literature, television advertising and internet banner advertising always features the wording ‘The RSPCA is a charity registered in England and Wales‘«. «All Scottish donors, who contact us via RSPCA fundraising campaigns, are directed to the Scottish SPCA so that they can donate to them if they so wish.»^[74] The Scottish SPCA changed its logo in 2005 to make a clearer distinction between itself and the RSPCA in an attempt to prevent legacies being left to its English equivalent by mistake when the Scottish charity was intended.^[75]

Political lobbying[edit]

The RSPCA is an opponent of badger culling; in 2006 there was controversy about a «political» campaign against culling, with the Charity Commission being asked to consider claims that the charity had breached guidelines by being too overtly political. The charity responded saying that it took «careful account of charity law and the guidance issued by the Charity Commission».^[76] Years later, an RSPCA advertisement published in the Metro newspaper said: «The UK Government wants to shoot England’s badgers. We want to vaccinate them – and save their lives.»
However, more than 100 people complained to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), saying the use of the term «exterminate» was misleading. The advertising standards watchdog judged that the advert was likely to mislead the general public who had not taken an active interest in the badger cull saying, «The ad must not appear again in its current form. We told the RSPCA not to use language that implied the whole badger population in the cull areas would be culled in future advertising.»^[77] An RSPCA spokesman said it «welcomed» the judgement of the ASA to dismiss three of the areas of complaint about their advert but «respectfully disagreed» with the complaint which had been upheld.^[78]

In September 2013 the RSPCA deputy chairman Paul Draycott said that ‘too political’ campaigns threatened the charity’s future and could deter donors.^[79] Draycott said that the RSPCA could go insolvent «We have spent months discussing where we want to be in 10 years’ time, but unless we develop a strategy for now we won’t be here then». In response the chairman Mike Tomlinson said «The trustee body continues to place its full support behind the RSPCA’s chief executive, management and all our people who do such outstanding work». The accusations of politicisation remain unsubstantiated.

Paul Draycott also warned that the RSPCA fears an exodus of «disillusioned staff» with «poor or even non-existent management training and career paths» for employees. In response the RSPCA’s chief executive, Gavin Grant denied suggestions in the memo that there was «no strategy» in some areas, stating that there was no difficulty in attracting trustees or serious internal concerns about management.^[80]

In June 2014 RSPCA campaigner Peta Watson-Smith compared the conditions livestock are brought up in across the country to that of the Jews during the Holocaust. The comments were condemned by countryside campaigners and Jewish groups.^[81] In 2015 Watson-Smith was elected to the RSPCA ruling council. At the same election the RSPCA members also voted to give a seat on the ruling council to Dan Lyons.^{[citation needed]}

In 2016 the new head of the RSPCA, Jeremy Cooper, made a dramatic, public apology for the charity’s past mistakes and vowed to be less political and bring fewer prosecutions in the future.^[82] The new chief executive admitted that RSPCA had become «too adversarial» and will now be «a lot less political».^[83] Cooper said that the charity had alienated farmers in its aggressive campaign against the government’s badger cull and disclosed that it would be «very unlikely» to ever bring another prosecution against a hunt. Cooper later resigned after just on year in charge.^[84]

In April 2019 the RSPCA has faced a new fraud investigation held at south-east London branch over the alleged mishandling of funds by two men, who were arrested on suspicion of fraud. The suspected fraud was exposed during a financial audit of the south-east London branch.^[85]

Euthanasia controversies[edit]

The RSPCA also state that whilst a few of their own branches operate «no kill» policies themselves,^[86] its policy on euthanasia is:

The RSPCA is working for a world in which no rehomable animal is put to sleep. Currently the RSPCA accepts, with great reluctance that in certain circumstances euthanasia may be necessary, when the animal is not rehomable, because it is sick or injured, for behavioural reasons or occasionally because there are no appropriate homes available and the animal would therefore endure long-term suffering through deprivation of basic needs.^[87]

There have been incidents where the RSPCA has apologised for decisions to euthanise animals.^[88] In 2008, the RSPCA was sued by Hindu monks over the killing of a sacred cow at the Bhaktivedanta Manor Hindu temple in Hertfordshire and 200 people protested at the RSPCA headquarters. On 13 December 2008, the RSPCA admitted culpability, apologised for the euthanising of the cow, and donated a pregnant cow to the temple as a symbol of reconciliation.^[89][90][91]

The RSPCA admitted that in 2014 it had euthanised 205 healthy horses. In one particular case 12 horses from a Lancashire farm that had been assessed by vets as being «bright, alert and responsive» and suffering no life-threatening issues were killed by the RSPCA.^[92]

Prosecutions[edit]

In May 2013 former RSPCA employee Dawn Aubrey-Ward was found hanged at her home when suffering from depression after leaving the animal charity.^[93] Aubrey-Ward was described by The Daily Telegraph as a whistleblower for the RSPCA’s prosecution practices. The RSPCA subsequently had a meeting with the Charity Commission over its approach to prosecutions.^[94]

On 7 August 2013 the BBC Radio 4 Face the Facts radio programme broadcast an episode called «The RSPCA – A law unto itself?»^[95]
The programme presented a number of cases of where the RSPCA has sought to hound vets and expert witnesses who had appeared in court for the defence in RSPCA prosecutions. In one case it sought to discredit the author of the RSPCA Complete Horse Care Manual (Vogel) after he appeared as an expert witness for the defence team in an RSPCA prosecution.^[96] The RSPCA later released a statement saying that this is untrue and that they do not persecute vets and lawyers who appear for the defence and as defence experts. There have been thousands of lawyers taking defence cases against the RSPCA and they have only ever made a complaint about one.^[97]

In November 2013 the RSPCA was accused of instigating police raids on small animal shelters with insufficient evidence that animals were being mistreated. The owners claimed that they were being persecuted because of their «no kill» policy of only putting animals down if they cannot be effectively treated.^[86] The RSPCA stated that their inspectors will offer advice and guidance to help people improve conditions for their animals, and it only seeks the help of the police where it considers there is no reasonable alternative to safeguard animal welfare.^[98]

Governance[edit]

The RSPCA has long been criticised for its governance with the Charity Commission describing it as below the standard expected of a large charity and in August 2018 issued the society with an official warning.^[99] The RSPCA made significant changes to its governance in 2019 reducing the size of its council from 28 trustees to a new board of trustees of 12 trustees with nine elected by the membership and three co-opted. The RSPCA also introduced term limits of nine years for its trustees and appointed its first independent chair, Rene Olivieri, in its 196 years of history.

See also[edit]

• 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
• Animal ethics
• Animal rights
• Cruelty to animals

Bibliography[edit]

• Antony Brown, Who Cares For Animals: 150 years of the RSPCA (London: Heinemann, 1974).^[100]
• Li Chien-hui, «A Union of Christianity, Humanity, and Philanthropy: The Christian Tradition and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Nineteenth-Century England,» Society and Animals 8/3 (2000): 265–285.
• Edward G. Fairholme and Wellesley Pain, A Century of Work For Animals: The History of the RSPCA, 1824–1934 (London: John Murray, 1934).
• Lori Gruen, Ethics and Animals: An Introduction (Cambridge UK: Cambridge University Press, 2011). ISBN 978-0-521-71773-1
• Hilda Kean, Animal Rights: Political and Social Change in Britain since 1800 (London: Reaktion Books, 2000). ISBN 9781861890610
• Shevawn Lynam, Humanity Dick Martin ‘King of Connemara’ 1754–1834 (Dublin: Lilliput Press, 1989). ISBN 0 946640 36 X
• Vaughan Monamy, Animal Experimentation: A Guide to the Issues (Cambridge UK; New York:Cambridge University Press, 2000). ISBN 0521667860
• Arthur W. Moss, Valiant Crusade: The History of the RSPCA (London: Cassell, 1961).
• Harriet Ritvo, The Animal Estate: The English and Other Creatures in the Victorian Age (Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 1987). ISBN 0-674-03706-5
• Richard D. Ryder, Animal Revolution: Changing Attitudes Towards Speciesism Rev Ed (Oxford; New York: Berg, 2000). ISBN 978-1-85973-330-1
• Kathryn Shevelow, For The Love of Animals: The Rise of the Animal Protection Movement (New York: Henry Holt, 2008). ISBN 978-0-8050-9024-6

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• Official website
• RSPCA YouTube channel
• «RSPCA, registered charity no. 219099«. Charity Commission for England and Wales.

Страница 37 из 53

Step 10. Задание №1

Listen to 6 texts about ecological organizations, CD (48), and match the names of the organizations (1−6) with the statements giving some information about them (a−g). One statement you don’t have to use.
Organizations
1) People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
2) The Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG)
3) The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA)
4) Greenpeace
5) The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)
6) Kids for a Clean Environment
Statements
a) Among other things this organization fights against wars.
b) This organization operates on the territory of just one continent.
c) Some members of this organization don’t pay for their membership.
d) This organization operates on the territory of just one country, the UK.
e) This organization focuses its attention on one kind of species.
f) Members of this organization believe that people shouldn’t use animals for their purposes.
g) This organization includes more members than any other organization of its kind

Прослушайте 6 текстов об экологических организациях, CD (48), и сопоставьте названия организаций (1–6) с утверждениями, дающими некоторую информацию о них (a–g). Одно утверждение вам не нужно использовать.
Организации
1) Люди за этичное обращение с животными (PETA)
2) Группа специалистов по инвазивным видам (ISSG)
3) Королевское общество по предотвращению жестокого обращения с животными (RSPCA)
4) Гринпис
5) Всемирный фонд дикой природы (WWF)
6) Дети за чистую окружающую среду
Утверждения
a) Среди прочего эта организация борется против войн.
b) Эта организация действует только на территории одного континента.
c) Некоторые члены этой организации не платят за свое членство.
d) Эта организация действует на территории только одной страны, Великобритании.
e) Эта организация сосредотачивает свое внимание на одном виде видов.
f) Члены этой организации считают, что люди не должны использовать животных в своих целях.
g) В эту организацию входит больше членов, чем в любую другую организацию такого рода.

AUDIO
1. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) if one of the largest animal rights organizations in the world. It has more than a million members and supporters. Founded in 1980, PETA’s aim is to protect the rights of all animals. PETA operates under the simple principle that animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on or use for entertainment. PETA focuses its attention on the areas in which the largest numbers of animals suffer most intensely for the longest periods of time: on factory farms, in laboratories, in the clothing and entertainment industries.
2. Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) protects natural ecological systems and the species of plants and animals they contain from the species brought to these systems from outside. Global trade and communication lead to the fact that new species invade the territories where they don’t belong. In this case the species belonging to this territory often disappear. ISSG is a global group of scientists and experts from 41 countries. Its centre is in New Zealand. It has three regional sections in North America, Europe and South Asia.
3. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) has been working since 1824 encouraging kindness to animals, trying to stop cruelty to them. In 1840 the Society’s work was considered to be so successful that Queen Victoria gave her permission for the SPCA to be called the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. New branches of the society began to appear and the 175 branches in England and Wales that exist today run 38 clinics and 33 animal centres.
4. Greenpeace is an international organization whose members work actively to protect the environment from damage caused by industrial processes or military activities. It is known for using its own boats to try to prevent governments from testing nuclear weapons, to prevent companies from pouring poisonous chemicals into the sea, and to try to save whales and other sea animals from being killed. Greenpeace has been campaigning against environmental degradation since 1971.
5. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is one of the world’s largest independent conservation organizations with almost five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to stop degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.
6. Kids for a Clean Environment organization started in 1989. The first club had six members. Very soon it became popular and today there are more than 300 000 individual members. It is one of the largest youth environmental organizations. Its aim is to give children as much information about environment problems as possible and to encourage them to become “green” and help nature wherever it is possible. Membership is free to schoolchildren and teachers.

Перевод AUDIO
1. Организация «Люди за этичное обращение с животными» (PETA) − одна из крупнейших организаций по защите прав животных в мире. Она насчитывает более миллиона членов и сторонников. PETA, основанная в 1980 году, ставит своей целью защиту прав всех животных. PETA действует по простому принципу: животные не принадлежат нам, чтобы их есть, в них одеваться, экспериментировать или использовать для развлечения. PETA сосредотачивает свое внимание на областях, в которых наибольшее количество животных страдает наиболее интенсивно в течение самых длительных периодов времени: на промышленных фермах, в лабораториях, в швейной промышленности и индустрии развлечений.
2. Группа специалистов по инвазивным видам (ISSG) защищает естественные экологические системы и содержащиеся в них виды растений и животных от видов, занесенных в эти системы извне. Глобальная торговля и коммуникации приводят к тому, что новые виды вторгаются на территории, где им не место. При этом виды, принадлежащие этой территории, часто исчезают. ISSG − это глобальная группа ученых и экспертов из 41 страны. Его центр находится в Новой Зеландии. Он имеет три региональных отделения в Северной Америке, Европе и Южной Азии.
3. Королевское общество по предотвращению жестокого обращения с животными (RSPCA) работает с 1824 года, поощряя доброту к животным, пытаясь остановить жестокое обращение с ними. В 1840 году работа Общества считалась настолько успешной, что королева Виктория дала свое разрешение на то, чтобы SPCA называлось Королевским обществом по предотвращению жестокого обращения с животными. Начали появляться новые отделения общества, и 175 отделений в Англии и Уэльсе, которые существуют сегодня, управляют 38 клиниками и 33 центрами животных.
4. Гринпис – международная организация, члены которой активно работают над защитой окружающей среды от ущерба, причиняемого промышленными процессами или военными действиями. Он известен тем, что использует собственные лодки, чтобы помешать правительствам проводить испытания ядерного оружия, чтобы компании не выливали в море ядовитые химические вещества, а также чтобы попытаться спасти китов и других морских животных от гибели. Гринпис ведет кампанию против деградации окружающей среды с 1971 года.
5. Всемирный фонд дикой природы (WWF) − одна из крупнейших в мире независимых природоохранных организаций, насчитывающая почти пять миллионов сторонников и глобальная сеть, действующая более чем в 100 странах. Миссия WWF − остановить деградацию природной среды планеты и построить будущее, в котором человек будет жить в гармонии с природой.
6. Организация «Дети за чистую окружающую среду» была основана в 1989 году. В первый клуб входило шесть человек. Очень скоро она стала популярной и сегодня насчитывает более 300 000 индивидуальных членов. Это одна из крупнейших молодежных экологических организаций. Его цель − дать детям как можно больше информации о проблемах окружающей среды и побудить их стать «зелеными» и помогать природе везде, где это возможно. Членство бесплатно для школьников и учителей.

Ответ:

1 − f, 2 − e, 3 − d, 4 − a, 5 − g, 6 − c, b − extra (лишнее).

Задание №2

Give a 2−minute talk on ecological organizations. Remember to say:
• if such organizations are important;
• how their work helps to change people’s indifference to environmental problems;
• what influence their work has on government decisions, public opinion;
• if they are likely to win supporters and followers around the world.

Проведите двухминутный доклад об экологических организациях. Не забудьте сказать:
• важны ли такие организации;
• как их работа помогает изменить безразличие людей к экологическим проблемам;
• какое влияние их работа оказывает на решения правительства, общественное мнение;
• есть ли вероятность, что они завоюют сторонников и последователей по всему миру.

Ответ:

Ecological organizations are definately important. PETA was founded to protect the rights of all animals. Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) protects natural ecological systems and the species of plants and animals they contain from the species brought to these systems from outside. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (the RSPCA) has been working since 1824 encouraging kindness to animals, trying to stop cruelty to them. Greenpeace is an international organization whose members work actively to protect the environment from damage caused by industrial processes or military activities. WWF’s mission is to stop degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. Kids for a Clean Environment organization’s aim is to give children as much information about environment problems possible and to encourage them to become “green” and help nature wherever it is possible.
For example, PETA has more than a million members and supporters and WWF is an organization with almost five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. And the number of members of ecological organizations keeps growing.

Перевод

Экологические организации, безусловно, важны. PETA была создана для защиты прав всех животных. Группа специалистов по инвазивным видам (ISSG) защищает естественные экологические системы и содержащиеся в них виды растений и животных от видов, занесенных в эти системы извне. Королевское общество по предотвращению жестокого обращения с животными (RSPCA) работает с 1824 года, поощряя доброту к животным, пытаясь остановить жестокое обращение с ними. Гринпис − международная организация, члены которой активно работают над защитой окружающей среды от ущерба, причиняемого промышленными процессами или военными действиями. Миссия WWF − остановить деградацию природной среды планеты и построить будущее, в котором человек будет жить в гармонии с природой. Цель организации «Дети за чистую окружающую среду» − предоставить детям как можно больше информации об экологических проблемах и побудить их стать «зелеными» и помогать природе везде, где это возможно.
Например, PETA насчитывает более миллиона членов и сторонников, а WWF − это организация с почти пятью миллионами сторонников и глобальной сетью, действующей более чем в 100 странах. И число членов экологических организаций продолжает расти.

Задание №3

You and your friend want to join one of ecological organizations. Discuss with him/her which one is the best to join. Consider the following options:
a) the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF);
b) Greenpeace;
c) Kids for a Clean Environment;
d) a local organization, whose aim is to make the local environment cleaner and healthier.
You begin the conversation and have to decide which option (only one) to choose. Remember to:
• discuss all the options;
• take an active part in the discussion and be polite;
• come up with ideas;
• give good reasons;
• find out your friend’s opinion and take it into account;
• come to an agreement.

Вы и ваш друг хотите вступить в одну из экологических организаций. Обсудите с ним/ней, к кому из них лучше всего присоединиться. Рассмотрим следующие варианты:
a) Всемирный фонд дикой природы (WWF);
b) Гринпис;
c) Дети за чистую окружающую среду;
d) местная организация, целью которой является сделать местную окружающую среду чище и здоровее.
Вы начинаете разговор и должны решить, какой вариант (только один) выбрать. Помните:
• обсудить все варианты;
• принимать активное участие в обсуждении и быть вежливым;
• придумывать идеи;
• привести веские причины;
• узнать мнение своего друга и принять его во внимание;
• прийти к соглашению.

Ответ:

− I think I will join the World Wide Fund for Nature.
− Oh, that’s interesting! How to do that?
− In general it’s not difficult but you have to follow some steps.
− What are they?
− First, you have to fill in and submit your WWF Volunteer and Intern Programme application form. If your application is accepted, you will get an email and you will be asked to submit supporting documents: CV, personal references, writing samples.
− What is next?
− Following the review of supporting documents, the next stage is an interview on skype or zoom. This is organized and carried out by the hosting office. If you are accepted into the WWF Volunteer programme, you’ll be sent all relevant information regarding your assignment, and what you’ll need to get done in the meantime.
− Why do you want to join WWF? What are the reasons?
− I believe people all together have to protect nature, wildlife, they have to think about future generations because the environment should be saved for them.
− I guess I would also try to do some actions but inn my opinion there are loads of local organizations, whose aim is to make the local environment cleaner and healthier.
− Yes, it’s also very good!

Перевод

− Думаю, я присоединюсь к Всемирному фонду дикой природы.
− О, это интересно! Как это сделать?
− В целом это не сложно, но вы должны выполнить несколько шагов.
− Какие они?
− Во−первых, вы должны заполнить и отправить форму заявки на участие в программе волонтеров и стажеров WWF. Если ваша заявка будет принята, вы получите электронное письмо, и вас попросят предоставить подтверждающие документы: резюме, личные рекомендации, образцы сочинений.
− Что дальше?
− После рассмотрения подтверждающих документов следующий этап – собеседование в скайп или зум. Это организуется и осуществляется принимающей стороной. Если вас приняли в волонтерскую программу WWF, вам будет отправлена ​​вся необходимая информация о вашем задании и о том, что вам нужно сделать за это время.
− Почему вы хотите вступить в WWF? Каковы причины?
− Я считаю, что люди все вместе должны защищать природу, дикую природу, они должны думать о будущих поколениях, потому что окружающая среда должна быть сохранена для них.
− Думаю, я бы тоже попытался предпринять какие−то действия, но, на мой взгляд, существует множество местных организаций, целью которых является сделать местную окружающую среду чище и здоровее.
− Да, это тоже очень хорошо!

Задание №4

A. Read the words in transcription and then check, CD (49).
1) drought [draʊt] − засуха
2) earthquake [ˈɜ:θkweɪk] − землетрясение
3) flood [flʌd] − наводнение
4) hurricane [ˈhʌrɪkən] − ураган
5) rainfall [ˈreɪnfɔ:l] − осадки
6) tornado [tɔ:ˈneɪdəʊ] − торнадо
7) tsunami [tsʊˈnɑ:mi] − цунами
volcano [vɒlˈkeɪnəʊ] − вулкан
9) heavy shower [ˌhevi ˈʃaʊə] − ливень
B. What are they?
a) major tropical storms that can cause huge waves, wind and rain
b) a sudden shaking movement of the ground
c) a very strong wind that goes quickly round in a circle or funnel
a funnel [ˈfʌnl] − воронка
d) a long period of time when there is little or no rain and crops die
e) the amount of rain that falls in a particular area during a particular time
f) a short period when it rains hard
g) a very large wave that causes a lot of damage when it hits the land
h) a mountain that forces hot gas, rocks, ash and lava into the air
i) a large amount of water that covers an area which was dry before

A. Прочитайте слова в транскрипции и затем проверьте, CD (49).
1) drought [draʊt] − засуха
2) earthquake [ˈɜ:θkweɪk] − землетрясение
3) flood [flʌd] − наводнение
4) hurricane [ˈhʌrɪkən] − ураган
5) rainfall [ˈreɪnfɔ:l] − осадки
6) tornado [tɔ:ˈneɪdəʊ] − торнадо
7) tsunami [tsʊˈnɑ:mi] − цунами
volcano [vɒlˈkeɪnəʊ] − вулкан
9) heavy shower [ˌhevi ˈʃaʊə] − ливень
B. Что это?
a) крупные тропические штормы, которые могут вызвать огромные волны, ветер и дождь
b) внезапное сотрясение земли
c) очень сильный ветер, который быстро ходит по кругу или воронке
a funnel [ˈfʌnl] − воронка
d) длительный период времени, когда дождей мало или совсем нет, а урожай погибает
e) количество дождя, выпадающего в определенной местности в течение определенного времени
f) короткий период, когда идет сильный дождь
g) очень большая волна, наносящая большой урон при ударе о землю
h) гора, которая выбрасывает в воздух горячий газ, камни, пепел и лаву
i) большое количество воды, покрывающее территорию, которая до этого была сухой

Ответ:

B.
1 − d, 2 − b, 3 − i, 4 − a, 5 − e, 6 − c, 7 − g, 8 − h, 9 − f.

Задание №5

Read the text and match its paragraphs (1−6) with the titles (a−g). Think of a title for the text.
a) Scientists’ Cooperation Against Natural Disasters
b) No More Fights with Nature
c) A Doubtful Victory over Nature
d) Nature Against Man Conquering It
e) Nature and Man: a Way to Live Together
f) The Future of the Earth
g) Working Together Against Natural Disasters
1. At the beginning of development, humans were very dependent on Nature. With time, getting more knowledgeable, people began to try and conquer nature and change the world around. New discoveries, inventions and technologies make us stronger and our lifestyle more comfortable.
2. But are we getting any wiser? Does it really pay to bring destruction to our habitat? Evi−dently, time has come to reconsider our relationship with nature and cooperate instead of struggling with it.
3. Anyhow, Mother Nature is not always kind to its children. Apart from man−made disasters we often witness natural ones. Some people say that our planet “strikes back”, taking its re−venge on people. From time to time, in different parts of the world volcanoes begin to erupt, earthquakes destroy towns and cities and storms, hurricanes, tornadoes and tsunamis break out. Some areas are hit by floods, droughts and forest fires. There is also a danger of meteor−ites and asteroids reaching the surface of the Earth in the wrong place and causing great dam−age. We can’t get rid of these threats, but now we are not as helpless as we used to be.
4. Through the centuries people have learned to predict most natural disasters and to protect themselves from them. They have also learned to work together on an international level if a catastrophe strikes. We help each other with food, fresh water, medicines and other essential things when necessary. Fire brigades travel long distances to help fight forest fires and rescue teams give a helping hand to people whose countries have been struck by disasters.
5. Astronomers all over the world watch the night sky through powerful telescopes ready to share information about any kind of danger. Seismologists warn people about earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis. Meteorologists study weather, climate and other aspects of atmosphere. They prepare reports and forecast possible tornadoes and hurricanes from their analysis.
6. If people can’t always live in harmony with Nature, they can at least try to live in harmony with other people and solve common problems together.

Прочитайте текст и сопоставьте его абзацы (1−6) с заголовками (a−g). Придумайте заголовок для текста.
a) Сотрудничество ученых в борьбе со стихийными бедствиями
b) Больше никаких ссор с природой
c) Сомнительная победа над природой
d) Природа против покоряющего ее человека
e) Природа и человек: как жить вместе
f) Будущее Земли
g) Совместная работа против стихийных бедствий
1. В начале развития люди очень зависели от Природы. Со временем, становясь более осведомленными, люди стали пытаться покорять природу и изменять окружающий мир. Новые открытия, изобретения и технологии делают нас сильнее, а наш образ жизни комфортнее.
2. Станем ли мы мудрее? Действительно ли стоит разрушать нашу среду обитания? Очевидно, пришло время пересмотреть наши отношения с природой и сотрудничать, а не бороться с ней.
3. Так или иначе, матушка−природа не всегда добра к своим детям. Помимо техногенных катастроф мы часто являемся свидетелями природных. Некоторые говорят, что наша планета «наносит ответный удар», мстя людям. Время от времени в разных уголках мира начинают извергаться вулканы, землетрясения разрушают города и города и вспыхивают бури, ураганы, смерчи и цунами. Некоторые районы страдают от наводнений, засух и лесных пожаров. Существует также опасность того, что метеориты и астероиды достигнут поверхности Земли в неположенном месте и причинят большой ущерб. Мы не можем избавиться от этих угроз, но теперь мы не так беспомощны, как раньше.
4. На протяжении веков люди научились предсказывать большинство стихийных бедствий и защищаться от них. Они также научились работать вместе на международном уровне, если случится катастрофа. Мы помогаем друг другу едой, пресной водой, лекарствами и другими необходимыми вещами, когда это необходимо. Пожарные бригады путешествуют на большие расстояния, чтобы помочь в тушении лесных пожаров, а спасатели протягивают руку помощи людям, страны которых пострадали от стихийных бедствий.
5. Астрономы всего мира наблюдают за ночным небом в мощные телескопы, готовые поделиться информацией о любой опасности. Сейсмологи предупреждают людей о землетрясениях, извержениях вулканов и цунами. Метеорологи изучают погоду, климат и другие аспекты атмосферы. Они готовят отчеты и прогнозируют возможные торнадо и ураганы на основе своего анализа.
6. Если люди не всегда могут жить в гармонии с Природой, они могут хотя бы попытаться жить в гармонии с другими людьми и вместе решать общие проблемы.

Ответ:

1 − c, 2 − b, 3 − d, 4 − g, 5 − a, 6 − e, f − extra.
The title can be: «Working Together For Saving Out Planet».

Перевод

1 − c, 2 − b, 3 − d, 4 − g, 5 − a, 6 − e, f − лишнее.
Название может быть: «Совместная работа ради спасения планеты».

Задание №6

Complete the text with the derivatives of the words on the right.
There are certain (1) _ (convenience) in modern life that are (2) _ (possible) to get rid of. For example, noise: street noise, (3) _ (industry) or domestic noise. There are standards of (4) _ (permit) level of noise and there are (5) _ (organize) responsible for controlling it. In nature loud sounds are rare, noise is rather weak and short. Birds’ voices, leaf (6) _ (move) fall (7) _ (pleasant) on the human ear. But all these (8) _ (nature) sounds (9) _ (appear) completely in other noises. The (10) _ (habit) city noise, when influencing people for a long time does not only damage the hearing, but also causes (11) _ (depress) and makes concentration difficult.

Дополните текст производными от слов справа.
В современной жизни есть определенные (1) _ (удобство), от которых (2) _ (возможный) избавиться. Например, шум: уличный шум, (3) _ (промышленный) или бытовой шум. Есть нормативы (4) _ (разрешать) уровня шума и есть (5) _ (организовать), ответственные за его контроль. В природе громкие звуки редки, шум довольно слабый и короткий. Голоса птиц, лист (6) _ (двигать) падают (7) _ (приятный) на слух человеческий. Но все эти (8) _ (природа) звуки (9) _ (появляться) совершенно в других шумах. Городской шум (10) _ (привычка) при длительном воздействии на людей не только повреждает слух, но и вызывает (11) _ (угнетать) и затрудняет концентрацию внимания.

Ответ:

There are certain (1) inconveniences in modern life that are (2) impossible to get rid of. For example, noise: street noise, (3) industrial or domestic noise. There are standards of (4) permitted level of noise and there are (5) organizations responsible for controlling it. In nature loud sounds are rare, noise is rather weak and short. Birds’ voices, leaf (6) movement fall (7) pleasantly on the human ear. But all these (8) natural sounds (9) disappear completely in other noises. The (10) habitual city noise, when influencing people for a long time does not only damage the hearing, but also causes (11) depression and makes concentration difficult.

Перевод

В современной жизни есть определенные (1) неудобства, от которых (2) невозможно избавиться. Например, шум: уличный шум, (3) промышленный или бытовой шум. Существуют стандарты (4) допустимого уровня шума и (5) организации, ответственные за его контроль. В природе громкие звуки редки, шум довольно слабый и короткий. Голоса птиц, (6) движение падения листьев (7) приятно для человеческого уха. Но все эти (8) природные звуки совершенно (9) исчезают в других шумах. (10) Привычный городской шум при длительном воздействии на людей не только повреждает слух, но и вызывает (11) депрессию и затрудняет концентрацию внимания.

Задание №7

Express the same in Russian.
1) The landscape was typical of the Lake District, with high mountains, lakes and deep valleys. 2) They enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Tasmania. 3) Your house has a fine view of the hills. 4) He painted a view of the lake that was seen from his hotel window. 5) A landscape is everything you can see when you look across an area of land, including hills, rivers, buildings, trees and other plants. 6) The windows of her flat looked out to an awesome view of London. 7) The story I read yesterday had the title “A View from the Window”. As we came nearer to the border the scenery changed. 9) We were standing on the balcony admiring a strikingly picturesque view. 10) The place I have always wanted to visit is Scotland with its picturesque scenery.

Выразите это по−русски.
1) The landscape was typical of the Lake District, with high mountains, lakes and deep valleys. 2) They enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Tasmania. 3) Your house has a fine view of the hills. 4) He painted a view of the lake that was seen from his hotel window. 5) A landscape is everything you can see when you look across an area of land, including hills, rivers, buildings, trees and other plants. 6) The windows of her flat looked out to an awesome view of London. 7) The story I read yesterday had the title “A View from the Window”. As we came nearer to the border the scenery changed. 9) We were standing on the balcony admiring a strikingly picturesque view. 10) The place I have always wanted to visit is Scotland with its picturesque scenery.

Ответ:

1) Пейзаж был типичен для Озерного края, с высокими горами, озерами и глубокими долинами.
2) Они наслаждались красивыми пейзажами Тасмании.
3) Из вашего дома открывается прекрасный вид на холмы.
4) Он нарисовал вид на озеро из окна своего отеля.
5) Пейзаж − это все, что вы можете увидеть, глядя на участок земли, включая холмы, реки, здания, деревья и другие растения.
6) Окна ее квартиры выходили на потрясающий вид на Лондон.
7) Рассказ, который я прочитал вчера, назывался «Вид из окна».
По мере приближения к границе пейзаж менялся.
9) Мы стояли на балконе, любуясь поразительно живописным видом.
10) Место, которое я всегда хотел посетить, это Шотландия с ее живописными пейзажами.

Задание №8

Find synonyms in the two columns and write 10−12 sentences with them.
1) advantage
2) disaster
3) save
4) landscape
5) comfortable
6) predict
7) observer
↓↑
a) rescue
b) forecast
c) witness
d) convenient
e) benefit
f) scenery
g) catastrophe

Найдите в двух колонках синонимы и напишите с ними 10−12 предложений.
1) преимущество
2) катастрофа
3) сохранить
4) пейзаж
5) удобный
6) предсказать
7) наблюдатель
↓↑
a) спасти
b) прогноз
c) свидетель
d) удобный
e) выгода
f) декорации
g) катастрофа

Ответ:

1 − e, 2 − g, 3 − a, 4 − f, 5 − d, 6 − b, 7 − с.
1) It is a great advantage when a football team plays a game in their home stadium.
2) War is the biggest disaster which humans can avoid.
3) Each person can save water by turning off the tap while brishing his teeth.
4) I never believe in weather forecast.
5) It’s convenient to have lessons online.
6) There are many financial benefits to owning your own home.
7) You can never predict what would happen next.
The scenery showed a wonderfull waterfall.
9) The police found a witness to the killing of the major.
10) I didn’t need you to rescue me.

Перевод

1 − e, 2 − g, 3 − a, 4 − f, 5 − d, 6 − b, 7 − с.
1) Это большое преимущество, когда футбольная команда играет на своем домашнем стадионе.
2) Война – это самое большое бедствие, которого человечество может избежать.
3) Каждый человек может экономить воду, закрывая кран во время чистки зубов.
4) Я никогда не верю в прогноз погоды.
5) Удобно проводить уроки онлайн.
6) Владение собственным домом дает много финансовых преимуществ.
7) Никогда нельзя предугадать, что будет дальше.
Пейзаж показал чудесный водопад.
9) Полиция нашла свидетеля убийства мэра.
10) Мне не нужно было, чтобы ты спасал меня.

Задание №9

Choose the appropriate words to complete the sentences.
1) The trip turned out to be shorter than we thought: it took us an hour and a half to … to the open−air museum.
a) go
b) get
c) arrive
d) reach
2) The … from the top of the hill was fantastic.
a) scenery
b) landscape
c) picture
d) view
3) Some … are so powerful that they cause the ground to split and buildings to fall down.
a) tsunamis
b) hurricanes
c) tornadoes
d) earthquakes
4) At last they managed to … some money and buy a house of their own.
a) save
b) protect
c) rescue
d) defend
5) As usual he chose the most … armchair in the room and occupied it for the rest of the evening.
a) convenient
b) cosy
c) good
d) comfortable
6) Why don’t you … your friend the whole story? He may give you some good advice.
a) say
b) speak
c) tell
d) talk
7) I still remember the beautiful mountain … we passed through on our way to the north.
a) view
b) scenery
c) sight
d) site
Julia lives in the … and travels to the city centre every day.
a) outside
b) distance
c) suburbs
d) outdoors
9) With her hair cut … she looked a different person.
a) out
b) down
c) up
d) off
10) The police are looking for people who happened to … yesterday’s road accident.
a) look at
b) witness
c) look
d) pay attention
11) The astronauts explored the … of the Moon.
a) land
b) earth
c) surface
d) face
12) After three weeks’ … waters finally moved back.
a) flood
b) tsunami
c) tornado
d) drought

Выберите подходящие слова, чтобы закончить предложения.
1) Поездка оказалась короче, чем мы думали: нам потребовалось полтора часа до … до музея под открытым небом.
a) тому назад
b) получить
c) прибыть
d) достигать
2) … с вершины холма был фантастическим.
a) декорации
b) пейзаж
c) картина
d) посмотреть
3) Некоторые … настолько сильны, что раскалывают землю и рушат здания.
a) цунами
b) ураганы
c) торнадо
d) землетрясения
4) Наконец им удалось … немного денег и купить собственный дом.
a) сохранить
b) защищать
c) спасти
d) защищать
5) Как обычно, он выбрал самое … кресло в комнате и занимал его до конца вечера.
a) удобный
b) уютный
c) хорошо
d) удобный
6) Почему бы тебе не … своему другу всю историю? Он может дать вам хороший совет.
a) сказать
b) говорить
c) рассказать
d) говорить
7) Я до сих пор помню красивую гору … через которую мы проходили по дороге на север.
a) вид
b) декорации
c) зрение
d) сайт
Джулия живет в … и каждый день ездит в центр города.
a) снаружи
b) расстояние
c) пригород
d) на открытом воздухе
9) Со стрижкой … она выглядела другим человеком.
a) вне
b) вниз
c) вверх
d) выключено
10) Полиция ищет людей, причастных к … вчерашнему дтп.
a) посмотреть на
b) быть свидетелем
c) смотреть
d) обратите внимание
11) Астронавты исследовали … Луну.
a) земля
b) земля
c) поверхность
d) лицо
12) Через три недели … воды наконец отошли.
a) наводнение
b) цунами
c) торнадо
d) засуха

Ответ:

1 − b, 2 − d, 3 − d, 4 − a, 5 − d, 6 − c, 7 − b, 8 − c, 9 − d, 10 − b, 11 − c, 12 − a.
1) The trip turned out to be shorter than we thought: it took us an hour and a half to get to the open−air museum.
2) The view from the top of the hill was fantastic.
3) Some earthquakes are so powerful that they cause the ground to split and buildings to fall down.
4) At last they managed to save some money and buy a house of their own.
5) As usual he chose the most comfortable armchair in the room and occupied it for the rest of the evening.
6) Why don’t you tell your friend the whole story? He may give you some good advice.
7) I still remember the beautiful mountain scenery we passed through on our way to the north.
Julia lives in the suburbs and travels to the city centre every day.
9) With her hair cut off she looked a different person.
10) The police are looking for people who happened to witness yesterday’s road accident.
11) The astronauts explored the surface of the Moon.
12) After three weeks’ flood waters finally moved back.

Перевод

1 − b, 2 − d, 3 − d, 4 − a, 5 − d, 6 − c, 7 − b, 8 − c, 9 − d, 10 − b, 11 − c, 12 − a.
1) Поездка оказалась короче, чем мы думали: нам потребовалось полтора часа, чтобы добраться до музея под открытым небом.
2) Вид с вершины холма был фантастическим.
3) Некоторые землетрясения бывают настолько сильными, что земля раскалывается и здания рушатся.
4) Наконец им удалось накопить немного денег и купить собственный дом.
5) Как обычно, он выбрал самое удобное кресло в комнате и занимал его до конца вечера.
6) Почему бы тебе рассказать своему другу всю историю? Он может дать тебе хороший совет.
7) Я до сих пор помню красивый горный пейзаж, через который мы проезжали по пути на север.
Джулия живет в пригороде и каждый день ездит в центр города.
9) Со стриженными волосами она выглядела другим человеком.
10) Полиция разыскивает людей, которые оказались свидетелями вчерашнего ДТП.
11) Астронавты исследовали поверхность Луны.
12) После трехнедельного паводка воды, наконец, отступили.

Задание №10

Complete the sentences using a/an, the or zero article where necessary.
1) I like … music he is playing. 2) … tiger is in danger of dying out. 3) She is studying … history of … China. 4) I’d like … glass of water. 5) They have got two children: … boy and … girl. … boy is older than … girl. 6) … English Channel is the narrow area of water between … England and … France. 7) Gregory Marshall lives in … city of … London. … Ritz hotel is not far from … place where he lives. He is … student of … Oxford University. 9) British wool such as cashmere and mohair comes mostly from … Shetland Islands. 10) This species of flora is found only in … Alaska.

Завершите предложения, используя a/an, the или нулевой артикль, где это необходимо.
1) Мне нравится … музыка, которую он играет. 2) … тигру грозит вымирание. 3) Она изучает … историю … Китая. 4) Я бы хотел … стакан воды. 5) У них двое детей: … мальчик и … девочка. … мальчик старше … девочки. 6) … Ла−Манш − это узкая водная полоса между … Англией и … Францией. 7) Грегори Маршалл живет в … городе … Лондоне. … Отель Ритц находится недалеко от … места, где он живет. Он … студент … Оксфордского университета. 9) Британская шерсть, такая как кашемир и мохер, поступает в основном с … Шотландских островов. 10) Этот вид флоры встречается только на … Аляске.

Ответ:

1) I like the music he is playing.
2) The tiger is in danger of dying out.
3) She is studying the history of China.
4) I’d like a glass of water.
5) They have got two children: a boy and a girl. The boy is older than the girl.
6) The English Channel is the narrow area of water between England and France.
7) Gregory Marshall lives in the city of London. The Ritz hotel is not far from the place where he lives.
He is a student of Oxford University.
9) British wool such as cashmere and mohair comes mostly from the Shetland Islands.
10) This species of flora is found only in Alaska.

Перевод

1) Мне нравится музыка, которую он играет.
2) Тигр находится под угрозой вымирания.
3) Она изучает историю Китая.
4) Я бы хотел стакан воды.
5) У них двое детей: мальчик и девочка. Мальчик старше девочки.
6) Ла−Манш − это узкая полоса воды между Англией и Францией.
7) Грегори Маршалл живет в городе Лондоне. Отель Ritz находится недалеко от места, где он живет.
Он студент Оксфордского университета.
9) Британская шерсть, такая как кашемир и мохер, поступает в основном с Шетландских островов.
10) Этот вид флоры встречается только на Аляске.

:»This article is about the original RSPCA in England and Wales. Similarly named societies in other countries are listed (with links) at the SPCA disambiguation page.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is a charity in England and Wales that promotes animal welfare. It is funded by voluntary donations and is one of the largest charities in the UK, with income of £100 million in 2005. Queen Elizabeth II is its patron. [http://www.rspca.org.uk/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RSPCA/RSPCARedirect&pg=about_the_rspca&marker=1&articleId=1144060334919 Retrieved on 2008-09-30]

Founded as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in 1824, it adopted its current name after being granted its royal status by Queen Victoria in 1840. It has inspired the creation of similar groups in other regions, starting with the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Northern Ireland and including the Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Scottish SPCA or SSPCA), RSPCA Australia, the Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RNZSPCA), and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in the United States.

History

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was founded in 1824 by a group of twenty-two reformers led by Richard Martin MP (who would thereby earn the nickname «Humanity Dick»), William Wilberforce MP and the Reverend Arthur Broome originally as a society to support the working of Richard Martin’s Act. This Act had been passed in Parliament on 22 July 1822 and was against cruelty to farm animals, particularly cattle. The group assembled at the «Old Slaughters» Coffee House in London to create a society with the will and authority to enforce the new law. [http://www.animallaw.info/historical/articles/arukrspcahist.htm retrieved on 2008-03-24]

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was the first animal welfare charity to be founded in the world. It was granted its royal status by Queen Victoria in 1840 to become the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. [http://www.rspca-durham.org.uk/history.html Retrieved on 2008-03-24]

William Wilberforce was already famous from his work to abolish slavery in the British Empire.

At first the organisation did not employ Inspectors. A committee inspected the markets, slaughterhouses and the conduct of city coachmen. Rev Arthur Broome, from his own funds, employed a Mr Wheeler and his assistant, Charles Teasdall. In 1824 they brought sixty three offenders before the Courts. [http://www.animallaw.info/historical/articles/arukrspcahist.htm Retrieved on 2008-03-24]

In the late 1830s the Society began the tradition of the Inspector, which is the image best known of the RSPCA today. By 1841 there were five Inspectors, each paid a guinea a week, based in London, who travelled to various parts of the country bringing suspected offenders before the Courts. [http://www.rspca.org.au/about/history_origins.asp Retrieved on 2008-03-24]

RSPCA lobbied parliament throughout the 19th century resulting in a number of pieces of legislation. The Cruelty to Animals Act 1835 amended Martin’s Act and outlawed baiting. In 1876 the Cruelty to Animals Act was passed to control animal experimentation. In 1911 Parliament passed Sir George Greenwood’s Animal Protection Act.

Since then the RSPCA in England/Wales, in Australia and the other independent SPCA groups around the world have continued to play an active role, both in the creation of animal welfare legislation and in its enforcement.

tructure today

The 1830s introduction of Inspectors also encouraged local supporters of the RSPCA to band together. Supporters were able to form a local ‘Branch’, and if the Branch raised sufficient funds then it could employ an Inspector. Today there are 172 local Branches of the RSPCA, which are either locally or nationally funded.

Branches

Local Branches are responsible for a range of animal facilities, depending upon the fund-raising capacity of the Branch. These local facilities include almost 100 animal clinics and welfare centres (including 4 specialist wildlife centres). The branches run, between them, 207 charity shops for fund raising purposes. Local branches are also responsible for local staffing. There is a certain reliance on volunteer staff members for fund-raising, secretarial, and administrative duties, whilst other staff must be employed. Local staff include:Veterinary Staff: Hospital & Clinic Assistants, Veterinary Nurses, Veterinary Surgeons (almost all are full-time).General Staff: Fund-raisers, administrators, secretaries (a large proportion are volunteers).Animal Care Assistants: ACAs, senior ACAs, Animal Centre Managers (many full-time, but supported by volunteers).Animal Collection Officers: ACO’s were previously designated a distinctive green uniform, but can now be seen in white shirt and black tie along with blue jumper. They are required to demonstrate animal-handling skills and a basic understanding of wildlife, although there are no specific educational qualifications a 3 year valid driving license is required as well as ‘robust physical health’. They are also expected to carry out euthanasia (subject to training after 3 months employment) where necessary, although they must undertake a criminal records bureau check and the attendance of an ethics course. [Animal collection officer requirements are outlined on the RSPCA careers page [http://www.rspca.org.uk/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RSPCA/RSPCARedirect&pg=careers&marker=1&articleId=996827934516] .] Staff or volunteers wishing to train as Inspectors «are» required to demonstrate certain minimum standards in formal education.

Groups

Local Branches, their staff, and the Inspectors who work in them, report through a structured chain of command, divided geographically into ‘Groups’. A Group is headed by a Chief Inspector. Each Chief Inspector might typically be responsible for around 7 Inspectors, 3 ACOs, and 1 specialist Inspector (Port Inspector, or Market Inspector, for example) working with several local Branches. [This typical Group structure is outlined in the RSPCA job description document available [http://www.rspca.org.uk/servlet/BlobServer?blobtable=RSPCABlob&blobcol=urlblob&blobkey=id&blobwhere=1184763770085&blobheader=application/pdf on-line here] .]

Regions

The Groups are collected into five ‘Regions’ (North, East, Wales & West, South & South West, South East), each headed by a Superintendent. Despite being geographically large areas, the regional Superintendents are expected to have a broad understanding of operations throughout their regions. [ [http://www.rspca.org.uk/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RSPCA/RSPCARedirect&pg=YrLocalHome This RSPCA web page] includes a regional map of the five regions.]

National

At the national level, there is a ‘National Control Centre’, which receives all calls from members of the public, and tasks local Inspectors or Animal collection officers to respond to urgent calls by means of a airwaves set. Additionally the ‘National Headquarters’ located at Horsham in West Sussex houses several general ‘Departments’, each with a departmental head, usually a Chief Superintendent. These national Departments include, for example, ‘Training’, ‘Operations’, and ‘Special Operations’. The Chief Superintendents, as Heads of Department, report to the Society’s ‘Directors’. Finally, the Directors report to a national ‘Chief Executive’ officer.

Rank insignia

Mission statement and charitable status

The RSPCA is a registered charity (no. 219099) that receives no lottery or state aid. In 2006 it had an annual expenditure of £95.5 million, placing it in the top 40 of UK charities. [ [http://www.charitiesdirect.com/CharitiesSearchTop500.asp?pagenumber=2&prepage=1 Charities Direct] ] Its annual running costs are funded exclusively by voluntary donations and legacies.

The RSPCA as a charity will, by all lawful means, prevent cruelty, promote kindness to and alleviate suffering of animals.

The RSPCA intends to achieve its mission by
* effecting strong branch, regional, national and international organisations dedicated to providing a public service, delivering effective relief of animal suffering and enforcing the law
* working tirelessly to reduce the harmful impact of human activities on animals through education, campaigning and the application of ethics, science and law
* striving for the highest levels of efficiency, effectiveness and integrity
* urging that, save where the public benefit requires, humankind should not intentionally cause suffering to any animal when it is not for its own benefit, or cause suffering by neglect. This applies whatever the animal, or the situation in which it finds itself. [http://www.rspca.org.uk/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RSPCA/RSPCARedirect&pg=about_the_rspca&marker=1&articleId=1163248954407 Retrieved on 2008-03-24]

Functions

An RSPCA inspector has no statutory powers. They may not enter anyone’s premises without permission. They can seek assistance from the local police force which may ask a magistrate for a search warrant. Local authority employees working for animal welfare, Government Animal Health Officers and the police have powers to enter in an emergency under the Animal Welfare Act, but normally require a warrant. [http://www.countryside-alliance.org.uk/political/general/enforcement-of-the-animal-welfare-act-2006/ Countryside Alliance] The RSPCA has no powers to prosecute other than by bringing a private prosecution against those it believes have caused neglect to an animal. [http://www.rspca.org.uk/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RSPCA/RSPCARedirect&pg=prosecutions rspca.org]

The RSPCA operates a number of sites that can hold lost, neglected, injured or otherwise homeless animals. Only if an animal cannot be returned or re-homed is it put down. The majority of animals euthanized by the RSPCA are sick or injured to an extent that it is the only humane course of action.

Controversy

The charity has been criticised for preparing witnesses before trials through the use of pro-forma statements. [«Private Eye» «Down on the Farm» No. 1208 18 April 2008 Pressdram Ltd.]

Hindu groups have expressed concern over the killing of a cow (named Gangotri) by the RSPCA. The cow was being kept at the Bhaktivedanta Manor temple in Hertfordshire when, on December 13, 2007, RSPCA inspectors and a government vet arrived at the Bhaktivedanta Manor temple in Hertfordshire and administered a lethal injection to the animal. The cow had damaged her hind muscles and could not stand, resulting in bed sores, although she was not suffering from any disease. [ [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/12/14/ngangotri114.xml Telegraph article] ] The temple, donated in 1973 by musician George Harrison, runs The Cow Protection Project where cows and bulls are allowed to die naturally. The RSPCA claimed that a cow was killed to prevent further suffering, however Temple officials claim that:

«Two veterinary surgeons, one who lived locally and the other a specialist based in Oxford, were regularly supervising the cow’s medical treatment. They were administering medicine themselves, and also guiding the daily care being given by the community members. It is normal farming practise that once a cow is down or cannot walk, she will be killed by the vet because, within a few weeks, physical complications will arise that most farmers don’t have the time to deal with. As a religious community, we made the choice to care, and those two vets chose to support us. Two other vets, who were unfamiliar with the way we work with animals, one of whom was merely a passer-by, gave different opinions. At first, the chief vet responsible for animal welfare in the appropriate government department, known as Defra, also gave a recommendation that the cow be killed. When he made a personal visit to the temple however, and saw how the animal was being cared for, he informed us that no further action would be taken». [ [http://www.justiceforgangotri.org/myths-and-facts/ Myths and Facts ] ]

The temple officials are considering legal action against the RSPCA over its actions. [ [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article3047068.ece Times Online Article] ]

On December 26, 2007, about 200 people protested at the RSPCA headquarters in Horsham, West Sussex, while another 700 Hindus held prayers at the Manor. [ =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/7160055.stm Hindus protest over cow slaughter] ]

Contact

The RSPCA can be contacted 24 hours a day on 0300-1234-999. Not only do they investigate complaints of neglect but also perform rescues on both wild and domestic animals.

ee also

* Scottish SPCA, the equivalent organisation in Scotland.
* Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (links to other SPCA organizations worldwide)
* Eurogroup for Animals represents organisations such as the RSPCA at the European Union level
* Animal rights
* Cruelty to animals
* Humane Society
* Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)

Further reading

* «Who Cares For Animals: 150 years of the RSPCA» by Antony Brown. [ Detail from a copy of the book, published by Heinemann of London in 1974 with an ISBN of 434 90189 X. The chapters relate to the Origin of the Society, and finishes with prospects for the future, with a foreword by John Hobhouse (Chairman of the RSPCA). Appendix section includes a List of Past Presidents and Accounts information. ]
* «Animal Experimentation: A Guide to the Issues» Vaughan Monamy, Cambridge University Press

References

External links

* [http://www.rspca.org.uk RSPCA England/Wales]
* [http://www.rspca-middlesex.org.uk RSPCA Middlesex North West Branch]
*
* [http://www.archive.official-documents.co.uk/document/hoc/321/321.htm Guidance on the Operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986]
* [http://www.intelligentgiving.com/charity/219099 Intelligent Giving profile of RSPCA]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/7160055.stm Hindus stage protest after Royal SPCA killed their sacred cow]
* [http://www.animal-job.co.uk/RSPCA-Inspector.html RSPCA Inspector Career advice]