Coincidentally, after discussing tail docking on here a young guy knocked looking for money for the RSPCA. I went to the gate to talk to him with dog barking as she doesn't like strangers until they give her a treat :rolleyes: (beware of the dog unless you have biscuits).  He moved his hand towards the bars of the gate and I told him that I wouldn't do that if I was him.  He asked if my dog would bite and I said well she hasn't yet but she was doing a pretty good impression of being fierce so wouldn't chance it.  So he ignored my advice and continued, she snapped and he looked surprised :rolleyes:

Anyway, I told the guy this was not a good time to ask me for money because I was all fired up about the anti-docking campaign that the RSPCA championed.  He didn't know anything about it so I just said well I don't agree with it so I think it is money poorly spent that could have been used for more worthy causes, besides which if docking was so cruel why hadn't they tried to ban the removal of dewclaws at the same time?  He said, "What are they?"

I know the RSPCA do good a lot of the time but really, if they are going to send canvassers looking for money can't they at least send someone that knows something about dogs? 

The canvassers are normally volunteers who give up their free time for the charity of their choice.  I can understand what you're saying but to be honest I don't think an indepth knowledge of policies are the first thing on their minds.  They're just grateful for volunteers.

Debs

That explains it then sort of although I didn't get the impression he was a volunteer.  We went off topic and in conversation it turned out he was from a university town and I explained to him how to access uni via adult education in which he was very interested.  Obviously I must be wrong but I got the impression he was doing it for pennies.

I think you are right Cheryl, a lot of the charities seem to be employing collectors now I suppose since the squeeze went on with the lottery. 
Sounds to me like you got your monies worth (well if you'd spent any :D) getting a lengthy chat with this young man at your garden gate :p

I always thought the RSPCA did a good job and I would usually support them,but , today I  spoke to someone whose step father died at the weekend. He had an elderly dog and they telephoned the RSPCA for help and their advice to them was to have the dog PTS. I was shocked. Poor dog.
Jane

They are probably acknowedging the reality of homing an elderly dog together with the unhappiness of him living out his days in kennels.  Have they tried the Cinnamon Trust.

I have had the RSPCA knocking at my door for money. Needless to say I didnt gave them a penny and I never will. They were very shocked when I told them what I thought about them.

The RSPCA have made a few political moves that I have desagreed with but I wonder who would take over evidence gathering for cruelty cases, for instance, if everyone stopped donating.

I do think that some people think that the RSPCA have a never-ending supply of inspectors, who work 24 hours a day and are just sitting around waiting for a phone call from the public :( I'm sure that like most organisations, they have to ration their responses and can't possibly turn out to every phonecall :(

Daisy

I have twice helped out friends who have had to re-home elderly dogs and both times this was through the RSPCA.  The lady concerned only dealt with elderly dogs and all of the dogs were found fantastic homes :)

Im not saying the RSPCA are perfect though :rolleyes:

There is no doubting that the RSPCA do very good work and without the public's money they wouldn't be able to do it.  My own point of view though is that it is disappointing for such an influential body to get involved in the anti-docking campaign.  Reputable breeders of docked breeds love their dogs dearly and I find it hard to swallow that they and I (as owner of docked breed) have been singled out for a campaign that labels us as cruel.  This weekend my parents went to a row of N.London garden nurseries and my mum was telling me about the "gorgeous German Shepherd puppies" that were for sale there.  This is where I would rather see the money on promotion against cruelty being placed.