I will try to keep this short but it is a bit of a sad story. In the middle of Feb we resuced a ckc from what we thought was the national RSPCA, he was such a sweet heart although a bit overweight, he immediatly jumped into our hearts and had such potental. When we met Charlie (ckc) he was in there quarantine as we were told he had kennel cough. He had to remain there until the vet gave the all clear for us to take him home, which the vet did a few days later saying that he still needed to continue on his course antibiotics for another week to clear the kennel cough. Charlie came home with us but after his week on antibiotics he still was not completely clear so we took him along to our vet to get him a check up. Upon our vet giving him a medical, she was not 100% such that it was kennel cough, and that she also had to consider Distemper, although rare it was still a possibility. So back home with us with more antibiotics and eye drops and to go back in a week for another check. Before the week was up Charlie had go down hill and we went straight back to the vet who admitted him to hospital as he needed to be put on IV fluids, he remained with them on high dose antibiotics and fluids for 4 days. When he came home he did seem to be picking up, but yet again within 3 days he had gone down him and was back into hospital, the sad part it that unfortunaly Charlie did not recover this time and began to fit continuasly which was heartbreaking to see him going through and the decision had to be made for charlie to be allowed to rest, our vet does feel that it is a high possibility that Charlie did have Distemper. Throughout this was in touch with the RSPCA to try and gain any medical history they had, was told they had none. I have been in touch with there head office since and have request any help with the large vet bills, I pointed out to them that this is contry to there own policy of allowing a sick animal to be rehomed, yet the little man on the phone who is in charged replied with the quote "buyer beware", this suprised me and he then went on to inform me that they are only a sub division of the RSPCA who are allowed to trade using the RSPCA name and logo, wow again SUPRISE. I thought that they where just one main society, well this morning they have so kindly offer me my adoption fee back plus the pricely sum of £70 towards the vets bills. Comes no where near, yet in total we had poor Charlie for only 18 days and it comes to more than £300. This to me seem wrong, we did not think that Charlie would only be with us for under 3 weeks, you expect to have a longer period, had we of been given the information that Charlie may no matter how small the risk of had something more serious going on then we could of made an informed decision about rehoming him, but we were led to believe that it was not something serious and he would be fine. And a thought crosses my mind that if it was Distemper what about the other dogs at the rescue who where around Charlie, are they not at risk? No matter how small the chance it is still a possibility, yet the little man does not want to admit that.
Well have tried to be short, not worked, but would welcome your thoughts on this.

Hi Charlieboy,
What a truly awful thing to happen to you! :-( This should be a warning to everyone else that act out of the goodness of their hearts. Like you, I didnt know that these sub divisions were allowed to trade using the RSPCA's name. Can't you contact the head office of the RSPCA and really kick up a stink? These people should not be allowed to re-home animals with such an irresponsible attitude There are enough genuine rescue homes out there fighting to rehome without bad behaviour from the likes of the people you dealt with. If he was checked by one of their vets, how come they didn't pick up that it could have been Distemper? I presume that you have asked that question. No consolation to you now, I know, but they should be accountable for their disgraceful attitude.
As you say, the big problem now, could be, that if your Charlie did have Distemper, how many other people have rescued dogs that came into contact with him and are going through the same trauma that you have just been through?? Where did he get it from? before or after he went to them for re-homing is another question that comes to me. Alas you will probably never know :-( It is behaviour like that, that could cause an outbreak of Distemper in the area, knowing how contagious it can be. As we know,unvaccinated dogs can pick it up literally ANYWHERE. I hope that this hasn't put you off re-homing again but I feel that you need to do something about it, not just for yourself but for anyone else who finds themselves in this unfortunate situation.Good luck and let us know what you have managed to do ;-)

I'm so sorry that you lost poor Charlie and that you had to go through all this. :(  I would definately have a word with Trading Standards. They've are very helpful and will be able to advise you. They've helped me twice in the past (though it wasn't dog related), I emailed explaining my problem and they rang me back and got it sorted for me both times. :)

Find out your local office by entering your postcode here...
http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/

Kath. xx

Tell the RSPCA Head Office you are going to Watchdog.  No don't just tell them, do it, send Watchdog an email from the BBC website.  There are two seperate problems here, one concerning the centre you went to and their practices, the second one being the way the RSPCA are allowing these 'sub-divisions' to use their name and logo, if the RSPCA aren't prepared to ensure good practices and standards at all places carrying their name and logo, and if they aren't prepared to intervene when someone carrying their logo practices badly.

Whilst Watchdog is mainly a consumer thing, you are a consumer in a way, and I think this would be an interesting topic for them rather than the usual undelivered wardrobe stories.  Or a programme similar to that.  Regardless, I often find when I have a gripe that I mention Watchdog and the company concerned immediately sits up and takes responsibility.

Like you say, its not just about you unfortunately being out of pocket, but the risks to health these people are putting those dogs in.

This also makes a complete joke of the RSPCA as a whole if they consider themselves helpers of animals. I have heard endless horror stories about them and do wonder what they actually do if they can let anyone call themselves RSPCA.

Poor you for it to happen to you though. so difficult.

Im so very sorry to hear of Charlies short stay with you and how badly you were treated. Caveat emptor ( buyer beware) indeed!

I am no great fan of the RSPCA anyway and now this has reinforced my dislike for them. 

I know just how to rattle their cage....want help pm me. 

So sorry you lost your baby.

Hi Jazzi
Would love your help any advice is appreciated.
Sorry dont know how to pm, so hope you see this.

Would just like to say a big thank you to everyone who has replied to my post, it helped us in knowing we had support from others. Was a upset again yesterday as the RSPCA sent us a miserly check for £128 and they felt that this was an appropriate amount, and that they where being generous by refunding what we paid for Charlie plus an ex gratia payment. Charlie deserved better than this, he deserved the best treatment and that was what he got.
We are at least comforting ourselves with the fact that he got to spend his last few weeks with us, and although ill he did have some happier moments and at least he had his comforts.
Once again thank you all for your support.

I have to agree with what everyone has said here. This is appauling. I didnt know about sub divisions either, I bet not many people do. I also think it would be a good idea to contact watchdog. I know that in the past they have covered puppy farms, so I think they would be interested in this too. People should know about this. Also, threaten them with the small claims court to get your money back.

Kat

I have sent you a private message with my contact number and email address. If you look at the messages in top right of screen.  I cannot really post other peoples numbers who could possibly help you as this is a public forum.

Jaz

Sent you another PM Charlieboy63...urgent