Scottish SPCA tackles RSPCA confusion
Almost one in four people across the country confuse the Scottish SPCA with the RSPCA, according to a new poll.
Scotland’s animal welfare charity commissioned a survey to assess how many people mixed up the organisations.
A quarter of respondents said they thought the Scottish SPCA was a part of the RSPCA, but they are two entirely separate organisations.
The RSPCA operates in England and Wales only, but the poll, which was carried out by ScotPulse, showed 16 per cent of people think they rescue animals in Scotland.
The survey, which questioned 1,144 Scots, also revealed 23 per cent of people would call the RSPCA if they found an animal in distress.
The Scottish SPCA is aiming to raise awareness of the difference between the two charities as it appeals for public support and donations in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
Chief executive Kirsteen Campbell said: “We get around 200,000 calls to our animal helpline every year and this survey suggests as many as 50,000 of those people call and think we are a part of, or the same as, the RSPCA.
“We have a shared goal and a wonderful relationship with the RSPCA and work hand in hand with them to take on some of the most critical animal welfare issues of our time, such as puppy farming.
“But we think it is important people understand that, while our counterparts do fantastic work in England and Wales, we are the only national animal welfare charity in Scotland investigating animal cruelty, rescuing domestic and wild animals, tackling organised crime and delivering a free education programme.”
The Scottish SPCA, which is entirely funded by public donations, is continuing to respond to emergency reports of animals in need throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
Kirsteen added:“Lockdown has forced us to completely change the way we do our essential work.
“In the past few weeks, we’ve responded to around 2,000 reports of animals in need and we still have hundreds of animals in our care across our rescue and rehoming centres.
“We will continue to fulfil our duty to animals for however long this lasts.
“As long as animals need us, we’ll be there.”