RSPCA

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is a British charitable organization dedicated to animal welfare. Founded in 1824 as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, it received a royal charter and later adopted the name RSPCA in 1840. It is one of the oldest and most prominent animal welfare charities in the United Kingdom, operating across England and Wales with affiliated activities in Scotland. The charity aims to prevent cruelty, promote welfare, rescue and rehome animals, and educate the public about responsible care.

Activities include inspecting and investigating reports of animal cruelty, rescuing animals in distress, providing veterinary support and sheltering, and running rehoming centres. The RSPCA also conducts cruelty prosecutions in cooperation with police and local authorities, lobbies for improved animal welfare legislation, and runs education campaigns on topics such as pet care, farming practices, and wildlife welfare. The organization comprises a national body and a network of local branches and welfare centres.

RSPCA operates as a registered charity and relies largely on voluntary donations, legacies, bequests, and income from charity shops and fundraising. It is independent of the government and works in coordination with the police and local authorities. Like many charities, it has faced scrutiny over finances and fundraising practices, and it has pursued governance reforms and transparency measures. Similar organizations with the RSPCA name exist in other countries, notably in Australia, where separate RSPCA societies operate under the common goal of animal protection.