With huge sadness I’m resigning as Vice President of RSPCA, a role I’ve held with pride for over 15 years. But their Assured Schemes risk misleading the public & legitimising cruelty. I tried with @ChrisGPackham to persuade the leadership to act but sadly failed www.thetimes.com/article/100c... - ThreadSky

carolinelucas.bsky.social • 134 days ago

With huge sadness I’m resigning as Vice President of RSPCA, a role I’ve held with pride for over 15 years. But their Assured Schemes risk misleading the public & legitimising cruelty. I tried with @ChrisGPackham to persuade the leadership to act but sadly failed

https://www.thetimes.com/article/100c3f46-12f3-4b51-9ed1-d8533d2a0a71?shareToken=e14ad6c887904f30f913f4b40d8c14e8

Comments

jedijoff.bsky.social•134 days ago

I stopped supporting the RSPCA when I found out that they put healthy animals down just because they have been in the shelter too long. Our 9yr old rescue dog couldn’t be nicer.

You’ve stood by your principals Chris that’s what really matters. Even animals destined to become food deserve respect 🥰

themorganic.bsky.social•134 days ago

Well done Caroline. This is the right thing to do. 😊💚✊🌿🐷🦃🎄

andycorney.bsky.social•134 days ago

Could you please highlight the fact that peaceful protesters are being imprisoned over Christmas Caroline. Thanks 🙏 Andy

alistairblantyre.bsky.social•133 days ago

😮

scotlandishson.bsky.social•134 days ago

Once in the early 90s bumped into Chris Packham in a techno club in the south of England, nice bloke

mrmoog.bsky.social•134 days ago

Thanks to you both for trying. So sad that this organisation decides to do this.

cllrchester.bsky.social•134 days ago

Here is a link to an alternative article (I can't read The Times!)
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/21/chris-packham-and-caroline-lucas-accuse-rspca-of-legitimising-cruelty

suehh.bsky.social•133 days ago

Can we have a list of the abattoirs which promote cruelty please.

kbgreens.bsky.social•134 days ago

We were able to read it but thank you for this one too

invisiblenan.bsky.social•134 days ago

Thank you. Me neither.

ceri-turns.bsky.social•134 days ago

I can't usually, but for some reason was able to.

rectalwart.bsky.social•134 days ago

https://archive.ph/xFC3r

rectalwart.bsky.social•134 days ago

Use this site to get past paywalls, it's great

gregcarrhope.bsky.social•133 days ago

Who has more leadership or authority than the Pres.and VP ? The fact is the animals were not being protected.

jimup60.bsky.social•134 days ago

RSPCA puts it's buisness and financial interests above its mission, sadly. It was always a conflict of interest offering the animal farming sector an RSPCA approval for financial gain !
The good work rescuing animals from cruelty and neglect was funded by farming animal cruelty ! What a mess

blackcat70.bsky.social•134 days ago

The RSPCA is no longer a charity to help animals, it's a money making racket

colbobs.bsky.social•134 days ago

It's worse https://bsky.app/profile/bladeofthes.bsky.social/post/3ldsxpz3oes2o

colbobs.bsky.social•134 days ago

The misleading has happened, the risk is in place to the tune of millions of animals not having acts of cruelty against them prevented.
Well done for the principled position, others to follow?
The only way to reduce harms to as low as reasonably achievable is to be vegan. @plantbraced.bsky.social

joeypajamas.bsky.social•134 days ago

I don't understand why you'd quit rather than stay to try and improve things? Not a criticism, I'm genuinely curious.

jamesbottomley.bsky.social•134 days ago

They're not the only charity sucked into schemes of corporate washing certifications for money. It's quite an industry and many of the others are equally dubious. One thinks of the Marine Stewardship Council and everything that claims to authenticate produced in Britain logos.

alloutgreen.bsky.social•134 days ago

Not sure resigning is ever the right choice for any given cause as it just creates a vacancy to be filled by a lesser person - especially so in this case.
However I fully understand that resigning can be the right choice for the person (having been there myself) because the brick wall always wins

cleverpun.bsky.social•134 days ago

Surely resigning like this becomes a news story thus highlighting the systemic issues that leadership aren’t addressing. Hopefully they’ll be shamed into action or lose funding

alloutgreen.bsky.social•134 days ago

Problem is, any funding they lose is likely to be reimbursed by some corporate or another in exchange for more control/influence. Or by the various farming unions who support the status quo of brutal farming methods.

(Not all) Farmers get so much for so little and always get their way. Has to stop

elizabethmanneh.bsky.social•134 days ago

So glad that you’ve shown the integrity to make this decision.

jaylo264.bsky.social•134 days ago

Well done, Chris and Caroline [and Brian M] -- think of the immense cruelty probably taking place in those 'non-assured- places. Makes one shudder.

redkite-traveller.bsky.social•134 days ago

"Royal society"
Royals hunt and shoot
The whole thing is hypocrisy

This should be mandated in law not left to a charity.

rainbowchazer.bsky.social•134 days ago

The RSPCA lost the plot years ago. It started as a charity which rescued domestic animals from abuse or neglect. Too bad it didn't stay as that, because it was good at that. Not any more, sadly.

babsh.bsky.social•134 days ago

Well done.

freeboyd.bsky.social•134 days ago

Well done! Why is there such a complete disregard for animal welfare with so many people? Is it time for a new body of people to oversee animal welfare and report the truth! I'd back Chris & Caroline with this. Maybe lots of other people would if they're up for it?

fl600.bsky.social•134 days ago

RSPCA in not-fit-for-purpose shocker!

imaged.bsky.social•134 days ago

Can you advise if the people torturing the animals will now be arrested? The evidence is there.

kylotan.bsky.social•134 days ago

I'm glad to read this. After their 'independent review' basically whitewashed the process and made no attempt to explain how the previously exposed failures could be happening, it seemed clear they were more interested in their own reputation than the welfare of the animals.

rachw.bsky.social•134 days ago

Can the two of you start a new charity? I would donate to that. I refuse to donate to any charity with a royal appointment.

sarahdeere-jones.bsky.social•134 days ago

Definitely the right thing to do.

meteorgirl.bsky.social•134 days ago

An animal charity that not only approves of the slaughtering of animals, but also provides mitigation for that act, is not fit for purpose. It’s full of vested interests, industry and government patronage. I have never given them a penny and never will. There are plenty of others to support.

starwolf777.bsky.social•126 days ago

They always start as gatekeepers until people start paying at the door of entry. Then it's a racket.

bindyp.bsky.social•134 days ago

I've felt for a long time that RSPCA approved on meat is meaningless. Well done to both of you for resigning, hopefully this will highlight this issue. But I'm not holding my breath.

shirleyfw.bsky.social•134 days ago

Thanks for trying.

epsilonsky.bsky.social•134 days ago

🌟🍃🌟

You did the right thing...

lomelindi12.bsky.social•134 days ago

😔

dibass.bsky.social•134 days ago

If we see a film of a dozen sick salmon at the surface of a massive sea cage with a 100k+ fish in it, that’s looks horrible but is really a good level of animal welfare overall compared to 100,000 scabby sheep on the fells or inbred Holstein cattle barely able to walk under the weight of milk.

dibass.bsky.social•134 days ago

It’s understandable to be upset and to have supporters be upset but maybe the problem lies with communication? What is being assured and is it at the individual, farm or industry level? There will always be sickness and genetic diseases, and to claim there aren’t would be nuts.

kylotan.bsky.social•134 days ago

I think you've missed some context. This isn't about sickness and genetic diseases, but about evidence of farmers showing direct cruelty to animals on 'RSPCA Assured' farms and the RSPCA shrugging and saying, "well, it might be even worse if we weren't there, deal with it".

harishdavda.bsky.social•128 days ago

Sad but good decision by you and @chrisgpackham.bsky.social I love your principled approach to what you do. All the best for 2025.

bintymcfrazzles.bsky.social•134 days ago

Thank you for trying and thank you for standing up for what is right and staying true to your principles.

veganfta.bsky.social•134 days ago

I can honestly say the content on assured web site is absolute bollox. And @rspcaoffficial.bsky.social supports them

https://www.rspcaassured.org.uk/

sjsblenkathra.bsky.social•134 days ago

Thank you. My opinion of the @rspcaoffficial.bsky.social is that it is not fit for purpose and has not been for many years. Having had four unsuccessful experiences with them and given them money. The last time 10 years ago was the final straw. They are a disgrace.

mrsnodes.bsky.social•134 days ago

Paywalled tho, innit

cheddarz.bsky.social•134 days ago

Doesn't seem to be as I've just read it.

trustedverifyer.bsky.social•134 days ago

Thank you.

paulnuk.bsky.social•134 days ago

Shouldn't the government be ensuring nothing like this happens to animals, rather than a not fit for purpose charity?

mrspugwash.bsky.social•134 days ago

The problem is that most people don’t care. They just want cheap meat. The government only cares about votes and donations.

alismc.bsky.social•134 days ago

RSPCA- Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals-This stinks and I think someone needs to investigate this organisation and those who issue the ‘assured stamp of approval’ on their behalf.

starwolf777.bsky.social•126 days ago

If some wildlife is protected while other wildlife is gleefully hunted it speaks to hypocrisy and covering for cruelty, not curtailing it. Well done sir.

elliel.bsky.social•134 days ago

Thank you for drawing our attention to this

southlincspie.bsky.social•134 days ago

Backing you on this - well done.

interestedpartyuk.bsky.social•134 days ago

It seems there is no organisation that can be trusted any more.

therapod.bsky.social•134 days ago

Sadly it's now the Royal Society for the Preservation of Commercial Activities

thetypist.bsky.social•134 days ago

Thank you for your integrity

tocatchathief.bsky.social•134 days ago

Sadly an ag seem to have their claws in to the charity.
Never understood why an aimal charity would have schemes like these unless it's all about the greenback boogie at the end of the day 🤷‍♀️
Well done Chris & Caroline for at least sticking with it & trying 👍

robgmacfarlane.bsky.social•134 days ago

Thank you both for, as always, doing what is right rather than what is easy.

tristramc.bsky.social•134 days ago

So you and Packham just run away? You are President and Vice President, so deal with it and fix it, you pair of w****rs

laddieandjoey1.bsky.social•134 days ago

What can be done Caroline ? How can I help ?

mrbojangles2.bsky.social•134 days ago

Have been very disappointed with RSPCA for years.. I found so many barriers in place when I hoped to re-home one of the dogs years ago .. that was despite the fact that I ticked all the boxes ..

ianmiddleton.bsky.social•134 days ago

As one of the original signatories to the open letter calling for the RSPCA to pull the scheme I'm grateful to high profile animal advocates like Caroline and Chris for standing up to be counted for the animals.

petersaccount.bsky.social•134 days ago

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

bows4crows.bsky.social•134 days ago

Thank you for trying. It's very disappointing from RSPCA.

ronreid.bsky.social•134 days ago

Why have British institutions lost their backbone? RSPCA with abattoirs, and also the Royal Society declined to purge Elon Musk, who has promoted anti-science conspiracies, as a fellow.

struds.bsky.social•134 days ago

£££££

george-aloysius.bsky.social•134 days ago

I met the long shadow of the RSPCA when they killed a cow at a Hindu place of worship. Both the vet and specialist vouched for the cow. Yet the RSPCA’s uniformed enthusiasm and insensitivity killed the cow and traumatised a community.

laurenalwyn.bsky.social•127 days ago

That's awful

formerspring.bsky.social•134 days ago

Thank you for your efforts. And now the public are more aware of your concerns.

da1sy-alexander.bsky.social•134 days ago

One of the reasons I stopped donating

braincells.bsky.social•134 days ago

Thanks for your efforts to improve animal welfare. Going to look long and hard before making general donations to RSPCA although of course many of its individuals do fantastic work worthy of support which I will continue.

mrspugwash.bsky.social•134 days ago

There is no ethical abattoir. People are cruel and stupid and people work in abattoirs. If you care about animals you won’t eat them.

lynnejonesorguk.bsky.social•134 days ago

Timely article in latest @ethical-consumer.bsky.social magazine

greenplanetfish.bsky.social•134 days ago

Thanks for consistently acting with such calmness, kindness and integrity.

stevebasnett.bsky.social•133 days ago

What's going on, Caroline @carolinelucas.bsky.social? People in organisations we've all trusted for decades are behaving counter to what we would expect. 'Leaders' of the Observer/Guardian have just done something very odd thousands of us can't comprehend.

https://broligarchy.substack.com/p/who-is-the-money-behind-the-money?r=nv9u6&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true