Interesting Children In Work Of Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 14636, 3 April 1948, Page 5

Interesting Children In Work Of Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals

Housewife’s Commentary

Daughter arrived homo from school looking slightly important. “I am going to become an Animal Defender” she announced, and taking, a small blue magazine from her satchel, sat down cross-legged on the floor to read. This was something new. Humbly to pander to the important look, I asked for further details. “Pm going to look after animals,” she said briefly, and returned to her reading. Rather alarmed, I pictured a lai’ge brood of rabbits in the back garden, with the ‘‘looking after” devolving on me as soon as the novelty had passed. But gradually the story came out. Domestic pets came into it, taut only on the boy scout principle of good deeds. Junior Groups Animal Defenders, it seems, are a junior branch of Britain’s Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Any child between eight and 16 "can join and groups are formed within schools, churches boy scout and girl guide troops. The members are pledged to be kind to animals, to think and care for them. There are lectures and nature films, and the Defenders even have their own 1 ittle monthly magazine (the one Daughter was reading)’ called “Animal Ways”. Shamefaced, I admit that this work was unknown to me, although it has existed for a good many years. One has heard, perhaps rather vaguely, of the work of the Society, of how it has fought its way through prejudice and ridicule to establish a place for animals and their rights. I had not before realised this plan to train youngsters from an early age in gentleness and consideration for their pets and the wild things in the fields. In 1824, when the Society was founded, the idea of being kind to animals seemed to most people rather extraordinary. Perhaps they were more thoughtless, perhaps they did not care. But for eleven years the Society fought what looked like being a losing battle until Queen (then Princess) Victoria became its Patron, an example which has been followed ever since by members of the Royal Family.

At first there was actual cruelty to be combated. But gradually understanding and education led to the more humane treatment of animals. The Society grew in strength, was able to press for Acts of Parliament, which now protect wild birds, insist on humane slaughter of cattle, and make cruelty to animals of any kind a punishable

(By Phyllis Lovell)

offence. Today, these aims accomplished, the Society still has a wide field to cover. Near our home is a R.S.P.C.A. Animal Clinic, one of the hundreds which are all over Britain where 300,000 sick animals are treated every year. None but fully qualified vetinary surgeons are allowed to practice in these Clinics. No Fee to Pay

The little waiting-room is always full mostly of small boys and girls hugging ailing pets, patiently awaiting their turn for attention. They know that Pluto or Sandy will be made well if they do what the “vet” tells them. They know too, that Pluto will not be turned away because his small master has no money to pay for treatment. No fee is asked. At the door stands a collecting box, and those who bring their pets put in what they wish if they can. These small contributions do not make up the Society’s income.. The organisation is. run on voluntary contributions, helped by membership fees. With the help of these funds, the Society has spread itself widely all over the world. Wherever there is war, its representatives are there, seeing what can be done to help the animals which are involved, either for use as transport, or by being injured or left homeless. Just before the end of World War 11, a new fund was opened to deal with the war problems of animals in the liberated countries. A small sum from the Society’s funds is set aside for a gracious and pleasant gesture, the yearly payment of dog licences for a few poor people who really love their pets but cannot afford the fees. “For Valour” Dogs on active service in World War II were given special R.S.P.C.A. discs for their dollars, with the words “For Valour” on them. Many of these dogs were hand-picked bv the R.S.P.C.A., who did much of the preliminary weed-ing-ftut from the hundreds of recruits who were offered for service, an action which caused some criticism by dog and animal lovers. But there was a good answer. Dogs did a valuable job during World War II in many ways; they saved lives, they carried messages, acted as patrols and guards did their bit in 'helping to win. And what, says the Society, would have been the lot of dogs and all other animals if the Allies had not won World War 11.