RSPCA to carry new strapline after Scottish SPCA dispute

Fundraising | Celina Ribeiro | 15 Dec 2009

RSPCA adverts will now feature explanation that the charity does not operate in Scotland as part of a memorandum of understanding struck between it and the Scottish SPCA.

The two charities became bogged down in battle earlier this year after the Scottish SPCA released a series of advertisements claiming that the RSPCA was stealing donations from Scottish animals, but in a statement released by both charities today, the Scottish SPCA chief executive Stuart Earley said that “there have been issues between the two charities for generations”.

Both charities said that the memorandum was a major step forwards for animal welfare and thanked the Institute of Fundraising Scotland for helping mediate the dispute.

In addition to having RSPCA ads carry the strapline ‘the RSPCA helps animals in England and Wales’, the RSPCA will redirect any legacies it receives made out to ’the Scottish RSPCA’ or ‘RSPCA Scotland’ to the Scottish charity.

Earley said "This agreement is in line with guidelines issued by the Institute of Fundraising which state that charities should be explicitly clear about where they work.

"We believe it is of fundamental importance that charitable donors are fully aware not only how but also where their donations will be used so an informed choice can be made.”

RSPCA chief executive Mark Watts said all parties had taken a “positive attitude” into discussions, but both parties admitted there could be ‘teething problems’ with the new agreement in the future.

"The RSPCA does its best to avoid advertising in Scotland and we are all aware of the pitfalls and difficulties that sometimes arise from fundraising, but it is very clear that everyone involved in this agreement is committed to making it work," said Watts.

Directory: Institute of Fundraising | Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA)

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