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Scottish SPCA accuses RSPCA of stealing in new campaign 6

Fundraising | Celina Ribeiro | 26 Feb 2009

The Scottish SPCA has accused the RSPCA of breaching Institute of Fundraising guidelines and launched a campaign alleging that the latter charity is “stealing” from Scottish animals in need.

A £100,000 web and newspaper advertising campaign has been launched by the SSPCA using the slogan ‘The RSPCA won’t save me’ and claiming that while the RSPCA wants Scottish donors’ money, it is unable to help any animals north of the border.

According to research referred to by the SSPCA, 70 per cent of Scots believe the RSPCA works with animals in Scotland.

SSPCA chief executive Stuart Earley said the RSPCA “intentionally” added to public confusion over its mission in order to increase its income.

Geographical reach hidden in small print

“The RSPCA is in breach of the Institute of Fundraising guidelines it helped draw up which require charities to be explicitly clear about where they work. Occasionally using small print to tell the Scottish public it is registered in England and Wales is in no way explicit,” he said.

“It is impossible to quantify how much we have lost to the RSPCA but any loss is damaging because we receive no government or lottery funding and rely on public support.”

The Scottish charity has called on the RSPCA to be clearer in its advertising, particularly when it cannot be restricted to England and Wales.

“We did not want to have to campaign in this way and very much hope this brings about a change in RSPCA policy,” Earley added.

RSPCA ‘extremely surprised’ by campaign

The RSPCA was not commenting on the campaign, but in a statement said that it was “extremely surprised” by the attack in light of the close working relationship the two organisations have on a “range of issues”.

The charity also said that it “makes every effort to exclude advertising messages reaching Scottish consumers” and redirects Scottish donors to the Scottish SPCA when they make contact.

“The RSPCA does not deliberately advertise in Scotland and goes to great lengths to ensure wherever possible that our adverts are not distributed outside of England and Wales,” it said.

Donors, suggested the RSPCA, may not respond well to the negative tone of the SSPCA’s campaign.

“The British public, whether in Scotland, England, Wales or Northern Ireland expects charities to collaborate and co-operate, and during these difficult economic times people will not look kindly on charities spending time, money and effort attacking each other.

“We want people in Scotland to support the Scottish SPCA, so the RSPCA will be doing whatever we can to resolve this dispute.”

Institute to step in

The Institute of Fundraising has written to both organisations to facilitate a meeting in order to reach an understanding and promote positive messages.

A spokeswoman said that it was in the interests of both charities to resolve the issue. It has refused to comment on the issue of whether the RPSCA was in violation of Institute guidelines for fear it could prejudice the proposed meetings.

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