Radical Changes to USPCA

‘The Way Ahead.’

This Charity was founded in 1836 with two fundamental objectives ‘The Prevention of Cruelty and The Relief of Suffering’ and these objectives remain the driving force behind our current operations.

The Charity has provided kennelling facilities for dogs seized by the Dog Warden Services of several local authorities; however, this provision is being scaled down, a result of changing circumstances.

Straying animals are lifted by dog wardens using The Dogs Order (NI) 1983, legislation intended to control a huge social problem, a law that takes no account of animal welfare. Thousands of dogs are lifted under its provisions each year. A few are reclaimed, the vast majority are unwanted and many are unsuitable for re-homing. These animals are destroyed in a cull that heaps shame on the Province. This Charity’s association with implementation of the Dogs Order causes it serious unease and the changing circumstances are allowing us to move away from involvement and redirect our resources to the ever present problem of animal cruelty.
The RSPCA our counterpart in England & Wales is the largest and most respected animal welfare charity in the UK. Up to now they have operated an ‘open door’ policy by taking in the thousands healthy unwanted animals arriving at their gates. However, this increasing drain on resources has caused the Charity to remove its welcome mat and it will no longer take in healthy unwanted animals. Like ourselves the RSPCA prefers to direct their resources into ongoing investigations into abuse and cruelty. The USPCA adopted this policy several years ago. It is our view funds that are donated to the Charity are intended for the relief of suffering and are not to be expended on a widespread social problem that will not be solved without radical thinking on the part of Government.

RPA and its impact
The implementation of the Review of Public Administration (RPA) will impact on all 26 existing Councils. The stated reason for RPA is to improve efficiency and cut costs by amalgamating councils and services. It has been made clear to us that Councils are already looking to the future and have identified kennelling arrangements as an area where amalgamation will bring about savings. On 4th November 2009 Belfast City Council Environmental Services Committee considered a plan that recommended combining their kennelling services with those of Carrickfergus Borough; a proposal that, according to the 4 page report, would save Belfast some £37,000 per year; four pages of text and projections that never uses the phrase ‘animal welfare’ in its entirety. The Belfast City Council contract with USPCA due to expire in March 2010 was not renewed and the move from Carryduff Kennels to Carrickfergus took place on 1 April. The USPCA cannot afford to wait until RPA is upon us to determine our future direction and the Carryduff Kennelling facility will close in September 2010.

 

 

Benvarden
Coleraine Council Kennelling Contract was recently due for renegotiation. The terms of the USPCA’s renewal offer were rejected and a decision was taken to place the Boroughs abandoned / stray animals with a private contractor. The offer made by this Charity did not increase kennelling fees and involved minimal changes to the service provided. The USPCA’s Shelter Manager at Benvarden, Louise Neill, remains on the site and operates ‘BARK’ (Benvarden Animal Rescue Kennels ) an independent rescue and re-homing facility for companion animals. The USPCA wish Louise every success in her work and this Charity will assist BARK where possible.

 

 

Welfare of Animals Bill
The Minister of Agriculture, Michelle Gildernew MP MLA has promised a new Welfare of Animals Act within the lifetime of the present assembly. By May 2011 the loopholes that riddle the 1972 legislation will be closed. The requirement for an animal to suffer before action can be taken will be removed and owners held responsible for the welfare and behaviour of their animals. Responsibility for its implementation remains shrouded in uncertainty. The USPCA will ensure the Statutory Agencies charged with investigation and enforcement will do so in the interests of the animals.