NATIONAL COUNCIL OF SPCA'S NEWSLETTER

E-NEWSLETTER 18 FEBRUARY 2010 EDUCATION It is heartening that the N SPCA is receiving requests from outside the SPCA movement for copies of our worksheets. This is a pleasing development as other organisations working in schools can also promote the welfare of animals. One example is the AVPFS (Alternatives to Violence Project Free State) with whom we have just met. They have access to all Free State high schools and would like to utilise our materials. We were also very gratified to receive a very generous donation of R9 000 recently from the Interact Club of Roedean School, representing an enormous amount of effort and commitment bearing in mind that three other Non Governmental Organisations received the same. Well done Roedean Interact.   TWITTER Are you following us on Twitter yet? If not, please consider linking up with us. We won't overload you with irrelevant information and you will know what we are doing every day - go to http://twitter.com/NSPCA_SA.   RESEARCH ETHICS UNIT According to the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics, it is: - Inspired by the work of ethicists and philosophers who have pioneered new perspectives on animals; Informed by scientific work indicating that animals are sentient and possess complex systems of awareness; Seeking to relate these insights to how we treat animals today; Questioning the 'old view' of animals as simply things, machines, tools, commodities, or resources, put here for our use, and Holding that all sentient beings have intrinsic value and should be treated with respect. "Ask the experimenters why they experiment on animals, and the answer is: "Because the animals are like us." Ask the experimenters why it is morally okay to experiment on animals, and the answer is: "Because the animals are not like us." Animal experimentation rests on a logical contradiction. ~ Charles R. Magel   WILDLIFE UNIT Every year millions of Rands are spent on curios, décor and fashion items made of wild animal products. It is not only the overseas tourist who buys these products but also the local market. The market even extends to cultural and traditional supplies with bits and pieces of animals being sold in places from exclusive boutiques to street-side vendors. It is amazing how many people don't consider that they or their homes are adorned with parts of dead animals and accept that these pieces are just decoration, almost factory made. Little thought is given to the previous life of the animal. With the advent of the FIFA World Cup and a dramatic increase in the number of tourists about to visit our country one wonders how many more animals will have to lose their feathers and quills. The Wildlife Unit appeals to readers to act thoughtfully and ensure that you are not responsible for the suffering of animals because you purchased the trinkets or added porcupine quills for your African themed table setting. "The earth has music for those who will listen."   FARM ANIMAL UNIT Personnel from the NSPCA's Farm Animal Unit had a positive meeting with GDARD (Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development) regarding the lack of welfare taught to the officials in teaching and mentorship positions. This will hopefully lead to the development and subsequent inclusion of "welfare" as a specific subject in their training programme. An additional significant item covered in this meeting was the inclusion of the SPCA at grass roots level for the emerging farming projects.   PRO-ACTIVE AND REACTIVE WORK It may appear to be a case of being in the right place at the right time but we see the moral as being "out there" to help animals - including in remote areas. An inspector responding to a call in the Amersfoort area regarding a horse with an injury to its leg came upon another case: - a stray horse with such severe injuries that we had to put her to sleep to end her suffering. Sometimes we are sent to areas for good reason.   SALEYARDS Readers will share our frustration on the issue of saleyards where animals are traded. In terms of basic welfare standards and minimum legal requirements, backward steps seem to be the norm. To give an example, we are currently finding that fundamentals such as provision of water and using loading ramps (that are there for use) have become things of the past. We are quite aghast and taken aback by this. Apart from the legal requirements, is it really so much to ask from a moral standpoint to provide these animals with water? After all it is these same animals that are providing these auctioneers and farmers with their income! The Farm Animal Unit advises that we have exhausted all avenues trying to resolve this issue in an amicable manner. We shall now issue one warning to give them an opportunity to conform to legal standards, failing which we will prosecute. NEWS FROM THE ADVERTISING STANDARDS AUTHORITY The N SPCA keeps abreast of trends and developments in advertising. We note an interesting case at the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) relating to a print advertisement featured in SAA's (South African Airways) in-flight magazine. Promoting hunting trips, it showed photographs of killed animals including elephant and buffalo plus an image of two dead lions with pictures of their hunters standing next to them. The wording, "Pride in the quality of our game" appeared below. It is pertinent that the ASA took the publication itself to task not only the advertiser. Attorneys acted on behalf of SAA stating that no advertising regulation had been contravened. Yet the SAA requested its client to use a different advertisement and confirmed that the advertisement complained of will not be used again. The Advertising Standards Authority stated that " The undertaking is therefore accepted on condition that the advertising is withdrawn in its current format and is not used again in future." The moral of the story is not to be afraid of raising concerns with the appropriate authority. The N SPCA experience over the years has been that the Advertising Standards Authority is fair, thorough and respected. Interesting too that in this instance the publication itself was taken to task which may create greater caution and more responsibility in future when advertisements are accepted.   "REALITY" TELEVISION SERIES Late last week a media statement was placed on www.nspca.co.za headed "Reality TV - Precedent Set" which related to ITV being fined in an Australian Court for the killing of a rat in the "reality" series I'M A CELEBRITY . GET ME OUT OF HERE.   SPONSORSHIP MADE EASY Individuals often take part in sporting events or fun challenges and at the same time benefit charity. We are pleased to announce that the N SPCA is registered with www.backabuddy.co.za and www.doit4charity.co.za which makes the whole process easy. The individual can direct potential donors to either of these web sites and money can be paid in: - including by credit card. Please pass on the message. Even if events are small, it all adds up and helps animals. Until next time With kind regards Chris Kuch