Good news—Spearmint’s petition is now very close to 2,000 signatures! If only Spearmint could know how many are rallying behind her in addition to those working at the RSPCA!
It might feel wrong to question the RSPCA as an organization since they fill an important role protecting innocent animals who have suffered from the actions of humans. There’s no question that there are hard-working individuals on the front lines doing their best to care for and protect the animals they serve, including Spearmint. There are also volunteers answering phones and doing clerical work, and on it goes.
Questioning RSPCA policies is not in any way an attack on those wonderful people! It is a fact, however, that RSPCA leadership has had a troubled past as reported by the media from 2016 - 2018. Here are links to three articles highlighting these issues:
Sally Phillips, one of two trustees who resigned from the RSPCA in 2016, stated: “The failings of Council to properly address its governance role and put in place an effective management regime is adversely affecting the purposes for which the Society exists – animal welfare,” she said.
Later in 2016 a third trustee resigned amid claims the RSPCA was being badly run.
David Holdsworth, deputy chief executive of the Charity Commission, said in 2018: “The RSPCA is a much-loved national institution performing a crucial role in animal protection, with its staff and volunteers undertaking vital work. The public, and the RSPCA’s many members and supporters, need it to succeed and to deliver important benefits for society. They rightly expect that it should be run by its trustees to the highest standards. Unfortunately, that has not been the case and the charity’s governance has fallen short, which has led to people asking legitimate questions about the payout to the former executive.”
What is happening now internally regarding their decision-making of the fate of Spearmint? Why is leadership still not making a public statement that they will consider a sanctuary if she is healthy enough to live happily in one? Let’s face it: Spearmint is a celebrity! Why are they still silent on this issue? In fact they have made no comment on Spearmint for over a week now.
Let's keep this petition going while being grateful for those working in Spearmint's best interest.