She said: “Having been involved with the Huddersfield RSPCA for nearly 17 years, I have always had the support and assistance of the local committee. When you work for the RSPCA you do see some awful things but, as a committee, we have also had a lot of fun along the way.”
Fellow RSPCA members attribute the successful record of dog neutering in Huddersfield to Jane. She was also responsible for setting up the local cat fostering/rehoming scheme in Huddersfield - now one of the most successful in the country.
Jane said: “Over the years we have taken in hundreds and hundreds of cats and kittens and are always grateful to our team of cat fosterers who look after the animals until we find them a new home. Nowadays it is a full time job and we have our very own cat re-homing co-ordinator Christine Hirst.
“The problem of stray cats has changed over the years. When I started there were so many abandoned cats and kittens.
In more recent times we started the free cat neutering scheme for people on benefits and over time have sent out some 4,200 vouchers. There has been a 90% take-up.
“When we do get kittens to re-home, everyone wants a kitten. The problem is often finding a home for the adult cats. Unfortunately today we live in a throwaway society and this appears to apply to pets as well when people get tired of them.
It is very challenging work and the RSPCA committee is indebted to its team of fosterers and also the home checkers who work tirelessly for us.’’
Huddersfield RSPCA works with local vets to promote both neutering and microchipping of animals to cut down on the number of kittens and to enable owners to find their cats or dogs, via microchipping, if they go missing. Today the local RSPCA also runs a successful rabbit re-homing scheme.
When Jane received her surprise award, she became only the second member of Huddersfield RSPCA to ever get the Bronze Medal. It had previously been awarded to Erlys Edwards, another tireless charity worker. This year local treasurer John Martin has also received the Silver Badge, awarded to committee members after 15 years service.
The RSPCA was started round a table at a London coffee house in 1824 as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. It was to become the first national animal protection society in the world.
One of the 22 founders was Richard Martin MP, known as “Humanity Dick” who two years earlier had piloted through parliament the first anti-cruelty bill giving cattle, horses and sheep a degree of protection.
At that time, compassion for animals was regarded as bizarre. The 181 convictions for cruelty that the society achieved during 1832 (the first year such figures were recorded in its annual report) had a telling impact on public opinion. By 1840 the society’s work was held in such high regard that Queen Victoria gave permission for it to add “Royal” to its title.
In the early days it only operated in the capital but increasing fame and donations spread the society throughout the country. Today the RSPCA is one of the largest and best-known charities in the world. It receives no government funding for its £82m annual running costs.
Huddersfield RSPCA is currently celebrating its 125th anniversary - making it one of the oldest branches in the country. One of its first jobs was to try to combat the problem of bull-baiting, dog-fighting and the poor treatment of horses.
Today the local RSPCA works in a very different world - rehoming companion animals, organising fundraising events and holding annual dog and horse shows in Greenhead Park. It also has a fundraising shop in Trinity Street, Huddersfield.
The local branch is run by a committee (currently numbering nine and all of whom are volunteers) who are known as charity Trustees and have responsibility for the branch and its property and funds.
It works together with the Halifax Branch of the RSPCA with regard to dog re-homing and over the years has established a good relationship with the neighbouring branch. Various local volunteers regularly go out to talk to groups such as rainbows, cubs, scouts, guides and school clubs to spread the word about the RSPCA.
However, members don’t restrict such talks to the younger generation and are happy to visit all types of groups and organisations to make people more aware of the work of the RSPCA.
Some five years ago, with the encouragement of the Revd. Catherine Ogle, the Vicar at Huddersfield Parish Church, the RSPCA held an annual Animal Blessing Service.
This is a service with a difference as animals are welcomed into the church and that has certainly proved to be entertaining. Whilst the service will not be held this year, it is hoped that it will take place in 2007.
To help promote the local branch and its need for volunteers, a Volunteer Evening is being held on Thursday October 12 in the Reception Room of the Town Hall. Starting at 7.00 p.m. the RSPCA hopes to encourage people to come along and find out how they can help and for them to say in what areas they are particularly interested.
Committee members will be on hand to give further information about the various needs of the Branch from cat/rabbit fostering and re-homing, to involvement with fund-raising activities. Volunteering is a way of making new friends and discovering talents people may not be aware they possess.
To find out more about the work of Huddersfield RSPCA, take a look at the website www.rspca-huddersfield.org.uk which also includes contact details.
Published Autumn 2006. All information correct at time of print
For our Autumn issue, the `Around Town Meets’ article features Huddersfield RSPCA, a branch currently marking its 125th anniversary.
