the RSPCA


Most countries in the world have got organisations to protect and take care of animals, but the first animal protection society was founded in the nineteenth century in England.


The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ( SPCA) was started in 1824 in London. In those days, the SPCA was unusual because mahny people thought it was strange to care about animals. Two years earlier, in 1922, the Houses of Parliament passed a law prohibiting cruelty to cattle, horses and sheep. Because of the new law and the SOCA, people began to chang their ideas about the way they should treat animals. In 1940 Queen Victoria gave her support to the SPCA. She changed the name of the SPCA to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).


Today, there are nearly 200 branches of the society in England and Wales, as well as similar organisations in Scotland, Australia, South Africa and the USA. Every 20 seconds someone contacts the RSPCA with a question about animals. The RSPCA prepares educational material for schools and looks after abused animals. RSPCA inspectors check circuses and zoos to make sure the animals are treated properly. The RSPCA's goal is to improve the lives of animals around the world.



EXERCICES: Answer the questions.


1. Where and when was the first animal protection society started?
The first animal protectoin society started at 1824 in London.

2. Why was the SPCA considered unusual?
Because many people thougth it was strange to care about animals.


3. What made people change their ideas about the way animals were treated?
A new law prohibiting cruelty to casttle, horses and sheeps, and the people change their ideas because the laws are important.


4. Why did Queen Victoria change the name of the SPCA?
Because people began to change their ideas about the way they should treat animals.


5. Name at least two jobs the RSPCA does today.
Inspectors check circuses and zoos to make sure the animals are treated properly