Y@H September RSPCA and its origins 27 September 2020

In these 28 weeks of streaming church we have referred to animals several times. Graham spoke of sniffer dogs now being trained to sniff out Covid and that research is progressing. I’ve referred in ‘chit chat’ to the streaming of the Penguin Parade and the Peregrine Falcon nest at 367 Collins Street where the chicks are due to hatch any day now. The ABC has at present a wonderful series ‘ Remastered’ about Australian wild life. On Friday night, thanks to a recommendation from Amanda, we watched ‘My Octopus Teacher’ on Netflix. Thank you Amanda. It’s beautiful. The Bible has many references to animals, and our responsibility towards them. When God told Noah to build the ark, it wasn’t just to save the human race from extinction. He had to also take in animals in pairs. Most of us are familiar with the hymn, All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all. This hymn was published by Cecil Frances Alexander in her Hymns for Children in 1848. Animals, like children, need protection. Sadly, there are many who would hurt them for gain, for example ivory hunters killing elephants for their tusks. Others simply neglect their own pets in their home. As with many vulnerable created beings, it’s often been charities which have first taken steps to make sure they are cared for and that perpetrators of cruelty are brought to justice. One organisation with such a history is the very well known RSPCA. Recently I read that was involved in the founding of this organisation. I knew of his very significant role in the abolition of slavery, but not in the RSPCA. Reverend wanted to create an organisation to promote kindness toward animals. The first meeting was held on Wednesday 16 June 1824 in Old Slaughter’s Coffee House, London. Wilberforce was indeed present as a founding member. The foundation is marked by a plaque on the modern day building at 77–78 St Marin’s Lane. Already in 1824 the Society brought 64 offenders before the court including a Mr Bill Burns. A painting of the trial of Bill Burns, showing Richard Martin, another founding member, with the donkey in an astonished courtroom, leading to the world's first known conviction for animal cruelty, after Burns was found beating his donkey. Y@H September RSPCA and its origins 27 September 2020

The first Society for the Prevention of (SPCA) in Australia was formed in the colony of in 1871. RSPCA Australia believes that animals must be treated humanely. Their manifesto on their website deals with some implications of this belief. I contacted a young friend who works for the RSPCA in Burwood and asked her how Covid had affected them. Of course, like all charities they haven’t been able to hold fundraising events and that is hard. However, ‘our adoption rates have been fantastic. Lots of our pets have found homes during this time’. I think we can all understand why. Dogs are often referred to as ‘man’s best friend’. Some people find cats more compatible with their personality and lifestyle than dogs. For others it’s birds. And so on. So in this strange, strange time it’s not surprising that people living alone, or families with children prevented from meeting up with their friends at school have contacted the RSPCA to ask about adopting an animal which was ‘free to a good home’. Of course, our responsibility towards animals in the 21st century extends well beyond caring for domestic pets and farm animals. Experiments on animals benefit humans, but these experiments must be conducted humanely. Transport of live animals is a contentious issue in Australia and again, as Christians, we should do what we can to ensure that biblical principles are applied. If you type ‘Bible verses on the care of animals’ into Google you will find many references: The book of Proverbs includes the following very contemporary guidelines: Proverbs 12:10 - A righteous man has regard for the life of his animal. Proverbs 27:23 - Know well the condition of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds. So may those of us who have animals to care for, do so with compassion and delight, and may the rest of us support organisations like the RSPCA, knowing that not even one sparrow falls to the ground without God’s knowledge. (Matthew 10:29)

Christine Bradbeer