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Shall we follow the Danes?

(87 Posts)
Mollygo Mon 04-Aug-25 21:12:07

We often hear how wonderful Denmark is and how we could in some cases follow their example, but really?

A zoo in Denmark has appealed to the public to donate their healthy unwanted pets as part of a unique effort to provide food for its predators.

Aalborg Zoo has asked for donations of live chickens, rabbits, and guinea pigs, which it says are "gently euthanised" by trained staff.

The zoo also accepts donations of live horses - with owners able to benefit from a potential tax break

butterandjam Wed 06-Aug-25 20:34:31

Scribbles

I would like to know more about just how the donated animals will be "gently euthanised". Presumably, the zoo management will not want their carnivores eating meat that's loaded with barbiturates.

Gas, or for larger animals like horses, a captive bolt.

MayBee70 Wed 06-Aug-25 20:35:17

Gillycats

No, the RSPCA do not euthanise animals on a regular basis at all! That’s almost as silly as the OP saying veganism is a doctrine and that we vegans don’t want animals!

I was told that years ago that they do and have been suspicious of them ever since albeit having no proof either way.

butterandjam Wed 06-Aug-25 20:59:44

Gillycats

No, the RSPCA do not euthanise animals on a regular basis at all! That’s almost as silly as the OP saying veganism is a doctrine and that we vegans don’t want animals!

Yes, they do.

<https://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/care/rehabilitation/euthanasia>

Oreo Wed 06-Aug-25 21:14:37

The RSPCA is the worst animal charity for putting unwanted animals to sleep.
I once took a lovely gentle stray cat there and they said bluntly that it would likely not find a home and would be put down.
A small dog once followed DP home and was very clingy with us, we rang round all the vets and put up notices locally but nobody claimed him so after a couple of weeks asked the RSPCA if they would find him a home.They said much the same to DP about him, that if he wasn’t a puppy ( he wasn’t) because of the huge number of animals needing rehoming he would likely be PTS.
We kept him.

icanhandthemback Wed 06-Aug-25 22:15:06

Gillycats

No, the RSPCA do not euthanise animals on a regular basis at all! That’s almost as silly as the OP saying veganism is a doctrine and that we vegans don’t want animals!

Sorry Gillycats but sadly they do and the public are just unaware. The RSPCA avoid acting as often as possible in the rescuing of animals even when people ring up to say that a dog has been abandoned in a home without food and water. I see their inaction all the time and that is why I will involve myself more in smaller rescue charities. The RSPCA is no longer the "rescue" charity they used to be.
As for Vegans not wanting animals, I don't believe that but the reality is that if people stop using animals for food, nobody will keep them because they are too expensive to keep as pets.

Granmarderby10 Wed 06-Aug-25 22:52:12

icanhandthemback I can second that.In our tiny cul de sac for the past week, 5 separate households have been jointly looking after a large dog after the mentally unstable owner just upped and left her with no food in the house.
They all clubbed together and bought essentials, new harness and toys.
Repeated calls to the RSPCA failed to elicit any action and all of the animal rescue centres in and around this area were full too or had only one or two spaces reserved for more dire emergencies.
Thankfully someone suitable has stepped up and she will be happy now.

Gillycats Wed 06-Aug-25 23:03:41

The RSPCA only euthanise if a vet says so. Injured wildlife do not have good outcomes in captivity so they are often PTS. That happens with all reputable wildlife rescues. Don’t believe everything the Daily Mail says , nor base it on one experience. I’ve been involved in animal welfare for 36 years so I do know what I’m talking about. It’s also really disingenuous to say such awful things when thousands of RSPCA staff and volunteers work very hard for the animals. They are a charity and cannot be everywhere 24/7. Blame the abusers! Animals are bred specifically for food so we wouldn’t have thousands of farm animals needing care. They are literally bred to be slaughtered. And badly at that. Pigs suffer really badly, they’re lowered into a gas chamber. It’s a slow painful death (especially if it’s not Farm Assured). I might add that dogs are killed every day in this country because there is nowhere for them to go. 7 days in pounds and that’s it for them. I’d hope all those criticising are volunteers for rescues, eg fosterers, fundraisers etc. Not people that think that someone else should be responsible for unwanted animals and actually don’t do anything to help other than pass the problem on to others.

Granmarderby10 Thu 07-Aug-25 07:18:07

It is laughable though, that idea that if people stopped eating meat there would be cows, sheep and pigs and chickens roaming the towns and cities in packs.
They are bred in the first place because people eat them,🤦‍♀️

icanhandthemback Thu 07-Aug-25 09:27:17

Yes, Gillycat, I volunteer for 2 dog rescue charities and have done for years. I don't doubt that there are thousands of staff and volunteers who are hard working and well meaning but the fact remains that the RSPCA have failed to rescue many animals I have known about even though they are not being cared for and would starve to death if kindly neighbours/pet lovers didn't step in. In the past, despite my record for caring for animals, suitable accommodation, fenced garden, at home most days, etc, I have applied to rescue from the RSPCA and not received any acknowledgment at all from our local centre.

I don't blame the workers, I blame the top management and policies which decide where they use their funds.

Incidentally, I don't read the Daily Mail!

David49 Thu 07-Aug-25 10:40:11

I’m not going to comment on the way UK charities treat rescue animals Im sure they do their best.
I am going to say the import of rescue animals, dog, donkeys or whatever should be banned, we have enoug( of our own problems.

icanhandthemback Fri 08-Aug-25 00:22:36

I agree, David49. There have been concerns that some of these animals may bring in diseases which are not part of the British disease landscape. There are also a lot of behavioural issues with these animals who have led a very different life before they get here.