RSPCA Memorandum of Understanding

In this section you can find out more about the Memorandum of Understanding between the BVA and the RSPCA

Current activity

The MoU between the BVA and the RSPCA covers the emergency treatment of sick or injured wildlife and stray animals and it establishes an agreement between the RSPCA and BVA on the level of RSPCA contribution to the initial emergency treatment (IET) carried out by vets on these animals.

The BVA will soon resume negotiations on members’ behalf with the RSPCA for a flat rate contribution to the initial emergency treatment (IET) that vets carry out on sick or injured wildlife and stray animals.

We are asking all veterinary practices across England and Wales to help us by completing a survey to show a snapshot of the true costs of handling emergency cases and to give an indication of the level of pro bono work that is being done in veterinary practices. The survey can be accessed here.

Background

The Memorandum of Understanding is an agreement between the BVA and the RSPCA.
The purpose of the Memorandum is to ensure that appropriate professional treatment is available for all injured or sick animal by clarifying arrangements between vets in private practices and the RSPCA.

The Memorandum covers matters such as

neutering and vaccination
clinics and welfare assessments
emergency and accident cases for wild animals or domestic animals where the owner is unknown
voucher schemes

The Current Memorandum

It is recognised that the Memorandum in its current form is not fit for purpose and lacks clarity.
Following feedback from members, BVA is reviewing the Memorandum in detail with the help of the Members’ Services Group and in close liaison with the RSPCA’s CVO Alastair MacMillan.

One of the key areas of difficulty within the Memorandum is the arrangement of payment for emergency call outs and fees for initial emergency treatment (IET).

These issues are being addressed as part of the review and in the meantime BVA and RSPCA have negotiated an interim arrangement whereby the maximum pay-out available for out-of- hours service is £120, including £60 for treatment and £60 for the call-out. For in-hours Initial Emergency Treatment (stray dogs and small wildlife exception) the NCC will work with the veterinary practitioner to contribute up to a maximum of £60 plus VAT, including emergency care and clinical assessment.

RSPCA use of Pentobarbitone sodium (PBS)

The RSPCA made a decision on September 20th to change its policy and immediately stopped any non veterinary staff from carrying or using PBS. This was done as a precautionary measure and as part of a review of their euthanasia procedures, whilst the RSPCA seeks to clarify the legal position on the use of this controlled drug.

This decision mainly impacts on the work of the RSPCA inspectorate who used PBS to euthanise animals in the field. The new procedures mean that staff will, when called out to attend a severely sick or injured animal have two options:

To use another approved and appropriate method of euthanasia, dependent on the type and size of the animal
To contact the nearest practice and then by agreement either transport the animal to the vet or for the vet to attend the scene

The effect may be an increase in the numbers of animals, particularly wildlife, that will be presented at veterinary practices and in the out of hours service required. It is difficult to accurately assess this increase, as it will be dependent on geography and other considerations.

Further information will be provided once a final decision has been made in the autumn.

The RSPCA’s main concern is to minimise suffering. They recognise that this interim decision may impact on vets and veterinary practices and will endeavour to minimise this as much as possible. They remain immensely grateful for the assistance given by the profession to the RSPCA.