RSPCA inspector

Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) inspectors enforce laws relating to the care, transportation and general welfare of pets, livestock and other animals. Inspectors rescue injured and stranded animals, and respond to complaints of cruelty or neglect. They also inspect places such as farms, riding stables, pet shops and boarding kennels. In Scotland, the equivalent career is Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) inspector.

Also known as:

• Animal welfare inspector
• SSPCA Inspector

Work activities

A large part of an RSPCA inspector’s work involves responding to complaints of cruelty or neglect. Inspectors go to the premises at the centre of the complaint and tactfully interview the owner. They ask questions, observing the animals and the conditions they are living in, to establish the truth of the complaint.

They can deal with most of the cases through talking to the owner and giving them advice, to improve the way they care for their animals. Sometimes, the inspector will give the owner an advice notice. This tells the owner that they have to change something about the way they are treating the animal. Although there are acts of abuse, where the owner’s intention is to cause suffering to the animal, most cases turn out to be neglect, sometimes through ignorance. For this reason, inspectors prefer first to educate people and offer them advice, to improve the way they care for their animals. They will give first aid training or advice on local veterinary surgeries or clinics.

Where the owner has criminally mistreated an animal, RSPCA inspectors must enforce the law and collect evidence for a court case. They take photographs and video evidence, interview suspects, gather evidence from vets, the police or other witnesses, and talk to local authority representatives who are involved in the case. Inspectors have to keep careful notes, using these to build up a detailed case file. If the case goes to court, RSPCA inspectors attend to give evidence.

RSPCA inspectors also rescue injured or stranded animals. This part of the work can involve them in situations such as swimming or rowing out into a lake to free a trapped bird, rescuing animals from fast-flowing flood water, or climbing up a tree or steep hillside. Inspectors make regular checks on premises that keep animals, such as farms, riding stables, pet shops and boarding kennels. They could also be going out to abattoirs, livestock markets, circuses and zoos. Throughout their work, RSPCA inspectors deal with a wide variety of people, including the police, trading standards officers and environmental health practitioners, farmers and vets. Inspectors are usually responsible for a local area or “patch”. These can include both rural and urban areas. Inspectors have a uniform. They sometimes need to wear protective clothing and equipment.

Personal qualities and skills

To be an RSPCA inspector, you’ll need:

• Compassion for animals.
• Emotional strength to deal with cases of cruelty and neglect. You must be prepared to destroy sick animals when necessary.
• Initiative and decision-making skills.
• The ability to think quickly in an emergency or heated situation.
• Verbal communication skills to deal with people, including in confrontational situations.
• The ability to keep accurate notes and to write reports.
• To be tactful and approachable.
• Firmness to enforce the law.
• Practical skills to handle and control animals, and use technical equipment.
• Physical fitness; the work can be active and strenuous.

As part of the entry requirements, you must have a full driving licence and be able to swim 50 metres fully clothed within 2.5 minutes.

Pay and opportunities

The pay rates given are approximate.  RSPCA inspectors earn in the range of £19,250 - £30,000.

RSPCA inspectors typically work a 38-40-hour week. However, irregular hours and availability for call-out at weekends and at night is required.

The RSPCA employs inspectors. Most RSPCA inspectors work from home in towns, cities and rural areas throughout England and Wales. Some senior and specialist inspectors work at the RSPCA headquarters in Sussex.

What’s happening in this work area?

Competition for RSPCA training places is strong, as this area of work attracts many people who want to work with animals.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Please see the RSPCA website for information on how to apply for training.

Entry routes and training

To apply for a trainee RSPCA inspector post, you must:

• Have five GCSEs (9-4) or equivalent.
• Be able to swim 50 metres fully clothed within 2.5 minutes.
• Have animal handling experience.
• Have a full, valid driving licence.

It’s also desirable to have gained relevant knowledge and skills through work experience with animals. For more information on the application process, please see the RSPCA website.

Successful candidates take a series of training modules, usually within 12 months. They also have periods of practical, supervised training in real-life situations. The technical and legal training modules take place at the RSPCA’s headquarters in Horsham, Sussex. You will study areas such as animal welfare laws, basic veterinary skills and animal-handling techniques, court work and investigation skills.

There is the possibility of promotion to the rank of chief inspector and above. You could then enter one of a number of specialist roles, for example, in prosecutions or training. At a higher level, superintendents are responsible for the work of inspectors in each of the five RSPCA regions.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act: This job is an exception to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This means that you must supply information to an employer about any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings, if they ask you to. This is different from other careers, where you only have to reveal information on unspent convictions if you are asked to.

Qualifications

Applicants must have 5 GCSEs (9-4) or equivalent.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Some entrants have gained skills and knowledge through relevant experience, either paid or unpaid, with animals, for example, in medical or care work. You must have animal handling experience.

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