THE UK'S LARGEST FARM INVESTIGATION
EXPOSING THE HIGH WELFARE MYTH
For 30 years, the RSPCA has lent its trusted name to factory farms through the RSPCA Assured scheme, promoting a misleading image of happy, well-cared-for animals. But the reality is far from this fairytale.
​Our groundbreaking investigation into the RSPCA Assured scheme exposed the hypocrisy of the world-reknowned animal charity's involvement in industrial animal farming, leading to RSPCA president Chris Packham and vice-president Caroline Lucas stepping down from their roles, accusing the RSPCA of 'legitimising cruelty'.
The extensive investigation revealed the grim reality of the RSPCA Assured scheme: immense suffering, widespread cruelty, and countless breaches of regulations.
We joined organisations, advocates, and celebrities to call on the RSPCA to return to its roots and protect all animals by ending the deceptive RSPCA Assured scheme and leading the fight against animal cruelty.
What is the RSPCA Assured scheme?
The RSPCA Assured scheme is a certification program run by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) in the UK. It is designed to promote higher welfare standards for farm animals. Farms, food producers, and food retailers that meet the RSPCA's specific animal welfare standards can be certified under this scheme. Products from these certified farms often carry the RSPCA Assured label, a clear signal to consumers that the animals were raised under conditions that are supposedly more humane than standard farming practices.
Organisations, advocates, and celebrities, including Joanna Lumley, Moby, and Evanna Lynch, came together to call on the RSPCA to take a stand "for all kinds". Find out who signed the open letter here.
RESCUES
On the farms we found animals sick and desperately in need of care. We rescued these individuals, and they are now living free and safe lives in animal sanctuaries. Although we could only rescue a few, every animal trapped in this industry needs help, and deserves to live a full life.
Donate toward the future care of these animals here.
BABS
Daniel and Rose rescued Babs from an intensive egg farm in Kent after finding her in appalling condition. She is now recovering and slowly growing back her feathers and will spend the rest of her days safe from the suffering of the farming industry.
PEPPI AND JADE
Peppi and Jade were rescued from an RSPCA Assured chick farm by Claudia and Orin. The tiny chickens were taken to a sanctuary, given life-saving treatment, and a freedom that all animals deserve - a life where they are cared for, respected, and allowed to grow old.
CHARLIE
Charlie was born on an intensive RSPCA Assured farm and would have soon been killed in a slaughterhouse, but instead Charlie was rescued by Orla and Dan, who saw she needed urgent medical attention for the large growth on her face. Charlie will now live out the rest of her life in sanctuary.
As our groundbreaking investigation broke into the press, George Monbiot slammed the RSPCA Assured scheme in the Guardian:
How does it happen? How does an organisation end up doing the opposite of what it was established to do? This month marks the 200th anniversary of the foundation of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: the world’s oldest animal welfare organisation. I wonder what there is to celebrate.
Despite assurances of humane or higher welfare practices, the reality is that no slaughterhouse operates with compassion for the animals that end their lives there.
Our investigation showed that RSPCA Assured slaughterhouses are like any other - a place where nothing 'kind' happens.
SYSTEMIC ANIMAL CRUELTY
Across the four slaughterhouses we investigated, experts found systemic animal cruelty.
In one slaughterhouse 85% of pigs were stunned incorrectly leaving animals conscious during slaughter, and in another 96% of cows were prodded with an electric goad, a practice banned by the RSPCA, and 46% of cows showed clear signs of panic or escape behaviours.
There was also frequent verbal and physical abuse from workers, and animals watching in terror and panic as other animals were killed or stunned in front of them.​​​​
INHUMANE SLAUGHTER
The scheme not only fails to uphold its own standards but also exposes a harsh truth: no matter how it is framed or regulated, the industrialised process of slaughter inherently prioritises efficiency and profit over the well-being of animals, making cruelty an unavoidable reality.
RSPCA slaughter is no better or ‘more humane’ than any other slaughter. It’s not possible for animals to be treated humanely in a slaughterhouse due to the nature of the process and the conditions under which they operate.
It is clear that improving welfare standards within these systems can only go so far.
RSPCA PRESIDENTS RESIGN
After many 'fruitless meetings', trying to promote change for animals from inside the organisation, RSPCA president Chris Packham and vice-president Caroline Lucas stepped down from their roles, accusing the RSPCA of 'legitimising cruelty'. Their resignations followed the resignation of vice-president and Queen guitarist, Brian May, who called the RSPCA's response to 'damning evidence' of its Assured scheme's failings 'completely inadequate'.
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The presidents called the findings 'unbearable to witness', and the scheme 'an ecological, environmental, social and economic catastrophe'.
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Chris Packham described stepping down as a 'dark day', but said: 'I’ve seen no meaningful change. With the irrefutable evidence of abuse uncovered, I must prioritise my love for animals above all else and step down immediately'.
The RSPCA has the opportunity to take a bold and transformative stance, inspiring other organisations and society at large to reimagine a world where slaughterhouses no longer exist. We want nothing more than to work closely to pursue this mission.
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As the RSPCA celebrates their 200th year anniversary, it’s time to honour their bold founding values of animal protection—not by compromise, but by leading the charge to end animal farming and slaughter once and for all.
Charlie, rescued from an RSPCA Assured farm