RSPCA Reform Group

The '''Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) Reform Group''' was founded in 1970 by members of the British [[RSPCA]] who were frustrated by the organization's inability, as they saw it, to deal effectively with the issues raised by [[factory farming]], [[animal testing]], and [[hunting]]. The group was particularly concerned that pro-hunting members were attempting to prevent the society from expressing opposition to [[bloodsport]]s; several of them had said they would lobby to have the RSPCA's charitable status removed if it campaigned against hunting.<ref>Ryder, Richard Dudley. ''Animal Revolution: Changing Attitudes Toward Speciesism''. Berg, 2000, p. 172ff.</ref>

The '''Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) Reform Group''' was founded in 1970 by members of the British [[RSPCA]] who were frustrated by the organization's inability, as they saw it, to deal effectively with the issues raised by [[factory farming]], [[animal testing]], and [[hunting]]. The group was particularly concerned that pro-hunting members were attempting to prevent the society from expressing opposition to [[bloodsport]]s; several of them had said they would lobby to have the RSPCA's charitable status removed if it campaigned against hunting.<ref>Ryder, Richard Dudley. ''Animal Revolution: Changing Attitudes Toward Speciesism''. Berg, 2000, p. 172ff.</ref>

The Reform Group was led by [[Brian Seager]], John Bryant, and [[Stanley Cover]], and the aim was to secure the election to the 46-member RSPCA Council of Bryant, Seager, and other supporters of the group's more radical agenda, including [[Andrew Linzey]], the Oxford theologian, and [[Richard D. Ryder]], the Oxford psychologist who coined the term [[speciesism]].<ref name=Ryder>Ryder, Richard. 2009. "Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) Reform Group"] in Marc Bekoff (ed.). ''Encyclopedia of Animal Rights and Animal Welfare''. Greenwood, pp. 307–308.</ref>

The Reform Group was led by [[Brian Seager]], John Bryant, and [[Stanley Cover]], and the aim was to secure the election to the 46-member RSPCA Council of Seager, Bryant, and other supporters of the group's more radical agenda, including [[Andrew Linzey]], the Oxford theologian, and [[Richard D. Ryder]], the Oxford psychologist who coined the term [[speciesism]].<ref name=Ryder>Ryder, Richard. 2009. "Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) Reform Group"] in Marc Bekoff (ed.). ''Encyclopedia of Animal Rights and Animal Welfare''. Greenwood, pp. 307–308.</ref>

Ryder writes that, from then until 1978, the Reform Group succeeded in changing the RSPCA from an organization that had come to focus mostly on companion animals – despite its own radical 19th-century roots – to one that opposed bloodsports, developed comprehensive animal welfare policies, and focused more on farming, animal testing, and wildlife. Ryder became vice-chairman of the RSPCA Council in 1976, then chairman from 1977 to 1979.<ref name=Ryder/>

Ryder writes that, from then until 1978, the Reform Group succeeded in changing the RSPCA from an organization that had come to focus mostly on companion animals – despite its own radical 19th-century roots – to one that opposed bloodsports, developed comprehensive animal welfare policies, and focused more on farming, animal testing, and wildlife. Ryder became vice-chairman of the RSPCA Council in 1976, then chairman from 1977 to 1979.<ref name=Ryder/>