For The Love Of Animals

Polly Pullar teams up with SSPCA inspector Louise Seddon on a round of sometimes harrowing visits

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SCOTLAND’S animal welfare charity, the Scottish Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals has come a long way since its inception in 1839 with the remit of safeguarding badly treated draught horses in the urban environment.

Since then it has burgeoned into our most important animal welfare organisation with a vital role to play in a society that struggles with the most basic needs of animals great and small, from wildlife to farm livestock and domestic pets.

It’s a dreich autumnal day – sodden leaves tumbling down, the sky pregnant with clouds. I am on the road with Scottish SPCA Inspector Louise Seddon, whose husband Colin is the manager of the society’s state-of-the-art wildlife rescue centre at Fishcross, Clackmannanshire.

“It’s fair to say I have always been very keen on animals and since childhood, have been aware of the need to care properly for them at all times. I have been doing this job now for 10 years and my aim is to ensure the best possible outcome as swiftly and as efficiently as possible. Sadly, that’s not always what happens.”

Before moving to Scotland, Louise was a solicitor dealing with prosecutions for the RSPCA in England so she is no stranger to the horrors of animal welfare issues. “After many years in that role I really felt I wanted to do something more directly to make a difference.”

Her van is laden with equipment; travel boxes for cats, dogs, rabbits other small mammals or reptiles, thick gloves for dealing with biters, plastic gloves, dog graspers, boots and wet weather clothing, amid folders laden with information relating to cases and the law, and reams of contact numbers.

The advent of smartphones with sat nav enables inspectors to dispense with maps and make and receive hands-free calls as they journey round the country.

As usual, Louise’s list for the day is long.