The latest RSPCA online advertising made me laugh as well as realise what a serious message animal neglect can be at this time of year (you might have to refresh once or twice to see both versions). But then, that's the point!
It's not easy for charity marketers to highlight miserable messages in the current climate. It's perhaps even harder for animal charities given societal priorities to support human tragedy foremost. Or so we're told.
I will be very interested to see the published report and accounts from the major health, animal and campaigning charities in 2009. I'm expecting a few surprises and I have a nagging feeling that the big boys won't have suffered in the current recession quite as much as was predicted. And certainly not as much at the poor folks at Woolies! So does that mean smaller charities will suffer instead?
We shall just have to wait and see if that old adage about us Brits caring more for the kittens and puppies than for humanitarian issues holds true.
