Our club meeting of 15th September met as usual at Anstruther Golf Club, with a meal in The Rockies restaurant. Business covered the upcoming golf competition on 25th September and the ‘Casino Night’ planned for 14th November in the Community Hall, Crail.

Speaker for the evening was Claire, based in Kirkcaldy and representing the SSPCA. We learned much about this leading Scottish animal welfare charity. Now protecting, treating and caring for any kind of animal, the charity was founded in 1839, when its major work was with horses and donkeys - very much the essential for travel and for work in those times.

Now costing £63,000 per day to run it operates 7 days a week and 365 days a year. We learned of the work of Animal Rescue Officers, Inspectors, Animal Care Assistants and Special Investigation teams. These latter currently involved with puppy farms and puppy smuggling.

It was particularly interesting to hear of the range of work undertaken, with community vets and vet nurses and a wild life hospital mentioned. On the more saddening side was the campaign work undertaken to highlight and abolish malpractice in animal welfare.

This was altogether an interesting and enlightening illustrated talk, admirably presented by Claire. Following many questions a vote of thanks was proposed by Ian Brunton.