The world’s oldest animal charity is the UK’s Royal Society for the Protection of Animals. The SPCA was established in London in 1824 and was given its Royal approval in 1840, thus becoming the RSPCA. Its headquarters are in Horsham, West Sussex, UK.

The RSPCA is also the world’s largest animal charity, with international links all over the world. Their original aim was to change Victorian attitudes to animal welfare, however now, in addition to this, they also investigate and report animal cruelty.
The establishment of the RSPCA spurred the creation of a similar organisation for the protection of children, the RSPCC.