The RSPCA have slammed the Australian government’s annual kangaroo culling as a ‘killing frenzy’.

The government have increased the numbers allowed to be shot by commercial hunters from 5million every year to 7million.  The Farmers’ Association of New South Wales claim a leap from 8million to over 13million in the past 12 months justify the extra Kangaroo culling. The Association also blame the overpopulation causing damage to fences, crops, and depletion of the Outback’s water supply. But with the meat Kangaroo goods now becoming a multimillion dollar industry, animal rights groups see this as an excuse for commercial gain.

It’s not just animal rights groups who disagree with the cull either. 8 Aboriginal elders scaled the fences of the former naval communications post in Canberra where a cull was taking place. Once inside the elders held a smoking ceremony, to ‘claim back their land’. Local Aborigines have been closely involved in the protest against the cull for several weeks.

Ngunnawal tribe spokeswoman Isobel Coe told police -

“If you are going to treat us like trespassers you will have to arrest us and take us to jail. We are claiming our land and that’s what our sacred fire means.”

It is now possible to help fund the work of the RSPCA by using their charity credit card. MBNA will pledge £20 to the RSPCA for each card issued, with a further 25p being donated for every £100 spent.

> > click here to find out more about the work of the WSPA

The RPSCA charity credit card from MBNA is a great way to help the RSPCA animal charity whilst you go about your everyday business. This includes a £20 payment to the RSPCA when you first spend on your card!

Check out the information provided from the RSPCA and MBNA below. Please note the details are correct at time of publication - (07/05/08)

>> Click here to check full details and to sign up for the RSPCA charity credit card

• 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 12 months from the date your account is opened (3% handling fee applies)
• 0% p.a. on card purchases* for 3 months from the date the account is opened
• 15.9% APR typical rate (variable)

Help relieve the suffering of animals. When you first use your card, MBNA will make a payment to RSPCA provided you apply online for your card, and make a further payment every year you continue to use your card. In addition, every time you use your RSPCA Credit Card to make a card purchase, a payment equivalent to 0.25% of the value of the purchase is made to RSPCA. And with great rates, it’s not only the animals we rescue that benefit.

* See summary box for details of how payments to the account will be allocated”

>> Compare charity credit cards