Articles from An American Abroad - 'Britishness'

Current discussions about "Britishness" are too often – in our view – framed largely in a context of dispute over issues such as pub closing hours, council rates, or school funding. Clearly public debate on such matters is vital, but surely judgments about innate characteristics of a people deserve a balanced approach, with due consideration given to individual initiatives and work for the common good as well as government policies.

One such programme in the animal welfare field has recently come to our notice. It is called "Pets on Prescription" operated by North Shore Animal League International (Registered charity No. 1084442) headquartered in Colchester. It operates on the premise that the most successful placement of pets results from the cooperation of volunteers and professionals, hence the "prescription". Thus, an interest expressed in providing a home for a pet sets in motion a train of events including an interview, an adoption questionnaire, a canvas of rescue centres for the most appropriate pet, that necessary vaccinations and other veterinary services have been carried out, food and transportation during the re-homing process as well as follow-up visits to ensure a lasting placement.

For a thoughtful analysis of "Britishness" please note that these well planned and thorough services, while engaging the time and effort of volunteers, charity employees and veterinarians, are entirely free to the pet adopter; understandably the charity does invite a donation.

This is, of course, only one example of what is surely characteristically British caring – and animal welfare is only one such field. We would say it outranks some of the quarrels of the moment when it comes to describing "Britishness".

Henry Suhrke, Trustee of NSALI and our American Abroad