Spotlight on Head of Farm Animals, Dr Marc Cooper: 20 years of service

When did you join the RSPCA and in what capacity? Has your role changed since you started?

I eventually started at the RSPCA on 1st April 2004. I say eventually because it took me three applications to be accepted. I first applied in 1997 after completing my BSc. Being unsuccessful, I contacted the RSPCA for feedback. They mentioned they had received a large number of applications and that the applicants shortlisted had higher level degrees, such as an MSc or PhD, so advised me to undertake additional studies. I completed an MSc and reapplied in 1999. Again, being unsuccessful, I contacted the RSPCA for feedback and was told much the same as before, including that the successful candidate had a PhD. Just over three years later, after completing a PhD in animal welfare, I applied for a third time. This time, I was successful. I live by the motto that persistence beats resistance! 

My first role was as a Scientific Officer within the Farm Animals Department where I worked on poultry welfare issues. Over the last 20 years, I have been fortunate enough to be promoted, and have fulfilled the roles of Senior Scientific Officer, Senior Scientific Manager, Scientific and Technical Section Manager and then to my current role as Head of Farm Animals in 2016. 

What has kept you at the RSPCA for all these years?

A few reasons: firstly, my personal values match those of the RSPCA. I believe it’s the ultimate destination for anyone who wants to make a meaningful and tangible difference to the lives of animals. It's where my passion meets purpose. Also, although my work focuses on farmed animals specifically, I care deeply about all animals and like being part of an organisation that is involved in helping all animal groups: farmed, wild, companion and those used in research. I also feel a strong sense of belonging at the RSPCA, and part of a strong, dedicated movement that has a rich history of providing better protection to animals. I also align with the RSPCA’s balanced, pragmatic positioning. The diversity of the work, and the fact there’s so much to do, has also been key in keeping me engaged, motivated and fulfilled. The 20 years have gone very quickly. 

What have been your favourite moments working here?

I’m fortunate enough to have had many, but there are a few that stand out. One was developing the RSPCA’s meat chicken standards to introduce natural daylight into chicken houses and requiring the use of slower-growing, higher welfare breeds. These were very challenging to implement, as there was heavy resistance from the meat chicken industry.  However, these developments have driven widespread change for these animals both nationally and internationally. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that the work you do can create such an impact. An initiative I started back in 2012 has also recently come to fruition where it has been possible to challenge the Government regarding the use of fast-growing meat chicken breeds.

I was also involved in a project which, over a five-year period, improved the welfare of farmed ostriches in South Africa. Another project, but in Southeastern Africa, made a huge difference to the slaughter of animals there. That project was perhaps the most challenging for me personally, as I witnessed some of the worst treatment of animals I have ever seen. This was not because people were being deliberately cruel, but simply because there was a lack of understanding regarding animal welfare and also a lack of resources to slaughter animals humanely. This was a difficult period, but resulted in impactful improvements that, in terms of degree of change, have not really been matched in other areas of my work.

Anyway, I could go on but, because of the RSPCA, I’ve been fortunate to be involved in some high-impact changes that have provided many happy career moments and memories. 

Do you have any idea of how many animals you’ve helped through your work at the RSPCA?

Working for farmed animals means the number of animals affected can be very high. In the UK alone we rear around 1.3 billion animals every year. Over the 20-year period the work I have been involved in has probably impacted the lives of hundreds of millions of animals because of the huge scale of the farming industry. 

What’s your favourite animal and why?

I really love cats, but that feels a bit of a mainstream answer.

However, there’s something about Slender Lorises that I like. It’s something about their nature (and name) that I find comical and intriguing. They move slowly and carefully and appear gentle, relaxed animals. This is until they see something they want. I watched a documentary about them once where one loris was sitting on a tree branch eating a handful of berries. There was another loris on the same branch walking towards it. This loris was walking along looking very casual and nonchalant, and trying to not look like it was showing any interest in the other loris. You could imagine it whistling and pretending it hadn’t even noticed it. That’s until it got within arm's length and then, very suddenly and quickly, it grabbed the berries from the other loris and squeezed them all into its mouth. They seem to have a little bit of a mischievous nature. I like that, so they firmly get onto my favourite list.

When it comes to farmed animals dairy cows are up there as my favourite. 

What do you think is the most pressing issue for animals today?

There are so many. Humans have been domesticating farm animals for around 10,000 years and still haven’t got things right, not even near. It’s tragic how we can treat animals and the pain and suffering we are responsible for causing - and it’s completely avoidable. We’re compassionate barbarians really: as a nation, we care about animals in general but, at the same time, the way we treat them can be barbaric.

We slaughter around 83 billion farm animals globally each year - the vast majority being treated in a way that is considered unacceptable. That’s an average of 227 million animals every day. To put that number in context, if the global population of humans were to disappear at the same rate, we would all be gone in 35 days! The sheer numbers we are dealing with here, and the welfare issues associated with these animals, likely represent the single greatest level of suffering caused by humans - and these numbers are increasing.

The majority of those 83 billion animals are meat chickens. Meat chickens are not only typically kept in extremely poor conditions, but are genetically predisposed to a range of very poor health conditions. This probably makes meat chickens the number one concern and is why the RSPCA’s work, driving up standards on farms, is so important. 

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Nothing is achieved in isolation. I’m very fortunate to work with a dedicated team of animal advocates whereby the collective impact surpasses any individual's efforts. I’d like to thank all those I work alongside in the Farm Animals Department, as well as the wider RSPCA. Together, we continue to make history, and I'm inspired by the extraordinary work being achieved across the organisation every day. 

Two hundred years ago, a group of people met in a London coffee shop, determined to change animals’ lives for the better. That goal has been the beating heart of the RSPCA ever since. Find out more about our history and join our Million-Strong Movement for every kind today!