12/06/2026
Brian May resigned from the RSPCA — the organisation literally created to prevent cruelty to animals — because it wasn't preventing enough cruelty to animals. His Instagram post triggered celebrity open letters from Ricky Gervais and Joanna Lumley, a 60-organisation petition, an internal investigation — and the RSPCA's own Chief Executive stepped down. Never underestimate a rock guitarist with a cause.
Brian May had been Vice President of the RSPCA since 2012.
Twelve years. Fundraising. Campaigning. Lending his name and his platform to one of the oldest animal welfare organisations in the world.
Then in September 2024 — he found out what was happening on some of the farms carrying the RSPCA Assured label.
Investigations had found overcrowding, poor hygiene and physical abuse of livestock by farm workers — on over 40 farms certified under the RSPCA Assured scheme. Supermarkets including Aldi, Lidl, Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury's and Tesco were all signed up to the scheme.
Brian May waited. Gave the organisation time to respond properly.
He watched. And felt their response was completely inadequate.
On September 26th, 2024 — he posted his resignation letter on Instagram.
"It is with profound sadness and not without massive soul-searching that today I have to offer my resignation as a vice-president of the RSPCA. Good folks out there are still paying extra for animal produce with the RSPCA sticker on it — thinking they are protecting farm animals from cruelty. In the end there was no other option for me."
Then the chain reaction began.
The very next day — Bryan Adams, Moby, Ricky Gervais, Peter Egan, Joanna Lumley, Miriam Margolyes and Jerome Flynn all signed an open letter urging the RSPCA to drop the scheme. Over 60 animal protection organisations signed alongside them.
The RSPCA launched an internal review. Its Chief Executive announced he was stepping down by the end of the year.
Brian May had given twelve years of service to the RSPCA — helping keep it afloat during particularly difficult times for British charities.
He resigned from the animal protection society — for insufficient animal protection.
Nobody in British public life has ever done anything more Brian May than this./
