RSPB and the fear ofthe feline whip | Letters

As a vice-president of the RSPB, Chris Packham (Charities silent over animal hunting and culls, says Packham, 2 September) is not well-placed to accuse other conservation and animal welfare organisations of silence on topics that might upset some of their supporters. A while ago, I was approached by an RSPB representative inviting me to join the organisation. I told him that after receiving regular mailings from the RSPB, I had written to say I would become a supporter when they tackled the elephant - or rather the domestic cat - in the room. And their letters stopped. He covered his badges with his hands, then said: "I'd shoot them all, but there's a large element of our membership that won't hear anything against their nice little moggies, and we can't afford to upset them." So there's a shameful silence for you, Chris!
Griff Everett
Milford, Derbyshire