For over 20 years, Herchy Boal has worked for the RSPCA – an animal welfare organisation which celebrates its 200 th anniversary this summer.
Here she talks about her role and her inspiring passion for animals – ‘sentient beings’ which she adored from a young age.
Despite her parent’s disapproval, Herchy Boal always wanted to work with animals. As a woman of Punjabi Sikh heritage, she was expected to choose a more traditional career path – become a doctor or a lawyer perhaps. However, Herchy stuck to her guns. She knew in her heart what she wanted and what she was put on this earth to do-to be a voice for the precious, sentient beings which she adores.
She’s been an RSPCA inspector for the past 24 years – and is credited with being the first South Asian to take on the role back when she started out in 2000.
“I grew up in the 80s in Leicester and had an obsession with all things animal. I was a bit of a tom boy and used to entice the dogs into our house and feed them,” she tells Pukaar.
“I wanted to be with them and I wanted to work with them. But back then things were very different in terms of expectation of family. I’m Punjabi Sikh, so I think my parents expectations were for me to do something a bit more traditional.
“ Everyone wants to say that their daughter or son is a doctor or a lawyer. My Mum had this idea that animals are dirty, and couldn’t understand why I’d want to go down that route…“
“The only thing I can really relate it to is the film ‘Bend it like Beckham’ – her craziness about football and the pressures she had – that was very much the same for me but with animals.”
Herchy’s Mum told friends and family that her daughter was busy studying business. She hoped that she would change her mind when she took work experience in a bank. However, it just made Herchy even more determined to fulfil her ambition of working with animals.
“I was so bored! It was awful,” she said recalling the experience. “I just remember thinking I can’t do this – I can’t wear these skirts… It just wasn’t me.
“All I wanted to do was work with animals and have a career in that. That’s what my heart told me that I wanted
to do and what I’d be good at. I’ve always been a firm believer that you have one life. You’re also a long time working, so it’s best to do something you’re passionate about. If I’d have done something else it would have been really detrimental to me.
“I’ve always been a little bit defiant and I just thought, ‘why not – why can’t I do that?’ It’s not like I wanted to be
a stripper and tarnish my parent’s reputation, which is a massive thing within the Indian community…”
Prior to joining the RSPCA, Herchy worked on a dairy farm. She also trained as a veterinary nurse.
But it was when she saw a show called ‘Animal Cops’ that something clicked. The show followed RSPCA inspectors as they went about their duties – knocking on doors and rescuing animals from abuse, as well as offering advice, and improving their welfare.
Herchy was first stationed in Birmingham and the West Midlands. She is now back in Leicester, doing the job she loves, but also one which is fraught with challenges.
“I’ve seen some really horrific things over the years and those aren’t images that go away,” she revealed. “You kind of compartmentalise them a little bit.
“It’s something you just have to kind of put away somewhere and then move forward – have time with friends and family – go away on holiday and sip a few cocktails…
“If I had a pound for every time someone said ‘oh I couldn’t do your job, I love animals too much’ I’d be rich,” she added.
“I say ‘I love animals too but A, someone has to do this job, and B, I’m trying to get justice for those animals who are very much sentient beings. They should be treated with respect and love. If you can’t do that, don’t have them.”
This year the RSPCA celebrates its 200th year and Herchy is proud to have played her part in the history of the organisation.
She is proud of paving her own way, despite her family’s early resistance. What’s more, her family are incredibly proud of her too. She is married, and has two fur babies of her own – two dogs called Loki and Murphy.
“My Mum’s really proud that I stuck to my guns and actually feels really bad about the things she said back in the day. She says ‘you’re so strong to do that’ but I don’t think it’s about being strong. It’s about believing in yourself and knowing that you’ve only got one life,” Herchy tells Pukaar.
“ I’m very passionate about animal welfare and I’m very lucky to be living in my Dharma – my calling, despite the opposition ” that I had growing up.
“I’m so grateful that I get to help animals and their humans every day. It’s been a hell of a journey, some really tough days but I really love my job.”
To find out more about the RSPCA and careers, visit: www.rspca.org.uk
By Louise Steel
