Clough Road RSPCA branch facing threat of closure
THE Hull and East Riding branch of the RSPCA is facing closure and has launched a desperate appeal for help.
The local charity, which has been in the city for 106 years, says it only has enough money to cover running costs for four months after donations from the public dried up.
Lyn Clarke, branch manager of the Clough Road-based centre in north Hull, said this was the lowest ever amount the organisation had held in reserve.
She said: "This is the worst it has ever been and I'm seriously worried. We are facing closure and it's a horrible thing to contemplate.
"Our donations have dried up – we would probably expect to receive somewhere between six and eight donations a week, now we are not even getting that a month.
"It's the economic climate – people aren't in the same position as they were even a year ago to donate money to charities."
Mrs Clarke said animal adoptions had also tailed off, with dogs, cats and rabbits all facing a longer wait to secure a new home.
She said: "This is all completely understandable, but we do so much work in the area and if we had to close it would be devastating.
"We take in an awful lot of animals during the year and rescue a lot of wildlife."
The branch was today launching its A Pound For a Pet appeal, which is asking people to donate £1, or more if they can spare it, to the charity's account at their local Barclays branch.
The Hull centre has 18 full and part-time workers as well as numerous volunteers.
A member of staff is on site 24 hours a day to ensure the charity can respond to problems, including Christmas Day and New Year's Eve.
Mrs Clarke said: "Closing would have a big impact on our staff and we would have to beg other centres to take our animals. This wouldn't be easy as they are already over-stretched during the recession.
"If things continue as they are, we may at least have to close areas such as our cattery or make workers redundant. This would be a real shame as our staff are so dedicated.
"But I hope it won't come to that and appeal to the generosity of Mail readers to help secure our future."
The Hull and East Riding branch of the RSPCA requires more than £300,000 a year in running costs.
As reported in the Mail, the branch suffered a financial blow in June after being told it must repay more than £20,000 following a government tax payment blunder. The national RSPCA organisation loaned them the money, which they are now paying back at a cost of £2,000 a month.
See today's Mail to read more about the work of the RSPCA in Hull and the East Riding, learn how you can help the charity and also meet some of the animals being cared for at Clough Road.
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by anon, hull
Monday, January 04 2010, 4:02AM
“i am 22, and offered to help out at this particular branch, and was told they had enough help already and was refused. also when my cat passed away at 18 yrs old i went there to offer a forever home to another cat, where again i was refused because i also own a rescue staffie, even though he has always lived with my previous cat.
why is it help was offered, and refused, a home was offered, then refused, and now no ones offering to help? i wonder why! i am an animal lover and have 5 rescue animals already and dont want the branch to close, but my help so far offered has been refused ...”
by anon, Hull
Sunday, December 13 2009, 12:34AM
“I volunteered at the Hull branch years ago as a 14 year old, I only lasted 6 months because the staff were so rude, unfriendly, made me feel inadequate because I was a volunteer and I was even verbally bullied by one of the staff (Leon was his name). Every time I've had dealings with them since I've noticed a terrible attitude amongst the staff (and it's not that they recognise me from volunteering before). They're incredibly rude, make you feel bad for even walking into the branch. They need to read these comments and take notice that their image is terrible as a result of the people who work there!!
I will however go into the branch soon and donate some money and food to help them because it's not the fault of the animals that the people who look after them are so awful. For the record, a few of the staff ARE lovely, it's just that the majority aren't and if you're unlucky enough to deal with them it makes you feel rubbish and angry. Anne the manager needs to sort her attitude out if she's still there.
The hull animal welfare trust, in comparison, is run by lovely people who all seem genuinely interested in the animals' welfare and are wonderful to speak to. The staff at RSPCA don't seem to realise how lucky they are to not only have a job at this time, but to have a job that enables them to be in contact with aniamls every day, I for one would LOVE a job like that but they're so difficult to get. (and I know how tough it is from volunteering, I still volunteer at other shelters).
Just my 2 pence.”
by nikki, hull
Tuesday, December 08 2009, 8:08PM
“Having been a volunteer at the clough road centre, it is easier to understand the abruptness of some of the staff, they put up with verbal abuse, time wasters, and see time and time again animals coming back to the centre because people just do not appreiciate the time and commitment an animal needs. they are all very commited to the welfare of the animals work in all weathers .unsociable hours and see some awful things so cut them some slack!!”
by Arthur, Ezzle Road, Ull
Thursday, December 03 2009, 6:56PM
“I agree with all of you who recognise the RSPCA is a business, run on business lines - sure it looks after animals but only after the fat cats in corporate headquarters have creamed off a nice little earner. I really do hope enough cash is raised to prveny closure, but in reality the RSPCA HQ has the cash, it's a question of whether they want to spend it on what the people gave it for, or have more ponsy seminars, cars, marketing crap and other expensive tosh.”
by EclecticBadger, Central Hull
Thursday, December 03 2009, 6:46PM
“I once had a sick pet. I took it to the PDSA for treatment and was refused help because I wasn't unemployed and on benefits. I offered to make a substantial donation to cover costs, but was still refused help because they did not have the correct forms - is this what we want from our animal aid services? Unfortunately I suspect the same paper form filling culture has also infiltrated the RSPCA. Money will always be required, because there has to be a way of paying for the staff that work for the organisation, and the medications used for the treatments, however this can and should come from head office. When it comes to the public helping the stricken animals, the best thing is to donate food - in this respect the RSPCA should offer to provide a list of suitable animal food (or bedding) donations required. More people would be willing to give if they knew their donation was to be actually used locally.”