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.