AN urgent appeal has been launched to help save the Warrington-based Slutchers Lane animal charity, linked to the RSPCA, which is facing closure due to challenges posed by the pandemic and rising costs.
The RSPCA Warrington, Halton and St. Helens Branch may be forced to close its rescue shelter in Slutchers Lane in Warrington as it is struggling to make ends meet.
A few £100,000 legacies have enabled the shelter, which is self-funded separately from the RSPCA, to remain open during the past four years but with running costs of £28,000 a month these have now run out.
The branch is due to celebrate its 40th anniversary next year, but now needs urgent financial donations to keep its gates open so it can continue to provide vital welfare services to local animals affected by neglect and abuse. A free healthcare clinic provided by the charity at Runcorn has already had to close.
Staff and volunteers specialise in helping animals that have been seized by RSPCA inspectors.
They play a major role in the medical and behavioural rehabilitation of these animals and work with foster families and the local community to find truly loving forever homes. Such as animals like Simba, an American Akita, who had a really traumatic start to life.
He was living outside with no shelter and had very little positive human interaction due to the neglect he suffered at the hands of his owner. He was found to be incredibly nervous around humans and it was only following the expert support of branch staff that he learned to trust humans again.
Thanks to the love, expertise and support of staff and volunteers the branch can report that Simba is now in his safe forever home, loving long daily forest adventures and even longer afternoon naps on the sofa.
There are many more animals like Simba (pictured), who have been the victims of dreadful abuse who have been given a fresh start in life at the shelter.
But this love and care doesn’t come without costs. The process of finding suitable homes with the welfare of the animals the foremost consideration can be a lengthy one, while kennels and pens need to be kept warm and medical expenses paid.
The average stay for a dog in the rescue’s kennels is 93 days and cats can be boarded for up to 180 days waiting for new homes.
The challenges posed by the pandemic as well as rising costs have put the branch in extreme financial hardship.
It is separately funded from the RSPCA nationally and is entirely responsible for its own income generation.
Now the branch has launched an urgent ‘Save our Shelter’ appeal. It is appealing for the support of individuals, community groups, local businesses and organisations to help secure the future of the charity.
Chairman of the Trustees of the RSPCA Warrington, Halton and St. Helens Branch Andrew Heyes said: “We have been extremely fortunate to have had some large legacies left to us and some more modest ones and they have tied us over.
“Over the past four years, there have been a few £100,000 legacies that have allowed us to weather the storm as long as we have.
“But that isn’t the case now and we are struggling to get vital funds.”
In all, the branch estimates it needs around £28,000 income each month to continue operating.
It has been forced to close a public welfare clinic it ran in Windmill Street in Runcorn, which offered free healthcare for animals.
Along with 12 kennels and 18 cat pens, the RSPCA Warrington, Halton and St. Helens Branch shelter includes a cat playroom, a dog lounge, a groom room and an exercise paddock, as well as a vets suite, which is visited bi-weekly by a veterinary surgeon.
As well as the costs of veterinary care, neutering and microchipping, the branch also funds important behavioural training as many of its animals have been left traumatised by neglect and abuse.
Whether you are an individual animal lover or an organisation committed to supporting local causes you can help the ‘Save our Shelter’ appeal in a number of ways.
The easiest way is by signing up to make a regular, or one-off donation and every penny truly does help.
You can make a donation by visiting https://rspca-whs.org.uk/save-our-shelter/ or you can email [email protected].
People can also send a cheque or bring cash donations to the RSPCA Warrington, Halton and St. Helens branch at Slutchers Lane, Warrington, WA1 1NA (opening hours are 10am-4pm, seven days a week).
To contact the branch email [email protected] or search RSPCA-WHS on social media.
*RSPCA branches are separately registered charities, although they work within the framework of the Society’s policies and guidelines.
Branch staff in the main picture are (left to right) Katie Buckley with rescue dog Star, Kevin McFarlane, trustee Catherine McGree and Steph Davies.
Video by volunteer Lauren McKechnie:
Click on the image to make a donation
