MP tells of animal centre’s plight

A HULL MP has raised the threat hanging over the city’s branch of the RSPCA in the House of Commons.

The Clough Road animal centre has been boosted in recent weeks by donations, but says the situation is still “very grim”.

North Hull MP Diana Johnson raised the centre’s plight during business questions, and said it called into question the “Big Society”, as deprived areas found it harder to get charitable donations.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Speaking afterwards she said: “Hull RSPCA is under serious threat, despite being arguably more needed in Hull now than at any time in their 108 years serving the city.

“It’s clearly tougher raising charitable donations in the most deprived areas, such as Hull, than it is in wealthier parts of the country. If all the talk about the ‘Big Society’ is to mean anything, I hope that the future of Hull RSPCA can be secured for the long term.

“Hull MP William Wilberforce was one of the founders of the RSPCA’s forerunner and we should be proud of the work that they do.”

Three staff took voluntary redundancy and another was made redundant last December in a bid to reduce costs.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The charity’s running costs are £2,500 a week. Last year it made a loss of £35,385.

In the past three weeks several thousand pounds have been donated and other branches have contributed more than £20,000.

Anne Hilton, deputy chairman of RSPCA Hull and East Riding trustees, said: “It is buying us time and helping us avoid making the decision to close. It is very grim, there’s no two ways about it. We are not crying wolf. Vets’ bills still have to be paid and all the costs of operating the animal centre have to be met.”

She added: “We want to see this centre succeed it is needed in this area because of the large number of cruelty and neglect cases that come to us.”

The centre still takes dogs, cats and rabbits.