RSPCA branch is crumbling
THE RSPCA BRANCH IN HULL IS CRUMBLING AND STAFF FEAR FOR ITS FUTURE. HANNAH ROBINSON TOOK A TOUR OF THE CENTRE
a grant towards building, but they are not continually funded by the national RSPCA and are prohibited from fundraising outside of their regional area.
Staff and volunteers at the Clough Road site work tirelessly to rehabilitate animals who have been harmed or abused, and they too have admitted to struggling to carry out their responsibilities with the state of the current facilities.
No animal can thrive in conditions that are beyond staff control, and they need comforts in order to learn to trust people again and have a much-deserved second chance in life.
If you can’t spare any money, at least try and spare some time, or at the bare minimum spread awareness of the cause through your social media.
Animals play a major part in people’s lives. They become adopted family members when brought into our homes, and the plight of those animals who are abused or neglected will tug at the strings of even the most hardened of hearts.
Thankfully, we have the RSPCA Hull and East Riding Branch giving sanctuary to the most vulnerable of animals – but that might not always be the case unless vital funds are raised.
On a tour of the centre in Clough Road, which was built in 1938, the dilapidation is clear to see.
Emaciated dogs with protruding ribs and matted fur are brought into the centre by loving inspectors and staff, who do all they can to rehabilitate and nurture the animals, yet they are limited by the shocking state of the resources they are left to work with.
Other animals such as cats, rabbits and ferrets are also subjected to the problems of the failing structures.
The Hull branch of the RSPCA receives no funding whatsoever from the Government and have been given an undetermined grant for the building work by the national
RSPCA office, meaning the half-century old kennels are riddled with problems including rust, flooding and even floors in such disrepair there is a risk the dogs could cut themselves. Assistant manager Carina Mclean, left, and general manager Alison Ripley
So far, five kennels have had to be closed for safety reasons, meaning five fewer spaces for vulnerable dogs to be given a second chance at life.
Last year, the branch launched a campaign to raise a total of £1m in order to transform the site, and changes are slowly being made.
General manager Alison Ripley said: “So far we have raised £250,000 and we have managed to start building new laundry rooms and kennels, but there is still a long way to go.
“We have closed five kennels because they flood in the rain and the animals had no access to the indoors, and the kennels we do use have rusty wire-fencing and the resin floors and drains are cracking.
“We want to care for as many animals as possible and we don’t want to turn any away that need our help, but the way things are going in five years we might not be able to function as a centre at all.”
A new kennel block housing ten to 15 dogs costs just over £350,000, with the amount set to rise as companies up their prices in the shadow of Brexit.
The site offices are currently held in a portable cabin, where the roof is leaking and the floors are rotting beneath staff’s feet.
“The ceiling in our education room recently fell through due to water damage, and we have just enough money in the budget to rectify it, but if we don’t get the funds we need I’m not sure what we will do,” said Mrs Ripley.
“We always said the office space and education rooms would be last to receive funding, but they are in such a state we
“We have closed five kennels because they flood in the rain and the animals had no access to the indoors General manager Alison Ripley
can’t work from them. The public are hesitant to donate towards office space, but without the offices we can’t help animals.
“We want to create an indoor area where the dogs can be exercised when the weather is bad, because at the moment they are exposed to all of the elements.
“We give all of the animals so much love and care, it’s heartbreaking to see them in these kennels, but there’s nothing we can do unless we raise enough funds.”
If you want to donate money or building supplies, adopt a pet or volunteer your time, call the RSPCA on 01482 341331 or visit www.rspca.org.uk/local/hull-and-eastriding-branch/aboutus
Alternatively, you can text PAWS06 £5/£7/ £10 to 70070.