Ark's sea of troubles

A significant fall in legacy income and donations has left the RSPCA's Stubbington Ark Animal Centre, which costs more £500,000 a year to run, facing serious financial difficulties.

Legacy income alone for the first six months of this year was 42 per cent lower than for the same period last year.

An immediate comprehensive review of the shelter, its policies, procedures and activities has been undertaken.

It has left trustees with little choice but to review the way the Ark operates and to scale down all services currently offered in an attempt to reduce running costs. These measures include:

Stopping financial assistance to members of the public for veterinary treatment and payment bills

Cancelling plans for a new cattery unit

Phasing out wildlife and livestock units

Strict implementation of policies restricting the intake of animals

The Stubbington Ark is run by The Solent Branch of the RSPCA and is an independent registered charity. It is not funded by RSPCA headquarters and is responsible for raising its own funds.

Without the centre, more than 6,000 animals a year in need of help will suffer.

Shelter manager Mike Ward said: "The centre has done everything in its power to meet public demand and expectation but the reality is that we can no longer continue to do everything for every animal.

"We are implementing a number of cost-cutting measures, and putting new systems in place, but the help of the public is also needed if we are to secure the long-term future of this centre.

"Unless we take this action, and increase the amount of money regularly coming in, the threat of closure is a real possibility."

The Ark Centre's fundraising manager, Kate Browne, said: "There are many ways to help the Ark in these difficult times and every donation, large or small, will make a tremendous difference to safeguarding the future of the shelter."

To make a donation call Kate on 01489 575 455.