RSPCA. Cumbria North & East Branch Registered Charity Number: 232262 ¥¢7 Mel and Eric Gus ANNUAL REPORT For the Year ending 31 st December 2024
STATUTORY STATEMENT OF PUBLIC BENEFIT BY THE TRUSTEES The RSPCA Cumbria North & East Branch is an unincorporated charitable association and separately registered branch of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, carrying out is direct animal welfare in the area of north and east Cumbria. The Trustees have reviewed the outcomes and achievements of our objettives and activities for the year to ensure that they are focused on our charitable aims and continue to deliver benefits to the public. We hove complied with the duty under the Chorities Art 2LK)6 to hove due regard to public benefit gutidance publAshed by the Commlssion. The Branch's animal welfare work. though local in nature. helps people in need to care for their animals, and hès a moral benefit for society at large by promoting kindness and preventin8 or suppressing cruelty to animals. We provide ssjbsidised veterinary treatment for animals and belong to local people on low incomes. We do thhs mainly through the Branch Clinhc and with vouchers towards private veterinary treatment. This work benefits those on mean5 tested benefits by gffvffng themfinoncial help to obtain corefor componion animols in need of veterinory treotment. We provide subsidised neutering of companion animals for those in the Branch area on low incomes through the Branch Clinic. This work helps to control the do9 and cot population through neutering ond benefits those on means tested benefits by giving themfinGncial help to neuter their compunion onimols. It benefits the general public. as o whole. by promoting responsible pet ownership. We support the RSPCA Inspectorate by taking in. free of charge. mistreated or abandoned companion animals, prOv1ng any veterinary treatment necessary, through the Branch Clinic. The Society's lrtspectorate rescue onimols in distress ond enforces lows ogainst the mistreotment of animo15 in England ond Wt71es by bringing prosecutions. This work is key to the 'prevention of cruelty, port of the RSPCA'S objectives ond promote5 hurnone sentiments towords onimols which h05 a moral benefNtfor the generol public, os o whole. We rehome animals in need, at low cost. to people willing and able to have a companion animal. Ourpolicy to chorge o reasonable odoptionfee aims to highlight the personol andfinartcial commitment of pet ownership. It would not be in the interest of onimals, and thereforefoll outside our objectives. to rehome to those who could not afford them. We provide volunteering opportunities for those who wish to support our work. including trusteeship, volunteering and fundraising. Thts benefits ioeol people #vprovidin9 rhe possNbility of doing work which is compossionote ond rewording. The following Trustees. report gives greater detail on how, and the extent to whictt, this 'public benefit, has been achheved during 2024.
RSPCA CUMBRIA NORTH AND EAST BRANCH Registered Charity No. 232262 Branch Centre and Veterinary Clinic 28 Close Street Carlisle CAI 2HB ANNUAL REPORT st For the year ending 31 December 2024 Board of Trustees Hon. Chairman: Vacant Hon. Treasurer: Mrs S. Smith Hon. Secretary: Mrs A. Armstrong Miss L. Carruthers Mrs L. Morrow Mrs K. Richardson Auditors: Lamont Pridmore Bank.. Natwest, Carlisle Consulting Veterinary Sur8eons: Crai8 Robinson Vets Ltd.
The Trustees Annual Report for 2024 Welcome once again to the trustees, reports, firstLy to that of the work of the branch veterinary clinic. This year has been disappointing once again in terms of numbers seen in the clinic itself and, again, clients have missed appointments without letting us know, wasting the vets time (and fee). The 'St8tement of Animal Welfare Statistics. which we submit monthly to the national society Illustrates this'disappointment'_the monthly average of animals seen at the cLinic was down this year to 55.2. There were peaks and troughs and in Aprilthe numbers seemed to be picking up,'peaking' at 81 then gradually decreasing with the'trough, of only 28 animals seen in November in the clinic itself. Although several more animaLs could have been seen directly at Craig Robinson Vets each month as being an emergency or in need of urgent treatment. The number of cats and dogs getting repeat prescriptions each month remained constant, but while the prescriptions are written up each month byourvets the animals generally only need to be seen bythe vet in the clinic every 6 months. CLinic protocol means dogs requiring neutering needed to be examined first at the clinic, cats did not need to be seen prior to referralfor neutering. While the above may go some wayto account for the decline in numbers. this lack of numbers of pet owners booking appointments is perplexing to say the least. in light of the continued rise in the cost of Living and increasing costs of private veterinary treatment. With our clinic costs such as rent, rates fixed and those of 'UtiLities' increasing, but the revenue in the form of clients. consultation fees decreasing led, in the face of this, to me (with my clinic manager hat on, as well having worked in the clinic for over 30 years) undertaking an evaLuation of the way the clinic worked and questioning its cost eff ectiveness now- in effect a 'cost-benefit' anaLysis.
The clinic and Craig Robinsons use the sameveterin8rycomputer programme system and, on questioning each vet attending the cLinic, each feltthey could work more effectively the way they worked at their own practice, that was essentially working'soLo' in the consulting room. This was trialled and with other sLight administrative changes. it did work to reduce the time the vets were charging for seeing clinic clients. Another, but major, fixed cost was the {one} paid employee" originaLLy contracted to work three hours per cLinic session, but with the declining numbers and the'new, system of working, her role was agreed to be now redundant. Our employee was offered another role, namely an enhanced reception role but declined and decided on taking a redundancy package. She was with us for eight years and we thank her for her contribution towards the running of. and her commitment to, the clinic and wish her well. With the minimum wage rising and again with the declining numbers in mind itwas decided notto employ anyone else just now untilwe see if numbers pick up in 2025. My own thoughtslideas on why the clinic is underused is that of demographic and social change in the areas once our 'heart Land,, also a one-hour window, in middle of day for an appointment, is no longer convenientl logistical for potential clients. To end on a more positive note. with the Act requiring cats to be microchipped coming into Law in June. we launched a'snip and Chip, campaign in April subsidising even more heavily the amount cat owners on benefits would need to pay to have their cats neutered and microchipped, or those cats who had already been neutered, to be microchipped. Our average is 2- 3 per month sowhen we'snipped and chipped, 10 in Maywe hoped the campaign had really taken off. however, despite advertising the scheme in the vets and on our website, the numbers reverted to the norm! And. while it made a small dent in the number of cats breeding indiscriminately, as I WILI leave my cat re-homing Golleague to report, the number of unwanted kittens she was askett to take in was as high as ever.
Income generation In common with most charities we rely on legacies to fund our work. We were Lucky to receive a large legacy several years ago which is still keeping us'afloat,. This year we received the final payment of a 2023 Legacy and notification at the end of the year that we were to receive a smaLI (but equalLy welcome) legacy from a retired nursing sister. Along with several smaller funeral donations. we also received a thousand pounds donated in memory of a younger local man whose famiLy came to the clinic to personally present the money and learn what we do in the clinic and of the animaLwelf8re workwe do in the rural branch area (as this was Late December. this will show in the Financial Accounts for 2025). As we say each year. we haven't the person-power to fund raise ourselves. so these donations are a lifeline for the branch. And finally Our thanks go to all the staff at Craig Robinson Vets Ltd for their support. LesLey and Allan DoyLe at Pawfection Cattery who take in our waifs and strays. Karen anci Tony Aitkin who fosters and socialises kittens. From the N8tionaL society, AWO Graham Carter who we can call on (and hope he feels he can caLI on us) and our Branch P8rtnership Manager Denise Mccabe for her advice and support.
CAT REHOMING IN 2024 2024 proved to be a very busyyearfortaking in and rehomingjust under 70 cats and kittens in this area. We are very luckyto be able to rent six units in a lovely private cattery. run by genuine cat lovers. They take brilliant care of our cats and give them lots of TLC, as some can come from not so briLLiant backgrounds, as 8 result are very scared and frightened when they first come in. We also have a foster home we can use, Karen and Tony love to look after the'kittens, who arrive into our care. either signed over or'found,. We started this year with the brilliant news that our two 'oldies', Legs and his sister Misty, had been off ered a home. were soon adopted and now living a life of Luxury and pampering atthe good age of 15, soon to be 161 We were asked to take in severalyoung cats from a horne, where the mum had moved out, with the rest of the household due to move soon. but no one couLd takethe cats. Signed overwere 4 adults. one a mum and 4 kittens only 3 weeks old, butwith the news one was already chosen, and would be adopted when old enough. Dotty proved to be a really lovely mum and her little ones soon grew into playful Little kittens. finding homes easily. Rebecca, a grey tabby, decided to give birth in a gentleman's garden in an old suitcase. She had already had one kitten when he rushed her to the vets. where shethen went on to have another two kittens. She was checked over and found notto be microchipped and sacjly, after being advertised, did not have anyone come forward for her. She did find a lovely forever home after her kittens had gone to their own homes. Rebecca & Mer 3 kittens I was asked to take in two young girls. when l arrived to collect them, the lady said she thought one was pregnant. They were taken to be checked over, as we do with anywe take in, and I was told that itwouldn't be long until she gave birth. She had 3 lovely black and white kittens, with the help of Lesley from the cattery who gave her Lots of strokes and encouragement.
A magnificent grey Maine Coon was taken in after being signed over to our Inspector, he had a lot of matted fur and was Left outside in alLweathers, rain, hail and snow, but was the sweetest boy you could meet, a typical gentle giantl He was adopted by a couple who had recentLy lost their beloved cat, so were very taken with him and he has settled down so well with them in the countryside, where he loves to sit in the sun watching them in the garden. (Please see front cover for his picture). In 8 secluded country area, there were several kittens running about with their mum. She had been fed by a concerned man, who also started feeding the kittens when they were old enough. He was concerned that the kittens would remain feral Like their mum. so called us to see if we would take them in, he was quite happyto catch the mum and take herto be neutered and ok abouttakingher backto his and keep feeding her. His neighbours already had beds for her in their shed and greenhouse. We managed to take in 5 of the 6 kittens, but sadly the one left. totally evaded alL of us, even with our trap set ready and waiting. Nearer the end of the year. I received a call about a tabby who suddenly appeared in a man's garden with lovely kittens about 314 weeks old, just starting to wobble along. He had purchased an outside. waterproof cloth, kennel type of bed so she could shelterwith them as it was raining most of the days she was there. I tookthe trap round and set it, meaningto leave it for a while and come back, but she was so hungry (even though she was being fed) she just went right into it straight away. The kittens were so easyto pick up and had doubled in numbersll The man had heard squeaks in next doors garden and Looked over the fence to find two tiny kittens looking back at him. For my sins I decided to fosterthe whole family. We called mum Rachel and the four kittens, MeL and Kim (on the right) because I was told they were girls and the boys Eric and Ernie. Kl
Treasurer's Introduction to the Financial Accounts for Year ending 2024 I would like to present the Financial Report of 2024. Our aim as trustees is to promote animal welfare in this area. We offer subsidised veterinary treatment for pet owners on benefits at our Clinic in Close Street, Carlisle. The inspectorate is supported by our branch, taking in cats signed over to them. We use a private cattery for all the neglected and unwanted cats and are lucky to have a foster home, to take in any found or signed over kittens. We count ourselves fortunate to have the stsbility of a large legacy left to us in 2017, to help us throughout the year, although it has reduced over the years, we still have enough to take us through to the foreseeable future. As with many other Charities. the number of Legacies left to us has reduced compared with a few years ago. This year the total of our legacies amounted to just under £16,000 compared to 2023, where the total was just under £47,000. Our van is still proving to be dependable and reliable. only requiring the usual yearly service and MOT, with minimal extra work being carried out, to keep it in good order. At the beginning of 2024, the private cattery we use. had to increase their fees to coincide with the current rising cost of living and utility expenses, which is reflected in the "Cat boarding and rehoming fees" section in the financial accounts. Unfortunately, due to the lack of clinic clients and the current utility charges increasing, along with other cost increases (vet's bills etcl we had to try and find a cost-effective way to run the clinic. The difficult decision was made for our only paid member of staff to be made redundant. We have decided to look into the clinic expenses going into 2025, to see where we can save on any expenditure connected with it.
If anyone would like to ensure that their bequest is used solely for animal welfare work in the Branch area, the wording is as follows: '1 bequeath to the Royal Societyfor the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Cumbria North and East Bronch (Reg charity no. 232262J for the general purposes of the Branch, the sum of . free of all duties and taxes payable at my death and I declare that the receipt of the Honorary Treasurer or other proper Officerfor the time being of the said Branch sholl be suffi'cient dischGrge to my Trustee,. I would like to thank everyone who supports our local Branch, without your involvement we would not achieve the standards of welfare which we do. Susan Smith (Hon Treasurer)
THE ROYAL S CIEff FOR THE PREVENTI CUMBRIA NORTH AND CH CEM8ER 20 FINANCIAL STA ENDED 31
THE ROYAL SOCI ri FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTh TO ANI cu BRIA NORTH AND EAST BRANCH Contonts ststement of Flnancial ActivlU•s Balanc• Sh••t Notes to th• Accounts Indepond•nt Examln•rs' R•port to th• Trustees
RSPCACUMBRIA NORTr1 AMD E12T BRANCH Total Fund$ 2023 Fufid Funds Funds 2024 OMI FROM GeMERATED FUNDS 37.765 37.765 68,435 Voluntsry In¢¥xne In¥estsn¢nt Inrne 18.TT6 18,778 25.332 59.879 96.n2 TOTAL INCQMINQ RESOURces 115.532 115.532 2,317 ALLOCATION OF SUPPORT COSTS GOVERNANCE COSTS TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDEO 1.735 936 118303 118.203 Net infamirg r850urr45 158,324) {58.3341 136$) G•ln ILos¥$1 en lnTrmbYts Transfers ¥atn bJnd5 NET moVET IN FUNDS TOTAL FUNOS AT 1stJaNMry 2023 TOTAL FUNDS AT 31¥t Dwib•r 2023 158,2711 3,1ty) 158.2711 233.618 29).518 233.618 23J.618 175y7 175A47 Page I
RSPC4 CUMBRIA NORTh AND EAST BRANCH &4LINCE SHEEfAS AT 31ST DECEll8eR 2024 Total Funds 2024 Total Funds 2tr23 FurvJs Fund5 FIXED ASSErs 4.123 T8ngl)k* Fuad ABS¢ts 10 CURRE A8sErs 20 ogbter Investments Cash at Bartk& Hand 5.7fd 188.9SI 194.713 5.679 188.961 230.379 194.713 236.078 CURRENT LBILmEs 22,864 172.049 e.583 172.049 229.495 Sundry ¢r8dittirs NEf CURRENT ASSETS TOTAUA&WS LESS CURRENT UABIUTSES 175247 175.347 233.618 175.347 233.818 NET ASSETS FUNDS 175.347 233,618 Unde5on8ted Fur#Js Design8te4 Funds 175.347 175.347 175.347 233.618 Page 2
2024 2023 1 VOLUNTARY INCOME 354 15.5 20.438 1.383 37,7S5 68 79 4e.764 19.786 Ganwal DononsFundALsirvJ Le9a¢i¢5 Nab"onal sch8 entiUwMTht Idoorto dw) Donati¢y15 #nd Subsn$ 2 NVE$TMwf W4COME s>nd?rd Gbartorea N8tW•8t Bank 3 INCOME FROM CHARffABLE ACYNMES 2.611 18.776 25.332 Cootritiuts. n lo Anifflal taDerIts YOTAL 69179 .ni 32.936 20.409 4.379 S.096 8o•rdiw arrta RepArnifg Fees Rent & Utiliti85 Cfir¢ Iranc ststy"on8ry •nd p9& Tei•phO 1,878 2.739 1,555 314 310 7.918 40.575 2,3 1.249 567 Clini¢ Repai linic Gosts. $6vJnty.¢•AiNJ.5u•dli•¥ CniC admin & sUPWt V•t ¢¢llOn$ & fees Dru96 •nd redn• 9.649 42.2n 10.408 8.198 115.532 2023 5 ALLOCATION OF SUPPORT com 910 825 1,287 1.030 eank charues Depreuion fj fjOVERNANCE C0S1S 896 93307 lthdep8nd•rtl EAMir F•86 TOTAL 118203 {58,3241 page J
RSPCA CUIABRIA P40RTH AND E4ST BRANCH 2024 2023 Val £5.340 £1 stsndl Chwter•d Pk 7.375% PrEf Stock Nonam Irred Prefeferte Sha 5.679 5,732 5.868 5,679 2024 2023 Clink Incom• & ExwJlWrn 44,289 81.347 37.0581 50.552 86.991 16,4391 Ineom8 for wr EynditbJre for>ar Excss oflnceme lor 2024 2023 9 Cash * 8•nk 187.284 1,877 218,340 12.039 Balanr ott D8P05it Aecounrwrfh the Nai we Current Awount 188.961 230.379 10 TANGIBLE FIXED ABSETS Fi>luits Motor Vèh8 Total Equ 1S.893 27.656 Costs to 1st January 2024 AdLlthons during par Less Original G05t of dwosab dunn91Yar Costs lo 31st Dec4mber 2024 7,910 3.8$3 27656 7,910 3,853 15.893 7,176 3.797 12.860 23.533 Deprecfation tc 1st Januory 2024 Less D¢pretsation tyn •sset8 ofdullr8iwr Charge for ar rvTwationto 31Jt 2024 147 7.323 e67 13,227 825 24,8 5BT 45 3.298 6(Y)KVALUE 31st tt4mt4r2f44 3.333 4,123 NET BOOK VALUE 31st Drnts•r2023 734 Paee d
l F4g•$ 1 hi4. tru8•5 ftytrA&)wAuW%¥y 14412)eW UPP*RD F.CA
2024 Annual Report to Branches Cumbria Group The current team consists of InspectorARO Graham Carter covering Cumbria. InsFeclor ARO Nick Green, Inspector Amy Mclntosh and Inspector Carf Larsson covering South Cumbria and North Lancashire. Finally Rob Melloy Chief Inspector. Martyn Het¢her- Inspector Martyn Fletcher passed away unèxwtedly in May after working for the anim charity for 24 years. Martyn, a former police officer in West Yorkshire and accountant, was well known in his community. He would often have kjcal people- as well as the poli and local vets- reaching out to hirn for help in dealing with animal welfare issues at all times of the day and nKJht and he was always happy lo assist. Throughout his career wtth the RSPCA he help&J save hundreds of animals and also helped many people who needed advice in carirYJ for their pels. He also brought to justr.ce those who had committed seTiOUS animal cruelty offences and was traned in specidist rescues as part of the charity's rope and water rescue teams. Matyn was really respecte(l in the community for his work and passion tor animal welfare. Lots ol people would call on his experb.se I know ICal vets and the police would be in touch with him at all times and he would always have his phone tymed on and offer to hdp when needed. tt was the same with work colleagues - even if he was on a day off - he would say they Could call him rf need1 and he woukl always make himself available lor them - arKI the animals. He was a real outdoors man and loved being in nature and was a Climber which made him a natural rescuer. During his care8r hè spent time as an RSPCA Water Rescue Technician Involved in several rescues ol people and animals during large scale flooding incidents. He al spent time on our rope rescue team and the casualty animal specialist team. He was also a true genueman. always willing to go the extra mile to help people as well as animals. Once the water rescue team revisited a streel in Morpeth in Northumberland in 2008 where they had reLed people and animals the day before. Th8 devastation was obvious to all. When arriving at one house they had visited, they found Martyn with a tiroorn in hand, helping the elderly homeowner clean up ttie mess. Matyn, who was also a keen photographer, won a number of ¢ommendats"ons for his rescue work includiTrJ saving a stag which had bOrne entangled in a tree on a river - as wel5 as the rescue of a shgep from a difftop in Shap. Cumbria. Martyn was proud to be an RSPGA Inspector. He was- among many things- passionate about animal welfare, a diligent case officer with a particular interest in wildlife crTme, and the go-to officer for hdp in ts Cumbria are& He was a fiercely loyal colleague and will missed by all those who knew him. Apploby Horse Fair- Once again we had a large team of Inspectorate colleague5 from across the country come up to Appleby for the Fair. Because of the way the dynamic of the Fair has changed we now have three phases to the operation. In Phase 1 we have a small team in the area around Appleby as there are always lots of horses and owners who tum up earty for the fair. are on the ground thecking on the welfare of the animals from the Friday before the Fair starts. Phase 2 is when we deploy the large team of 32 Inspectorate staff. This is the main event of the Fair itself in its traditional time slot. We are assisted during this time by stsff from Wortd Horse Wetrare. Redwings. Blue Cross and Bransby Horses. Phase 3 is the mop up stage which is the Monday and Tuesday after the fair. This is camed out by just 2 offieers who are making sure that nothing has been left behind and carying on lnvestigatr.ons started during the first 2 phases where necessary. This year there was unfortunately a death of a horse eady on at the Fair. We believe this horse had been worked lo the point of exhaustion and then collapsed and died. There is an ongoing investigation. WoTk carried out at the Fair was., 355 Interactions, 8 Warnings. 3 ongoing investigations. Animals that came into care.. 25 (+5 puppies togetherl115 equines. 2 dogs. 6 puppies, I kitten. 1 domestic rabbit, 2 wild rabbits, 1 duckling, 1 captNe bird, 1 wild bird). This year Westmoreland and Fumess Coun¢il delegated powers under the Animal Weltsre Act to the RSPCA team. This made our operats.on $0 much more efficient as we didn't need to rely on the Police to use their powers. We were able to act far more quickly to secure animals and get them to safe places for treatment when required. Getting Fthvers for RSPCA staff under the Animal Welfare Act is a national target for the RSPCA. l understsnd that the Welsh Parliament may be close to giving powers to the Inspectorate In Wales. However. Cumbria and Westmodand and Fumess Council beat them lo it. The first ever Horse tsken into possession by an RSPCA Inspector using powers under the Animal Welfare Act was named Fletcher after our much missed colleague and Appleby Fair Veteran Matyn Fletcher.
Court Casos - A Woman from Barrow4n-Fumess, Cumbria- staThed a six-month-old puppy to death and dumped her body In a freezèr bag. The woman was prosecuted by the RSPCA after the trthy of a stsffordshire bull terrier type dog Called Ariel was found in the Ormsgill area of Barrow In May 2023. The puppy, who weighed 7kg, had deteriorated over severdl weeks and was descnbed by a vel as 'emaciated'. Sweeney told the inspector that Ariel belonged to her. She said she hadn't stsrved her pel and that the dog had been 'si¢k for several weeks,. before she left her body In a pigcE she 'liked to go,. A post mortem report was carried out which showed that Arlel had no body fat. When inteNiewed by the RSPCA about what had happened, Sweeney said Ariel had stopped eating her food but there seemed to be no obvious reason for this. She said she didn't seek any veterinary help and continued to watch her pet deteriorate and10se weight for'about four or fve weeks,. She said Ariel had shown no Ouard signs of illness and she didn't believe she was suffering. No veterinary help had been sought at any time. primarily, she said. due to cx)ncem5 about the cost. She stated there was no one she could have asked for help. and she wasn't aware that the RSPCA or similar welfare organisations coukl have provided finanryal assistance. Sweeney pleaded guilty to one offence contrary to the AninEI lfare Act 20C6. The court heard in mitigation that she had poor mental health and that she was Ihe primary carer for three children. In sentencing the woman reiVed 8 12-week custodial. suspended for 12 months. 20 days of habIllOn athvty, £157 victim surcharge. Disqualified from keeping animals indeffnitely with a minimum of 10 years before she appeal. A Cumbria man who mistreated 28 owls has been handed a 20 week suspended prison sentence. A man from Wdlney. Barrow-in Furness. Cumbria was also disqualified from keeping all birds for five years after pleadin9 guilty lo three Animal lfare Act 2006 offens,. for causin9 unnecessary suffering to a tawny owl and a bam owl - and not meebng the needs of a further 26 ¢)wls. He was also put under 8 curfew from 9pm to 7am for a period of one month. He was sentenced at Preston Crown Court on 17 May. This case Wan in 2022 but due to the baC0g in the court System was only heard May 2024. The court heard that the man kept a total of 31 owls. ranging from tawny. snowy and eagle to Indian scops, burrowing and Australian boobooks. Five of the birds were kept at his residence and at a lock-up in Barrow-in-Furness. When RSPGA inspectors visited the tsvo premises on 8 March 2022 to check on the birds, welfare, they found owls with obvious neurological condityons and others with current or previous injuries. which did not appear to have received the necessary veterinary ¢are. In most cases. the birds were being kept in cramped unsuitable conditions- including dog craies not much wider than their wng-span. RSPCA Inspector Arny Mclntosh said.. 'Wnen l attended the address up lo assist police with a warrant, I found fv tawny owls slacked in dog cages on top of each other. 80th of them were sh¢)wing neurological condrtions. One was rolling around in his cage unable lo stand properly. The owner told me the owls had been given tcs him by vets and that they were wild owls. He said they had been in this condits.on for a number of months.. On the same day. Inspector Melntosh moved on lock-up premises where police had to force entry. The RSPCA and vet surgeon examined each of the 26 birds kept there. InStOr Mclntosh added.. "The Sock-up unit was very cramped wlth a large number of (ages Containing numerous owls of various species. The cages varied in si2e from larger enclosures for the Eagle Owls to some cages which were simply small dog crates. None of the Cages appeared to contain any water. There was very lie natural light getb.ng into the unit and it was dark inside. Some of the owls were visibly disabled with hanging wings indicating they had broken a wing at some point", The vet examined each owl and their enc105ures before each was placed into animal carriers. In total, 26 owls were removed frorn this thk-up site. The Vet said that his overall impression of the lock-up premises was that it was very dart and the housing of all the birds was Inadequate. There were no windows, and the lighting was all switched off. It was dusty. incredibty cramped with numerous owls housed both together and in close proximity to other owls. Later that day, when the Vet visited the owners house to examine a further five birds. he found more owls showng injury, illness and housed unsuitsbty. He reported that one owl appeared to have a serious neurological deficit, induding a marked head-tilt, and that the owner had said that the bird had been behaving that way since he got it. The bird was unable to stand, and was constantly rolling on the floor of the cage. This bird. and another owl in very poor condition with a wing fracture. we put lo sleep to curtail their suffering. In addibon, he was very C£sncemed that gravely debilitated and injured owls were being kept and that despite birds of prey being adept at h1Th9 clini¢>l signs ol disease, three birds were cleady in physical distress Mults"ple Animal Case in Barrow-in-Fumess. 1 Spaniel. 4 cats and 7 Guinea Pigs Moved from a propety afteT the spaniel was taken to the vets in a collapsed. ernaciated state and crawling wth fleas. Whilst awaiting a court date the defendants decided to acqui 4 kittens of which 2 died when put back in the flea ridden house. The surviving 2 were seEed. The case was in 8arrow-in-Fumess Magistrates court for a Sec 20 hearing on 19th Det*mber 2024, which was SLtthssftJl. This means the RSPCA can re•home th animals after a 21 day appeal period_
Rescues - 22 dogs were removed from a static caravan near Seascale, Cumbria. The elderty genueman owner was taken into secure care by police and social services. The owner had deaty been struggling to look after himself and had all¢)wed the dogs to cover the inside of the caravan In excremenl. The elder gendeman was taken Into secure care by police and scKial services. He agreed to relinquish ownership of all the dogs. Cumbria branches did a great job wrth rehoming some of these dogs. 13 c3ts were removed from a propety in Dalton-in-Fumess. Cats were living in fillhy conditions. The owner of these rAts was clearly not coping with the cats and asked the RSPCA to re-home all the cats In the property. They were signed over to the RSPCA and tsken to GMAH for vet care before going into branches. In December, ARO Graham Carter attended an inciderrt where a swan had crash landed through glass panels al a garden nursery greenhouse. He was taken 10 the massive greenhouse and located the swan walking around under the plant benches. He eventually caught the swan and examined it and to his surprise Il didn't have any injuries. He bagged it into a swan bag and released it on a local lake around half a mile away Another happy ending. Swans somets.mes land on wet roads that they mistake for rivers but this is the first time I have heard of one attempting to land on a green house. Chris Towler- Inspector Chris Towler resigned from the RSPCA at the end of Ihe year after 39 years of dedicated service. Chris is a well loved character and will be missed by the team. Though he has promised to join us for social events to roll out his latest.dad Jokes. on us. In his career Chris has improved the lives of thousands of animals, prosecuted many offenders and helped innumerable colleagues along the way. We all wish Chris a long and prosperous retsrement Chris And Stella Nomian, Mllnthorpe Kennels and Cattery - Chris and Stella moved on from their business at Milnthorpe kennels and cattery. Chris and Stella have been a huge asset to the InstOrate team In Cumbria. They aayS seemed to be able to find us space at any tsme of the day or night for pretty much any domestic animal. Over the yeafs they have helped u5 to help thousands of animals. Including, on one Oa$lon, a batch of over 2QO rabbits wtth only a few hours notice To Conclude - These are challenging times for the Cumbria Inspedorate team. We are very few but have high hopes of a new recnJit Calle(S Lucy who will be joining us when she finishes her training in April. As we are so few and cover a very large area we are very gratefvl ft)r the work of the branches and our Volunteers. Wlhout these people giving up their time we wouldn't be able to do nearly so much for animals in need. So from the team THANKYOUI
Stru¢tur& Governance & Man2gemeD¢ Cumbria North and East branch has as its goernIng document the National kniety's Branch Rules (amended in 2006.) In this branch the truS¢S are in effect committee membeTS. They are appointed at the Annual General Meeting by polling 0er 50 % of the vote in a secret ballol which takes at the AGM, by th0 eligible to vo* under RSPCA rules. All eligible branch members are sent a nomination forni with the notice calling the annual general meeting. enabling them to put then]selves forward for election, if proposed and seconded by a member of the branch. N'on branch metnbers can also k co opted io the committee and subsequentlv act as trustees. The m&ximum numEEr of elecTed committee members is 14 and J co options are allowed in any one year. All tn)stees are asked to sign a "Declaration of Willingness to Serve &$ a Trustee and appraised of the duties and responsibilities of Truteship. Induction to FK)licies & procedures for. and trainin8 of, trustees is undertaken bv the Branches Development Advisor. The organisational strncture of the branch is that of three executive officer& the honoTary chainnwL tre&surer and secretarv. appointed by balloL at a meeting held directly after the AGM, to make day to day decisions in ihe running of the Branch. Any major policy decisions are put to the comrninee for ratification. The committee meets two monthly. The branch has specific risk management procedures in place which are alwa)'s being re evaluated. and we are continuousl). working towards new policies and procedures. The secretary is also reswnsible for the adrninistration of the Branch Clinic. The branch has a Re-homing Coordinator for cats, who liaises directlv with the prtvate IK>arding catteTr V4here the ¢ats are kept. aaitIng re-homing.. Trisiting regularly to Check on their general health and wellbeing: obtaining veterinary ttrnen( if necessary. The R¢-homing coordinator, place these animals in suitable new homes. after carrying out a home visit to assess the home s suitability for the animal chosen and also carry out )st-homing checks. Cumbria Nonh and East branch is connected to the wider RSPCA network by a Trustee attending North Regional Board rneetin£s and of course the National Society. under 'hose guidelines the branch operaies. The RSPCA-S Chief Vet, as well as licensing the Branch VeterinaTr Clinic: updates the branch on new veterinarn, medicine guidelines and provides recommendlonS as to "best Practice . Contact with tile RSPCA Inspectorate is maintained through the RSPCA National Control Centre and on a "fac¢ to face, basis when an anirnal signed over to the RSPCA is tsken inio Branch care.
tIEU % G11 > -ME:7 ithjp E?5 wthti "CA tf 25 p- &èat AS RSPCA Cumbria North & East Branch Map Branch Mobile: 07718 065995 Welfare, Neutering & Microchipping Rehoming Mobile: 07487 582495 Cat Adoptions & Sign overs