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, prOv￿1ng 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 In￿rne
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 lnTrmbY￿ts
Transfers ¥at￿n bJnd5
NET moVE￿T 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 L￿BILmEs
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 Don*onsFundALsirvJ
Le9a¢i¢5
Nab"onal sch￿8 entiUwMTht Idoorto dw)
Donati¢y15 #nd Subs￿n$
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 t￿a￿DerIts
YOTAL
69179
.ni
32.936 20.409
4.379
S.096
8o•rdiw arrta RepArnifg Fees
Rent & Utiliti85
Cfir¢* I￿￿ranc*
ststy"on8ry •nd p￿9&
Tei•phO
1,878
2.739
1,555
314
310
7.918
40.575
2,￿3
1.249
567
Clini¢ Repai
linic Gosts. $6vJnty.¢*•AiNJ.5u•dli•¥
C￿niC admin & sUPWt
V•t ¢¢￿ll￿￿On$ & fees
Dru96 •nd r￿ed￿n•
9.649
42.2n
10.408
8.198
115.532
2023
5 ALLOCATION OF SUPPORT com
910
825
1,287
1.030
eank charues
Depreu*ion
fj fjOVERNANCE C0S1S
896
93307
lthdep8nd•rtl E*AMi￿r F•86
TOTAL
118203
{58,3241
page J

RSPCA CUIABRIA P40RTH AND E4ST BRANCH
2024
2023
Val
£5.340 £1 stsnd*l 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
Exc*ss 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
Vèh￿8
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 t*t4mt4r2f44
3.333
4,123
NET BOOK VALUE 31st D￿rnts•r2023
734
Paee d

l F4g•$ 1 hi4.
tru8*•5 ftytrA&)wAu￿W%¥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 IC￿al 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 need￿1 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 re￿L￿ed 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 b￿Orne 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 Ou￿ard 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 re￿iVed 8 12-week
custodial. suspended for 12 months. 20 days of ￿habIll￿￿On 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 offen￿s,. 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 baC￿0g 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. InS￿tOr 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 li￿e 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 h￿1Th9 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 Ins￿tOrate
team In Cumbria. They a￿ayS 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 O￿a$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 go￿ernIng 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 0￿er 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 Tru￿teship. 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. a￿aitIng re-homing.. Trisiting regularly to Check
on their general health and wellbeing: obtaining veterinary t￿trnen( 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 recommend￿lonS 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.

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RSPCA Cumbria North & East Branch Map
Branch Mobile: 07718 065995
Welfare, Neutering & Microchipping
Rehoming Mobile: 07487 582495
Cat Adoptions & Sign overs