Balmore campaigners claim 'no thought' given to geographical location
Campaigners calling for a rethink of the Balmore closure plan have claimed that "no thought" was given to the geographical location of the animal rescue facility or the logistics involved.
They also allege that animal welfare is not the main priority of the Scottish SPCA's chief executive, who has been defending the decision to shut the Caithness and Sutherland Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre from next month.
Former volunteer Vicki Edmunds has launched a petition against the closure plan and by Wednesday it had attracted more than 2700 signatures, while a Save Balmore group has been set up on Facebook.
She says there are many concerns over the decision and she has compiled a list of questions for the national charity
The SSPCA said at the end of last month that it would close two of its smaller rescue centres – one in Caithness and another in Ayr – as part of a wider strategy to expand services within the community.
Its aim is to have the animals moved by October 1, although the official closure date is at the end of the month.
Ms Edmunds, a project worker, volunteered at the centre before the pandemic and has adopted many animals from there over the years.
She questioned whether the SSPCA's chief executive Kirsteen Campbell – who was in Caithness this week – should be in the post as "it appears to be blatantly clear that animal welfare is not her main priority".
Ms Edmunds claimed "no real solutions" had been put forward by the charity.
She said: "The Caithness population requests to be shown the feasibility study that has been carried out on the closure of a vital rural centre. A Freedom of Information request will be submitted if not provided.
"On Monday, September 11, there were 32 animals in Balmore and they are still receiving because of space problems nationally. Where are these animals going to be removed to?
"We believe that all centres have been trained in the 'Quality of Life Procedure' except Balmore staff. Is euthanasia planned as part of the Balmore closure?
"The SSPCA web page is closed for foster volunteering in Caithness – where are foster homes being sought?
"What will be done for animals' mental health being shunted around between foster homes?
"How will rehoming in Caithness be ensured, when there will be unwillingness or inability to travel? ... No thought has been put into the geographical location and logistics. Is this to be reviewed?
"What happens to abandoned and injured animals when you can't get an inspector, as has previously happened?
"How does the SSPCA, with nine directors and over £1m in salaries, justify and defend this stance to close?
"Did the CEO and other high salary earners take a cost-of-living rise this year?"
A group of protesters gathered outside Balmore on Tuesday afternoon when Ms Campbell visited. They were joined by Highland councillors Matthew Reiss and Struan Mackie.
Councillor Reiss said later: "Councillor Mackie and myself asked for the closure to be paused because alternative arrangements for all the animals are not in place. The chief executive declined this.
"I think this is likely to become an avoidable public relations quagmire for the SSPCA nationally.”
Ms Campbell said: “We understand that the closure of the centre is causing concern locally. The decision has been taken with the intent of expanding the service we provide in Caithness and the north of Scotland.
“Our animal helpline, local inspectors and animal rescue officers will continue to be there every single day of the year to respond to urgent reports of animals in need. Our education programme will continue and we will run workshops for children and young people locally.
"We are also expanding our speakers’ network and will have more capacity to deliver workshops and talks to local groups and organisations. Now, this team will also be supported by additional dedicated colleagues delivering key services such as rehoming, fostering and community engagement.
"To support all of this, we will be increasing our capability to grow our volunteering network across Scotland, with a particular initial focus on Caithness and Ayrshire.
“Across the whole of Scotland, we are seeing a shift in the type of support which animals and people need most. More and more of the issues we’re coming across are societal ones, driven by financial issues or a lack of knowledge on how best to look after a pet.
"It is far better for the pet and the person if we provide support in the household, or access to services such as Pet Aid where we can provide food and advice, so that people can keep their much-loved pet with them while they get back on their feet.
"Animal rescue goes far beyond the walls of a rescue centre, and, as more and more people turn to us for help to look after the animals in their lives, we need to adapt the way we do things to meet and get ahead of that growing demand.
“In the instances where an animal can’t stay with its owner, our plans to grow our foster network will support the rehabilitation of animals within a home environment, which is better for their welfare.
"We understand that there will always be animals who need expert support and rehabilitation through a rescue and rehoming centre and we will still care for animals from the north through our other rescue and rehoming centres.
“We’re committed to working with the people and communities in Caithness and the north of Scotland, as we have for decades, to make sure we provide the animal rescue service they need.”
A spokesman said on Wednesday the charity had made it clear that it will not euthanise any animals at the centre and they will all be rehomed, fostered or moved to another centre.
The SSPCA is about to launch recruitment for foster homes in Caithness and the wider north of Scotland.
The spokesman said the intention is to move the animals at the centre to new foster or permanent homes, or another centre, in the coming days.
He said: "The team at the centre are actively involved in that process. We aim to have the animals moved by October 1, though we will be preparing the property to hand back to the landlord by the end of October, hence the stated closure date."
He added: "In January of this year, all Scottish SPCA colleagues received a flat pay increase rather than a percentage of salary. This meant people on lower salaries received a higher percentage increase to their salary. This increase did not apply to directors. We are a Real Living Wage employer."