Dog owners 'shocked and very disappointed' at Balmore closure

The owners of an ex-Balmore dog say they are "shocked and very disappointed" at the decision to close the Scottish SPCA animal rescue and rehoming centre for Caithness and Sutherland.

Allan Tait and his family acquired Dex, a Parson Russell Terrier, six years ago after a few visits to the Balmore shelter near Dounreay. They found the adoption process "really easy" but Mr Tait believes it will be a different matter if the nearest SSPCA centre is in Inverness.

Campaigners are demanding a rethink by the national animal welfare charity. A Save Balmore group has attracted more than 1500 members on Facebook, while a petition to save the centre has gathered over 3700 signatures.

The SSCPA announced last month that Balmore would close by the end of October but the final animals have already been removed. The centre will be handed back to its owners on October 31.

Mr Tait and his wife Lorraine live in Wick and have two sons.

"As a family we were shocked and very disappointed to hear the news about the closure of Balmore," Mr Tait said.

"It is nearly six years to the day that after lots of talking about adding a dog to the family we decided to take a run up to Balmore 'just for a look'.

"Needless to say, once we had seen 10-month-old Dex we knew he was the dog for us, despite hearing how he had been deported from Orkney due to bad behaviour.

"We had him home after a few weeks and there is not a day we aren’t glad that we took that run over to Balmore – even if his terrier traits have given me the odd grey hair over the years.

"The process was really easy. We went up a visit the next two weekends until he was ready for the permanent move.

"SSPCA staff came for a house visit to make sure the garden and so on would be suitable for him.

"I can't imagine the adopting experience will be anywhere near as smooth if the nearest centre is in Inverness, and that is a worry both for individuals looking to take on an animal and of course the animals themselves."

Mr Tait added: "In my job as a senior development officer at Caithness Voluntary Group we are very aware of the impact on people's mental health of the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis.

"There is lots of evidence that pets can be a big help in improving your mental health – we can vouch for that since Dex came into our lives. The SSPCA and centres like Balmore play a significant role in the community, so I really hope there is a change of mind."

A spokesperson for the SSPCA said: “Many studies show pets do have a positive effect on mental health, and anyone who has been fortunate enough to own a pet will know the joy and companionship they can bring to your life.

"One of the new roles we have created in our expanded service offering is to deliver community engagement, which will involve working with mental health organisations, community groups and people with mental health conditions who own pets to ensure they have access to the support and services they need.

“Two colleagues who worked at the Balmore centre have chosen to take up new roles and will continue to work with the local community. As rehoming and fostering coordinators for the area, they will ensure that the adoption process is as seamless as possible for anyone who is considering pet adoption with the Scottish SPCA and the animal they are taking home.

“All of these roles will help to deliver expanded services which are tailored to the needs of the local community.”

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