Heating oil leak highlighted in plea for Balmore rethink
A Highland councillor has challenged the Scottish SSPCA over the planned closure of its Balmore animal rescue facility, highlighting the oil spill affecting the River Thurso to support his call for a change of heart.
Matthew Reiss wrote on Monday to the charity's chief executive Kirsteen Campbell outlining a number of concerns and asking her to "seriously reconsider" the decision to shut the Caithness and Sutherland Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre.
He pointed to the recent leak of heating oil at Thurso High School, which is the subject of an ongoing investigation, and warned there could be a danger to wildlife and family pets.
The SSPCA said at the end of last month that it would close two of its smaller animal rescue centres – the one in Caithness and another in Ayr – as part of a wider strategy to expand services within the community. Balmore is due to shut in October.
Ms Campbell is in Caithness on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.
Councillor Reiss, who represents Thurso and Northwest Caithness, told Ms Campbell he had been "shaken" to hear the news about the "much-loved" centre and wondered why the closure plans had come forward.

He wrote: "There is an oil spill in the River Thurso. Fish, wildfowl and otters are at risk, as are dogs going into the water. The SSPCA is aware and on standby, being the only effective agency for day-to-day emergency animal welfare here, with Inverness 110 miles away. Cats Protection is in the county and offers an excellent service but only in respect of felines.
"Balmore is full – the local vets have minimal capacity. I understand your Inverness centre is also full and very few animal foster carers are available here. Where will the current animals, especially dogs, go?
"Balmore treats animals from Orkney. Are they to now have to travel to Inverness? The welfare considerations are significant.
"Balmore is in good condition, speaking practically, and on my visits it is clear the animals are very well looked after indeed. I used to be a police officer here and have visited many times.
"Your centre is highly regarded by local people, and rightly so. The charitable giving by so many over the years has been remarkable – Balmore is truly much loved."
Councillor Reiss added: "I have studied your latest annual report, where there is, rightly, considerable emphasis on animal welfare – it will be hard to maintain this by closing the excellent facilities at Balmore.
"I also wonder if thought has been given to rationalising the senior management structure, where I was taken aback to see some of the salaries available."
Ms Campbell replied the same day, saying she appreciated Councillor Reiss's "frankness" and assuring him that the SSPCA will be happy to respond to his questions. She offered to meet him while she is in the county.
Meanwhile, a petition to save Balmore, set up by former volunteer Vicki Edmunds, now has more than 2500 signatures.