Public 'up in arms' over closure of Scottish SPCA's Caithness centre
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Thurso community councillors have added to the furious backlash engendered by the decision to close the Scottish SPCA rescue centre at Balmore.
They registered their strong opposition to the move which the national charity announced as part of plans to improve its service in the far north.
Former community council chair Bert Macleod said: "It's totally ridiculous. The centre has received a lot of public money over the years."
He said the closure raises many practical issues such as what happens to stray dogs and cats currently handed into local police stations.
"If they are taken to Inverness, are the owners expected to go down there to pick them up?"
Acting secretary Iain Gregory said the issue has provoked a major public outcry.
While he believed it is too late to stop the centre closing this month, as planned by the SSPCA, the community council can campaign to press for its reopening.
Local Highland councillor Ron Gunn said: "The public have been up in arms since the closure was announced.
"A petition attracted 3500 signatures within a week and a Facebook campaign has been started up.
"The SSPCA say they want to enhance the service by closing Balmore but I don't think the alternative they are offering will work.
"I don't know if they are aware of the strength of feeling here about the issue."
Chairwoman Thelma Mackenzie said: "They think they are going to get more foster homes to look after the animals but I really don't think they have properly thought things through."
Treasurer Jean Husband said other dog and cat rescue and support charities are already "over-run" with waifs and strays.
