Home / Business and Economy / Shelter Saved by Community Spirit: Lancashire East Branch to Stay Open
Shelter Saved by Community Spirit: Lancashire East Branch to Stay Open
26 Jun
Summary
- Community donations and corporate sponsors raised £110,000 in four months.
- The animal center faced closure due to projected deficits of £180,000.
- The shelter will remain open for at least another year thanks to this support.
The RSPCA's Lancashire East Branch Animal Centre, located near Accrington, has been granted a reprieve from closure, ensuring its operation for at least the next year. The shelter, a vital resource for abused, neglected, and abandoned animals for over five decades, faced imminent closure in February due to severe financial challenges.
Rising costs for utilities, veterinary care, and maintenance, coupled with increased National Insurance contributions, led to a projected deficit of £180,000 by the end of the year. This financial strain had prompted discussions about mothballing kennel facilities and transitioning to a fostering-focused model.
However, an extraordinary response from the local community provided a lifeline. In just four months, individual donations reached £77,000, supplemented by an additional £33,000 from corporate sponsors. This collective effort, totaling £110,000, has given the center the confidence to remain operational, with hopes of extending its services beyond the next year.
Center manager Jeanette Ainscough expressed profound gratitude, describing the situation as a "rollercoaster of emotions" but celebrating the "true Lancashire spirit" that prevailed. Chief executive officer James Stevens echoed these sentiments, highlighting the "overwhelming public response" and a generous legacy gift that together have provided a vital "lifeline."
