Annual Review of 2013

The chance to reflect on the year gone by is both a melancholy and celebratory experience. There have been some prevailing themes in 2013 that are alluded to in our annual statistics below.

Animal Adoption	2012	2013
Cats	276	250
Dogs	53	41
Rabbits	63	88
Misc	19	16
Total	411	395

Admissions	2012	2013
Cats	295	262
Dogs	62	52
Rabbits	81	92
Misc	19	16
Total	457	422

               

The reduction in cat adoption and admission figures in 2013 is quite striking. This year has seen what can only be described as a cat crisis. Back at the beginning of August I reported via the blog just how dire the situation had become. Across the country RSPCA branches were in serious trouble trying to cope with the sheer volume of adult cats and kittens being abandoned, rescued and relinquished. There seemed to be fewer homes than ever on offer for adult cats and by September the national RSPCA launched nationwide appeals for help on behalf of all the branches. The rehoming figures that you see above are largely compiled of kittens.

A decrease in neutering of owned animals was the reason for this crisis. In order for the cat population to remain stable 92% need to be neutered. The country was estimated to have reached a low of 89% and this small fluctuation was what was creating this terrible state of affairs. Our branch responded by teaming up with the RSPCA Greater Manchester Animal Hospital to launch a free cat neutering initiative, but despite the additional offer of free transport and free microchipping the uptake was disappointing.

The second striking thing about the figures is the reduction in dog adoption and admissions. This is down to one thing only; the number of dogs coming into our care requiring long-term rehabilitation as a result of their neglectful pasts. We have seen some sickening cases of animal cruelty this year, many of which have been endured by our canine friends. The immediate one that springs to everyone’s mind is Buster.

RSPCA inspectors investigated a complaint about a dog that had been left with horrific, untreated injuries. Buster had been attacked by members of the family he had lived with during the four years of his life and suffered unimaginable pain. This was no doubt worsened as the days went on as his deep wounds became infected.

We got Buster two weeks after he had been rescued by the RSPCA inspectors and you can see from the pictures just how revolting the wounds are. Buster defied all logic and reason; he was the most friendly and affectionate soul and oozed confidence and happiness when he was around us all. Some speculated that he was likely relieved to have come to a place of safety. Whatever the case may be he was a treasured soul.

Alas, Buster was denied the ultimate happy ever after when his life was cut tragically short. After weeks of veterinary intervention, when he was ready to be rehomed, he went off for neutering never to return. Tragically his heart stopped whilst under anaesthetic and he could not be resuscitated; such a rare and brutal occurrence and one that left us all reeling.

Buster represents one of many that we’ve had to spend weeks, and sometimes months, undoing the harm that has been caused by their previous owners. Denzel is one of the latest admissions, following the discovery that he had been kept locked in a room for six months, never let out and living knee-deep in his own faeces and urine.

Denzel is another remarkable animal who was clearly once a well-loved and well-looked after dog before being taken on by his last owner. Denzel, although suffering with agoraphobia as a result of his prolonged solitary confinement, has a great passion for people and desire to be their companion. Denzel will be placed up for adoption shortly and will make someone’s life complete.

Denzel dog

Reflecting on the rabbit adoption and admission figures it is clear that we will never, ever be able to meet the demand for spaces for rabbits. This year it has been commonplace for RSPCA inspectors to encounter homes where there have been up to 50, 100 and even 200 rabbits in just one dwelling. The sheer volume that are rescued, found unwanted and abandoned is worsening year on year and it’s all because of inadequate care and knowledge of the species.

We typically see cases of neglect resulting in emaciated rabbits with severe muscle atrophy due to being confined to live in tiny hutches, often without water, bedding or regular access to food. Brady was a victim of this level of deprivation. He was being kept in a 2ft hutch barely able to move. He had no access to food, water or bedding. He was living in inches deep of his own faeces, so bad that it was spilling out the hutch.

Brady tucking in.

Brady was lucky to survive. He required a good long while to build up his strength and get used to space and gradually being introduced to weight bearing exercise, but he made it and he loved his new found freedom. Even more incredible was just how much he loved our attention. He has since gone on to find the home he deserved as a house rabbit.

Brady, now Baker, tucking in to his Christmas dinner 

100% of the animals that we admitted during 2013 were RSPCA generated animals. In the majority of cases someone had failed to meet the needs of their animal whether through neglect, cruel treatment or abandonment. We do have a small proportion that is born in our care: rabbit kittens and feline kittens and they are always a source of great joy and delight!

We also help owned animals by offering free microchipping and free neutering to people on low incomes. This year we have, admittedly, scaled back on our microchipping activity in favour of fundraising events to make sure that we can fund the work that we do but we have still been able to help a sizable sum of animals.

Free Neutering	2012	2013
Cats	44	73*
Dogs	1	1
Rabbits	25	4
Total	70	78

*does not include animals neutered via the RSPCA animal hospital scheme

Free Microchipping	2012	2013
Cats	99	189
Dogs	262	80
Rabbits	39	28
Misc	3	14
Total	403	311

A review of our activity must always include the contribution of our charity shops. Typically, in the past, they have raised enough money to fund at least 50% of our animal rehoming activity, but this year has proven disappointing. The first quarter of 2013 saw record low takings with fewer people seemingly having disposable income and fewer people than ever before donating their unwanted items. Some shops struggled to even break even during this period and it was an anxious time.

The launch of our fourth shop at the beginning of the year was blighted by the same struggle. It ran at a loss for so many months that we began to lose hope that we could ever make it work. But as the summer arrived all our shops began to flourish once more and the fourth shop, in the Northern Quarter, began to take off.

The Northern Quarter shop was broken into over Christmas causing £1k in damages

Whilst I am greatly relieved to be able to report that the shops have made us a profit in 2013 we are far from at the point of celebrating, instead we are focusing hard on working together to make sure we maximise our available resources to raise as much money as possible in 2014.

What we have learnt the hard way is that we can no longer rely on the shops for a stable stream of income and have to turn to ever more ingenious ways of fundraising, such as the Imperial War Museum Zipslide Challenge that we held in October. This, to date, is the branch’s most successful fundraising event ever. It raised over £9,000 thanks to 51 people who courageously zipped down a very thin line across the Manchester Ship Canal! The pressure is on to match the thrill of this event but we have something very exciting planned for 2014 that might just top it.

The last area that I feel is important to discuss is the branch’s successful use of social media and online resources. Whilst this is very much a team effort it is primarily orchestrated by just one person, our Chair. She spends hours innovating, researching and learning how best to promote our work. It’s thanks to this dedication that we now have thousands of followers via Facebook and Twitter who show us such generous support and acts of kindness. We’ve recruited countless new volunteers, received tremendous responses to appeals and rehomed so very many animals as a result of our social media activity. It really is quite humbling to see how much people value the work that we do and to know that there are so many people behind us. Above all we benefit from being reminded that people really do care and that motivates us to carry on.

Hannah picture after completing the Manchester Marathon in aid of the branch

As I come to the end of the annual review I once again find myself immensely proud of our branch’s contribution to animal welfare. It may not seem a lot to some, but given that we do not have an animal centre, and we only have two full time animal staff, I think we achieve an awful lot with very little. In 2014 my aim is to ensure we maintain the same level of activity, continue to provide as much support as we can to our colleagues in the field and offer the best level of care to the animals rescued from harm.

My thanks go to all the many volunteers and supporters of the branch. They are the ones who actually enable us to fulfil our charitable obligations. Without them we would be nothing and the animals would have nothing. It’s thanks to you that we exist and we never forget that or take you for granted.

The staff at the branch is a very special species that should not go unmentioned. When they are out walking dogs in rain drenched gales or sorting through vomit covered donations left on a shop doorstep, they do this only because they know they will make a difference to an animal’s life that day. It often seems to me that their motivation to improve the well-being of animals holds no bounds. Few clock watch, few work to rule and few think twice about giving up their spare time to help with fundraisers, conduct a home visit or just make sure that everything is just so.  

Whilst people may be the cause of all the suffering and pain they are also the solution and saviours. Thank you to everyone who keeps RSPCA Manchester & Salford Branch going; we need you and want you by our side.