Suella Braverman recently visited The Stubbington Ark, a locally registered branch of the RSPCA, to learn about how the charity has been coping in light of the current crisis.
The Stubbington Ark provides care, rehabilitation and rehoming for an electic range of animals, from domestic to exotics, and there are usually more than 250 animals on site at any one time.
Although The Stubbington Ark has, thankfully, been able to reopen safely, it is current operating at reduced capacity for prospective adopters. Entirely self-funded, the charity is now increasingly reliant on local fundraising initiatives and community support during this difficult time.
Kindly accompanied around the facility by Kirsite, the animal centre manager, and Rachel, income generation manger, Mrs Braverman was informed about a current project that is now reliant on the generosity of local residents: a new cattery.
The charity is in urgent need of a new cattery; their ‘Intake Cattery’, which formerly provided 88 spaces for cats in need, has been reduced to just 36 units. In order to take-in between 500-1000 cats each year – their average for a normal year – a new cattery is needed as soon as possible. This year, for context, they could only take in 150.
The charity has already raised £250,000 towards the build, which will cost an estimated £400,000, but desperately needs to gather the remaining funds to start construction.
A specific account has been set up for this exciting project, and there are a variety of ways to make a donation. If interested, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/arkcatteryrebuild.
Commenting Suella said:
“We are a nation of animal lovers, and we owe an enormous debt to local animal welfare charities, such as the Stubbington Ark, for the work they do in saving animals in need.
The Stubbington Ark’s project for a new cattery is an incredible opportunity to further this cause, and I encourage residents to, if possible, offer a small donation to help vulnerable cats in need of shelter.
More generally, I would also encourage people to simply visit the shelter whenever possible – although, at the current time, you should make an appointment – because after all, who doesn’t love spending time with, and crucially helping, the animals we all love and cherish.”
