RSPCA cash rescue plea

APPEAL . . . RSPCA operations director Denise McCabe

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THE Oldham branch of the RSPCA has appealed for help as the charity faces a £200,000 funding shortfall for its new home.

A £1.7million budget was set for the large-scale building project before work began at the new site in Holgate Street, on the edge of Strinesdale Country Park.

Staff at the Bury, Oldham and district branch of the animal rescue charity said they have relied heavily on the support of generous Oldhamers. Operations director Denise McCabe said: "We've spent £1.5million so far but we are still short by about £200,000 to complete the site. To make this a more achievable aim we set ourselves an interim target of £50,000 this month or next.

"We looked at what local people wanted and that included extra facilities for animals and extending veterinary help. Oldham sadly has a high level of deprivation so we are trying to provide additional services to help people. For example, we are hoping our clinic and neutering will be available for five days rather than the two we originally offered.

"The unfortunate thing is lots of people think that because we are the RSPCA we are part of a big organisation and have lots of resources.

"But we are classed as separate charities and have not had help from head office.

"We rely on the public. We do need help.

"The funds raised will go towards the building which will rehabilitate the neglected, abandoned or abused animals that come into our care, giving them their second chance of finding a forever loving home."

Extensive conversion work has been carried out at the former United Utilities building to enable it to function as the flagship Animal Care Centre for Oldham.

Emmanuel Whittaker began construction work in February, 2015. Almost two years later, most of the building and animal accommodation is complete.

However, outdoor exercise paddocks, an outdoor shelter for staff, paving, fencing and landscaping are yet to be started. There is also work to be done in the first-floor office space.

The RSPCA estimate that there is still £150,000 needed for these external works and £50,000 required to complete the internal building works which includes flooring, bathrooms, furniture and decoration.

Ms McCable said: "Our priority has been getting the downstairs animal accommodation ready. We are now looking for help to finish the outdoor areas and offices which enable the whole centre to function.

"We have completed most of the mandatory aspects. We could open at a push but we would not be able to provide all of the services.

"In this campaign, we are asking residents to sponsor dog kennels, cat kennels and exercise areas as well as supporting via general donations."

She added: "It doesn't have to be cash. We are desperate for flooring for the upper rooms, internal decoration of the upper floor rooms, a bathroom and office furniture chairs."

Residents are also invited to buy a virtual brick or plaque, or to sponsor a dog or cat kennel.

Oldham-based chartered surveyors Breakey & Nuttall said: "We are launching our RSPCA Challenge to raise £50,000 to finish their site at Strinesdale.

"They are desperately short of funds to complete the project."

The new development is twice the size of the RSPCA's former Rhodes Bank site.

It features up-to-date technology, isolated rooms for animals undergoing treatment, clinical areas, recovery spaces, socialisation rooms for dogs and cats and an energy efficient building.

Donate at www.rspca-buryoldham.org.uk/help-us-build-our-animal-centre.