THE future of a Hampshire animal rescue centre is hanging in the balance, claim volunteers.

The Stubbington Ark has been taken over at short notice by the RSPCA and now staff are fearing for their jobs, a volunteer told the Echo.

Previously the centre, which opened at Ranvilles Farm in the 1980s, had been operating as an independent charity under licence from the RSPCA and was managed by three trustees. 

Following the resignation of one of the trustees on October 30, the RSPCA stepped in to take direct control, replacing the remaining two trustees with their own officers.

The news followed proposals to launch an appeal for £250,000 to replace the Ark’s crumbling cattery.

Speaking anonymously to the Echo, an Ark volunteer said: “There have been some disturbing developments at the Stubbington Ark and it is therefore with great regret that the event we had planned for December 2 to launch our fundraising campaign to rebuild our cattery has been cancelled.

“This is because the RSPCA has put us into direct trusteeship which means they have direct control over the Stubbington Ark which is very disrupting given that we are an independent charity.” 

“One of the first things they have done is to tell us to stop fundraising which is a shocking decision because the Cattery is in such a dire need of repair so unless we raise the funds to rebuild it, it could be forced to close.

“If the Cattery was forced to close, the wider impact on the Ark’s operations would be catastrophic because the cattery is the biggest part of our rescue and rehoming activity. 

“This could result in job losses at the centre of a result.”

“It begs the question as to why the RSPCA are putting is in this position.”
Councillor Sean Woodward, leader of Fareham Borough Council, said: “It would be disaster for animal welfare in south Hampshire if it was to close.”

The Ark, which serves a 400-square-mile, area is one of the largest animal centres in the country – so far this year it has taken in 216 dogs, 455 cats, 68 rabbits and 173 small animals.

An RSPCA spokesperson confirmed that one of the Ark trustee resigned in October.

“As a result, there were no longer enough local trustees to form a committee for the Branch and under RSPCA rules this automatically means the Solent Branch has been taken into National Society council trusteeship in the short term,” said the charity’ spokesperson.

The statement praised the the hard work of the Ark’s staff – including the trustees – and said that the cattery appeal had been put on hold to give the new trustees a chance to work on a business plan.

It concluded: “No jobs are at risk from the recent changes. 

“The financial position at the branch is also much improved on its position in 2016. 

“However, finances remain a constant concern for all charities and RSPCA Solent Branch welcomes support from the community to ensure they can continue helping some of society’s most needy animals.”