SSPCA says the redundancies are essential to keep its animal care and investigations running. Staff have complained of “chronic low pay”
Staff at Scotland’s animal protection charity have been told to brace themselves for staff cuts due to a cash crisis.
The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has today invited staff to join a “voluntary severance register” to try to avoid compulsory redundancies.
Emails have been sent to all staff outlining the situation and bosses have been drawing up plans for how the body can operate with reduced worker numbers.
The animal watchdog has suffered from declining public donations and has been forced to close facilities as the pinch sets in.
In November this year, SSPCA workers voted to take industrial action over claims of “chronic low pay”.
But management claim the funding crisis is putting the future of the organisation in peril – meaning the painful cuts must be made.
The axe has already fallen on key members of staff but management say they are trying to keep job losses as low as possible.
Chief Executive Mark Bishop said: “The Scottish SPCA has been here for 186 years – not just rescuing and rehoming animals, but supporting communities, developing pioneering programmes, and securing lasting change to improve animal welfare.
“Like many others across the charity sector, our costs have increased significantly, from running our centres and keeping our vans on the road, to feeding and caring for the rising number of animals who need our help.
“Our priority remains the welfare of animals across Scotland, and every decision we take is guided by that.”
The organisation said it would be “committed to transparency and compassion” throughout the process and management hope compulsory redundancies can be avoided.
The charity is not funded by government and must compete for funds with other charities.
Resources have been swallowed up by an explosion in rehoming, caused Scots taking in pets during covid and the spread of the breeding of designer dogs.
A spokesperson said: “We are completely reliant on public donations and, like many organisations across the charity sector, we are facing considerable financial pressures.
“Rising costs to deliver services and maintain facilities, coupled with a challenging fundraising climate, have placed increasing strain on resources.
“The charity has been managing a planned deficit, and action is needed to secure its long-term sustainability.
“Difficult decisions must be made to protect the organisation’s future – animals across Scotland depend on it.”
The Unite union has previously claimed the charity has millions in reserves, and its new boss earns a “bumper” six-figure salary while workers have had a real terms pay cut.
The SSPCA operates rescue centres around the country, supports pet owners and investigates crimes against animals.
Unite members at the SSPCA look after the feeding, cleaning, and general health of animals, including members of the veterinary team, animal rescue workers, inspectors who deal with animal neglect and helpline workers.
The charity has headquarters in Dunfermline and Cardonald, Glasgow.
