12 months on...
30/01/2008 12 months ago the Coventry RSPCA launched a 2 year appeal to raise £1.3 million. The much needed funds is required to rebuild the dog kennels and small animal unit along plus surrounding facilities buildings.

Yet one year on and the centre is no closer to rebuilding; just £180,000 raised so far. £600,000 of the huge target needs to be raised locally and despite many fantastic offers of support, the future of the centre remains uncertain. The fact that the centre may be forced to close will shock many local people especially as it has the highest rehoming figures in the region (RSPCA Wales and West region).

Last year a total of 1181 animals found new homes compared with 1027 in 2005, that’s 154 more animals. A further 38 dogs were rehomed in 2006 compared with 2005 which is remarkable considering 6 kennels were taken out of commission for most of the year because of their poor state of disrepair.
Some of the animals arrive in poor condition; 340 of the centres’ animals were taken from their owners by RSPCA Inspectors because of their poor living conditions or because they weren’t receiving the care they needed. These animals need a lot of TLC and the dedicated animal care assistants spend their time working to help rehabilitate them. Last year the centre spent £50,000 on veterinary treatments alone.

The centre is working very hard to raise the money to be able to keep the centre open and provide the animals with suitable accommodation. Local branches in Rugby and Nuneaton have worked closely with the Coventry Branch, supporting the centre with sizeable donations to the appeal.
A temporary block with six kennels has been erected and should be open in the forthcoming weeks however this is just the first phase of the rebuild with a second phase being planned to replace more of the ageing kennels.

The hard working staff, branch trustees and dedicated volunteers are renewing appeals for people to come forward and support the centre; whether they donate to the appeal, supporting us at an event or by organise their own fundraising event.

Centre Manager Nikki Smith says “Everyone is keen to ensure that we do raise the funds to rebuild even if it means we have to take longer to achieve the major rebuild we would like. Every penny really counts and the closure of the centre would have a huge effect on animal welfare in the area. I urge the animal loving people of Coventry and Warwickshire to help and support us and fight to keep RSPCA Coventry Animal Centre open.”