Charity Supporters Upset at Plans to Close Adoption Centres
Written by Marion Parker, supporter of Felixstowe Blue Cross
Over the last six months, The Blue Cross has undertaken a widespread review of animal welfare needs and its ability to meet those needs. Extensive research conducted by the charity identified that animal welfare issues in some areas of the country, such as the North West, are not being sufficiently addressed.
As a result, The Blue Cross has developed a new strategy to focus its efforts and investment in areas where it can have the greatest impact on animal welfare needs. It is proposing to close two animal adoption centres and an equine rest and retirement centre, Felixstowe and Northiam (East Sussex).
Proposals are currently being discussed with staff under a consultation period, which comes to a close on Friday 5th March. The Blue Cross says that the centres in Felixstowe and Northiam and no longer fit for purpose and that the size and location of both sites make them unsuitable for redevelopment.
The volunteers and supporters of the Felixstowe Blue Cross are extremely upset about this proposal. Whilst they agreed that the current facilities at Felixstowe are in need of modernisation, they do not believe that this makes it unfit for purpose. If it proves impractical to expand the current site, there are possible alternative sites locally. Information has been provided to the Blue Cross for further investigation.
Whilst, the volunteers and supporters understand that there may well be an unfulfilled need for animal welfare in the North West, they are extremely concerned that by closing Felixstowe, they will be abandoning the vulnerable animals of Suffolk and the charity is likely to lose the valuable support and respect of the people of Suffolk.
With the current economy in a bad way, surely now is not the time for The Blue Cross to risk turning its back on Suffolk and losing 25,000+ supporters. With the help of its friends, and with good will on both sides, the volunteers and the trustees can help get the The Blue Cross through this difficult economic period.
Another concern is that the Blue Cross do not yet have a specific location in mind in the North West and say it is one of several areas they are evaluating to see where their particular services can have the greatest impact. They say that if, after the consultation period, it is decided to close both sites, operations at both locations would wind down over the following few months.
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With no definite area in mind and hence a new suitable site yet to be found, it makes no sense to close the existing centres so quickly when it’s going to take years to get the new site up and running. It would make more sense to keep both centres running at least until the new site is fully established in the North West.
Whilst The Blue Cross have said that other local animal charities would be able to cope if Felixstowe closes, the volunteers have contacted a number of these other charities and they all have said they would struggle to cope as they are full now with waiting lists. Last year Felixstowe rehomed 400+ dogs and cats.
In support of Felixstowe’s Blue Cross, a “Save Felixstowe’s Blue Cross” facebook page was set up with 7,964 supporters to date. Also a local newspaper campaign resulted in a petition of 16,300 signatures, which was handed over to Christian Bamber, Director of Service Delivery on Friday 26th February.
This amounts to approximately 25,000 supporters. A “Protest on the Prom” was held on a cold, wet and windy Sunday in February. 300+ supporters holding banners and many accompanied by their canine friends marched along the seafront in a peaceful protest.
The proposed closure has also been featured on BBC’s “Look East” and on ITV’s Anglia Tonight and both included interviews with ex Blue Peter presenter, Peter Purves, who, whilst supporting the Blue Cross as a charity, does not think it makes sense to close the Felixstowe and Northiam centres. A couple of our volunteers have also been interviewed on Radio Suffolk and six volunteers have met with the Chief Executive, Kim Hamilton to exchange views.
Ultimately, if this proposal comes to fruition, it will likely cause more animal suffering, at least in the short term, until the new centre is built. It seems a great shame to close two centres which are highly successful and greatly loved in their local communities.
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