RSPCA will cut jobs after £5.7m drop in legacies
The RSPCA plans to move away from its reliance on legacy income.
Jobs will be cut at the RSPCA after the charity suffered a £5.7 million drop in legacy donations last year. As part of a sustainability programme, the charity will be focusing on its frontline animal welfare work in future.
As well as a dip in legacies, donations and contributions to the RSPCA fell by £1.3m, according to the 2013 trustees' report and accounts.
Furthermore, net cash outflow from operations was £6.1m last year. RSPCA chairman Mike Tomlinson said the figures are “clearly unsustainable and show that things cannot continue as they are.”
Despite falling donations, the charity says it was asked to investigate nearly 3,000 more animal cruelty complaints last year, spending £87m on animal welfare.
This figure includes £4.5m spent on emergency boarding for animals in the RSPCA's care when there was no space in its centres.
The charity says it will now focus on its animal rescue work. Previously, it has come under fire for the amount of money spent on private prosecutions, most notably the case against Heythrop Hunt in Oxfordshire, which cost more than £300,000.
The charity plans to move away from its reliance on legacy income by diversifying into new areas such as events and business.
“However, these are long term plans and the RSPCA has to address the reduction in our income in the short term,” Mr Tomlinson explained.
Part of the charity's sustainability plan will involve a staffing review, leading to restructuring and loss of some posts.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
