Devon cats' home jobs at risk

Blue Cross cares for dogs here too

Jobs are at risk at the Blue Cross charity which runs pet rehoming centres in Devon.

The national charity says 110 staff are in consultation about possible redundancies after the coronavirus pandemic hit finances. Its work in Devon includes rehoming centres in Tiverton and Torquay, where jobs are understood to be at risk.

The Torquay base opened in 1988 and has a cattery with 50 places at Maidencombe. The Tiverton operation at Bickleigh opened in 1985 and has places for 26 dogs and 22 cats, plus facilities for puppies and kittens.

The charity declined to comment on the future of the sites during the consultation period with staff.

Blue Cross also runs local rehoming services in Devon with volunteers and provides vet clinics. It says it has to find £1 million of savings in 2021 due to the pandemic.

It said in a statement: “It is with deep regret that Blue Cross confirms that the charity has entered into consultation with 110 employees whose jobs have been placed at risk of redundancy.

“The incredibly difficult decision to enter into consultation has come following a challenging period in which Blue Cross has explored several options to ensure financial sustainability for the charity and its work going forward. 

“We are extremely thankful to our dedicated teams for the services they have delivered over the last 12 months, in which the charity helped 4,831 animals through our rehoming and behaviour services, treated over 32,000 pets through our veterinary work and reached nearly 10 million people through our outreach and advice. 

“Our colleagues have done this in difficult circumstances and in what has been a year like no other.

 “But, like so many other charities, we are not immune to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, which has had a significant impact on our financial position.

“The reality is we need to make £1 million worth of savings in 2021. We also need the right structure in place to ensure we are best placed to fulfil our three-year strategy to help more pets and people who need our help across the UK. 

“We know this will be a difficult and unsettling time for those affected. Their wellbeing is of the highest priority to us. Each of our colleagues will be fully supported by our elected employee representatives, by their managers and our Executive Team.

“We must reiterate that as part of the consultation period, we will ensure all alternatives to individual redundancies are explored. We also wish to reassure supporters and colleagues while the consultation process is taking place, the charity and its staff and volunteers will still be carrying out all of our vital services and support for pet owners.

“Blue Cross will be keeping our colleagues fully updated on the consultation process, and once the process has been concluded, we will update all our stakeholders and valued supporters at the earliest opportunity with any decisions made.”

The charity published a three-year strategy in February 2021 with plans for “sustainable” growth. It said costs had been cut by £6million due to an £8million drop in income during the pandemic in 2020, and the charity aimed to balance the budget in 2022.

The strategy outlined plans for four new Rehoming Advice and Behaviour Units in the north of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with increased use of foster carers and Homes Direct, where pets stay in their home until being found a new one. It outlined plans to invest in advice services and fundraising, including an upgrade to its website.

Figures published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales reported total income for 2019 of just under £40million, with just over £30million from donations and legacies. It had 774 employees and 5,000 volunteers.

The Blue Cross appointed a new chief executive from June 2020. Chris Burghes was previously CEO of the Royal Free Charity, the charitable arm of the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.