THE RSPCA has confirmed the immediate closure of its animal centre in Bradford.

The charity’s Bradford & District Branch’s animal centre and welfare clinic in Mount Street closed its doors today after it was deemed no longer financially viable.

The decision followed a 30-day consultation with staff, who were told of the decision today.

The centre’s signs, including its main blue RSPCA lettering, have been taken down.

Twelve people were employed at the animal centre and clinic in a mixture of full and part-time roles.

The charity confirmed contingency plans were in place for animals in need, with its officers continuing to be “active in dealing with sick, injured, abandoned and abused animals in Bradford and the surrounding areas”.

James Stevens, the RSPCA’s assistant director of field operations north, said: “Unfortunately, the consultation failed to identify any alternative to the proposed closure given the financial situation the branch is in.

“The branch has recorded operational deficits for a number of years and has increasingly relied on legacy income which is now in decline.

“It was therefore getting harder to meet the operating costs of the centre and clinic.

“Sadly the position has continued to deteriorate throughout this year.

“In addition, the animal centre needs substantial investment to bring it up to the standards necessary for moving forwards and the funds for this are simply not available.”

The charity previously said the animal centre and clinic, which cost £608,167 to run last year, could not continue at its current level after recording operational deficits for a number of years.

Mr Stevens said: “We know that the public would want us to keep the centre and clinic open – indeed we would want to keep it open if we could but unfortunately it just is not possible.

“Please be reassured that we will do all we can to make sure there are contingency plans for the animals in need in the area so that they continue to receive the care and treatment they require.”

A letter from David Bowles, the RSPCA’s assistant director of public affairs, sent to Bradford East MP Imran Hussain earlier this month revealed the increasing cost of keeping the centre open.

Mr Bowles revealed the expenditure of the centre was £860,000 last year, with a legacy income reduced from almost £232,000 in 2014 to just over £56,000. Reserves had decreased from £1.1 million in 2010, to £532,00 by the end of last year.

Mr Hussain wrote to the RSPCA after being concerned about the impact of the closure of the centre.

The centre took in the most abused and neglected animals in the Bradford district from RSPCA officers. The clinic provided reduced-cost veterinary treatment, neutering and micro-chipping.

The number of pet animals taken in by the branch had also decreased year-on-year for the past three years, and downward trend continued during the first six months of 2016. The centre took in 316 pet animals last year, 448 in 2014 and 572 in 2013.

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