As the RSPCA marks its 200th anniversary, the Isle of Wight branch is marking 55 years of helping animals with a behind-the-scenes look at some amazing achievements, thanks to dedicated staff and volunteers. The world’s oldest animal welfare charity was formed 200 years ago this week after a small group of people met in a coffee shop determined to change animals’ lives and launched the SPCA on 16th June 1824. The charity was later given Royal patronage by Queen Victoria to become the RSPCA in 1840. In 1969, local like-minded people came together in Rookley to support the work of the RSPCA at a local community level. Since then the branch, based at Bohemia Corner, has gone from strength to strength and in the last decade it has rehomed 4,126 animals. The centre currently has facilities for dogs, cats, wildlife and small furries including rabbits, guinea pigs, rats and hamsters. Often animals that come into the branch care have endured horrendous suffering and neglect. The work at the centre is funded by 3 charity shops and relies on the generous donations from members of the public and also dedicated volunteers whose help is invaluable. Hannah Allen-Western, Animal Centre Manager said:
“For almost 2 centuries, the RSPCA has been changing minds, laws, industries and lives to create a better world for animals and people alike. We have come a long way in 200 years but there is still so much more to do. “Here in the Isle of Wight Branch we have achieved so much in our 55 year history and we are still here to help animals in need and their owners who need us more than ever due to the cost of living crisis. “The RSPCA is getting more calls about abandoned animals, neglect is on the rise, rehoming has been declining sharply – meaning thousands fewer rescue pets are being adopted – but more animals are coming into our care. “At the same time while caring for the animals we are faced with increased bills and less donations due to the financially difficult economic climate. But together we can help animals and everyone can do their bit from donating funds to our cause, volunteering or even dropping goods off at our charity shops. “We would also ask people to really consider rehoming a pet rather than buying one – together we can make the world a better place for animals.”
To mark the branch’s amazing history, Hannah Allen-Western has shared some of the achievements of the branch and some of the people who help support animals and people in the local community. In her own words…
Meet some of our amazing volunteers
From cat socialisers to dog walkers, event fundraisers, receptionists and cleaners – we rely so heavily on volunteers to help us continue our life-saving work. Here are a few members of the dedicated team who love helping out. Sue Burden has been volunteering since 2019 as a receptionist and you might have seen her attending events with her bucket. Sue chose to volunteer with as she loves animals, wanted to meet new people, work with our friendly staff and make a difference. 
Charity Shops
The local charity shops play an important part in providing financial income for the Isle of Wight Branch to assist with the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of animals within the branch area. There are many volunteer roles available to suit a variety of skills and abilities including merchandising, customer service to name but a few. There are shops at 33-35 High Street in Ventnor, 6 Carisbrooke Road in Newport, 43-45 High Street in Sandown. All shops would also welcome donations of all types of goods which they can sell to raise much-needed funds. 
Fostering
Fosterers provide temporary sanctuary to animals who aren’t quite ready to be rehomed, such as those recovering from surgery, mums-to-be, orphaned youngsters or hand-rears, and those who are involved in ongoing investigations and can’t be rehomed until the conclusion of a court case. Moving animals into home environments can help them have a faster recovery or prepare them for life in their forever home once they are adopted. It also helps to free up space in the centre for other animals who may need help. Foster carer Su said:
“I like to foster cats to help the charity and all the cats needing to find their forever homes. Some cats struggle in the cattery environment, I can give them a home environment, so they are ready to find their new homes.”
It only has about 30 animals in it’s care, why was ten’s of thousands spent on improving the Rookley branch ?
When you try to get help they give you a central number where they try to fob you off.
Friends of the Animals is where my money goes rather than my donations paying £160000 a year plus
for the RSPCA CEO’S wage.
Thag is true when you ring The RSPCA, they don’t want to know.
Friends of the animals are genuine.
RSPCA have also started a rebranding exercise with a new logo.
How much does that all cost with design consultants thrown into the mix.
They have no interest in rescuing animals unless it’s domestic animals.
Friends of the animals – that’s where your money should be going.
I have been involved with the Animal Home in Godshill since the early 1980’s.
They are not funded by National RSPCA only by people supporting/donating to them on the IOW.
Any injured or sick domestic or wild animals go to the Vet with a RSPCA National Call Centre log number. If no owner can be found for any domestic pets taken to a Vet they are then passed on to the Animal Home.
There is so much animal neglect on the Island that these, also sick or injured are given priority and space has to be given to these cases first.
They care for wild & domestic animals, not just cats & dogs, and if people knew the true pressure they are under on a day to day, week by week, year by year basis they would not criticise.
I found a raven with a broken wing I rang them up they said bring it in they will put it down for me I said you’re supposed to look after injured animals not put them down and was told they dont mend birds’ wings so I looked after until it was mended and could fly then let it go so much for the rspca
Well done to you.
The RSPCA sound like nasty unhelpful B’stards.
I thought they were here to help animals, obviously not.
I use to donate many items to their charity shops, never again.
You mean take your tip rubbish there
It’s totally against their policy to do that, they would never say bring it in, instead they would say if you can safely do so take it to the nearest vet
Crap service from island RSPCA they say there there to help in fact like other comments they flob you off say they get back to you never do waste of time and money