In May, facing pressures raising sufficient income, we made the difficult decision to reduce our operations from two locations down to one. We decided to move dogs away from our Devon Centre and to focus on our rented kennel spaces in Somerset. Since taking that decision we have transferred the hounds that have not yet found a home, they are now happily and safely enjoying their time in Somerset. Regretfully, we have also made some of the team, who were based at our Devon Centre redundant. We are now operating at a level that has safeguarded our immediate future as a charity.
The Centre served us well and came into its own during Covid, when we quickly had to move our hounds out of rented spaces due to lock down restrictions. Since then, we have continued to make good use of the facilities at the Centre and have been able to spend the time necessary rehabilitating greyhounds and lurchers who needed to decompress due to their past lives. Unfortunately, the economic environment coming out of that period has meant us taking a step back and looking at our costs, and how we can best deliver on our mission.
We continue to carefully monitor and manage our income. A significant element of this has usually come from our kind and generous supporters who have left gifts in their Wills. Processing factors outside of our control have impacted our receipt of these legacies.
The cost-of-living crisis means that our loyal supporters have other demands on their pockets. Along with other rescue charities we are finding it very difficult to raise the funds we need.
We have now reached the decision to put our Devon Centre, Cottage Kennels, and land on the market; the ongoing costs of maintenance and repairs would add a considerable amount to our bills in the medium term.
Above, three of our hounds who have made the move from Devon to Somerset.
They’re nearly there – one last push…