Cornwall Branch
Registered Charity No: 1024808

To report animal cruelty or welfare concerns, please use the RSPCA National Helplines:

Cruelty and Welfare issues – 0300 1234 999

Or report online here

Why We Are Not Funded by the National RSPCA

One of the questions we hear most often is: “Why aren’t you funded by the National RSPCA?”

To answer, it helps to explain how the RSPCA is structured and where our Branch fits in.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) was founded in 1824 and is the world’s oldest and largest animal welfare charity. The National RSPCA works across England and Wales with a primary focus on:

  • Rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming/releasing animals

  • Employing RSPCA Inspectors and Animal Rescue Officers who respond to welfare concerns, collect sick or injured animals and investigate cruelty or neglect

  • Gathering evidence for legal action under the Animal Welfare Act

  • Running national awareness and fundraising campaigns through TV, press and other media

When you see RSPCA Inspectors out in the community, or national adverts asking for donations, that is the work of the National Society. All money donated to these national appeals goes directly to the National RSPCA to fund Inspectors and their frontline animal welfare work.

While this work is vital and something we fully support, none of those funds are passed down to local RSPCA Branches like ours. This means that if you donate through a national RSPCA appeal, your donation will not support our Cornwall Branch directly.

As an independently registered local charity, we rely entirely on our own fundraising efforts, grants and the generosity of our local community to continue helping animals in Cornwall.

What Is an RSPCA Branch?

There are currently around 135–140 RSPCA Branches across England and Wales. (Figures vary slightly between official RSPCA sources due to timing and how branches are defined.) Each Branch is an independently registered charity and is run by a local board of volunteer Trustees.

Although the National RSPCA provides a small amount of funding each year, our independence means the Cornwall Branch has to raise over 90% of our annual running costs ourselves. Importantly, every penny raised in Cornwall stays in Cornwall, directly helping animals in our local community.

Our Animal Rehoming Centre

Unlike some Branches, we are fortunate to have our own Animal Rehoming Centre, licensed by the National RSPCA. Here, we:

  • Take in animals from the public

  • Provide accommodation for animals involved in cruelty investigations in Cornwall — sometimes for months while legal cases progress

  • Rehome hundreds of unwanted and neglected animals every year

Our Local Animal Welfare Work

We also provide a range of community services, including:

  • Local welfare advice and support from our Branch Animal Welfare Officer

  • Animal welfare education for children and young people, including school visits and training opportunities for colleges

The Funding Challenge

It costs over £950,000 each year to run our Animal Centre and other welfare services. This funding comes from:

  • Local fundraising events and sponsorships

  • Donations and legacies

  • Our charity shops

  • Our rescue animal lottery (100% of profits come to us)

  • Fees from our dog exercise field hire

Why Being a Branch Matters

While we do not receive significant ongoing funding from the National RSPCA, being an independent Branch gives us the freedom to focus on the specific needs of animals and pet owners in Cornwall. Our local knowledge means we can adapt quickly, direct funds where they are needed most, and provide the right services for our community.

So please remember, if you would like to support animals in Cornwall, your donation must be made to direct to RSPCA Cornwall Branch! Thank you