TRUSTEES' REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2022
4 Foreword from the
Chief Executive
2022 was truly a year of disruption for so many
of us, with fast-moving changes in government,
the economy, the climate and on the world
stage. The war in Ukraine, energy price hikes,
ongoing Brexit impacts and a cost-of-living
crisis meant that disruption became pretty
much the new normal.
Issues like these inevitably impact on animals' lives and on the
RSPCA itself - but we are experienced 'disruptors' too. For
nearly 200 years we have literally been here to change the world
for the better - and we've done it, time and time again. Now,
from a position of real organisational strength and stability,
we're anticipating and preparing for whatever challenges may
lie ahead, so that we can carry on with our mission to achieve
a world that is kinder to animals.
In times of uncertainty, people want hope and optimism,
and animal welfare can provide that. We know it can easily be
sidelined as a 'nice to have' when what may seem to be more
pressing issues need to be addressed. Yet animals enrich and
improve all our lives, and their lives are important in themselves.
They are a vital part of the fragile ecosystem we all share.
Most people recognise their importance and value - that's why
the RSPCA came into being nearly 200 years ago and is still
championing animal welfare today.
In 2022, the cost-of-living crisis immediately posed a huge threat
to animal welfare and we mounted a strong response, investing
£1.5 million to support pet owners and smaller charities. We set
up a cost-of-living hub with a voucher scheme to help people
pay for veterinary care. We also gave grants to smaller charities
so they could keep their doors open, and expanded our hugely
successful pet food bank scheme.
When the disastrous war in Ukraine caused people to flee their
homes - often with their beloved pets in tow - we stepped
in to make sure those pets were protected and didn't end up
transferring diseases to pets already living here.
Because we are here both to help animals in need and to prevent
suffering from happening in the first place, we stepped up our
efforts to encourage people to put their time, their voices or
their money into supporting us on both fronts - and so many
of them did. We are making real progress towards building our
million-strong network of dedicated animal welfare supporters,
who will promote animal welfare across all our communities.
Despite the year's economic challenges, our fundraising remained
stable, thanks in part to some exciting new partnerships. Our
Omaze prize draw, for example, raised more than £1 million in
one of Omaze's most successful draws.
Working together with all our partners - including our branches,
other charities, communities and individuals - we were able to
achieve so much. For example, we worked with the PDSA, which
took over our public veterinary work, allowing our own vets to
focus on animals suffering the very worst cruelty and neglect.
We also worked with mental health and youth services, to help
them spot signs of animal abuse. We began a new partnership
with higher-welfare pet food brand McAdams. And we combined
our voice with those of other animal charities to get real and
lasting change for animals, such as the Sentience Act, a new law
on cat microchipping and a ban on cruel glue traps.
Despite this progress, the government dithered and delayed
on other promised animal welfare reforms - we still don't have
a ban on the live export of animals for fattening and slaughter,
for example. But with more than 100,000 supporters getting
behind us, we kept up the pressure on this and a raft of other
animal welfare demands.