Creating a PAWsome new centre for animal welfare

The Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford & District branch of the RSPCA has been caring for animals for over a century. Affiliated to the national society, the branch is an independent local charity with big plans to give unwanted, neglected or abandoned animals a ‘forever home’. Taking animal welfare to another level of excellence In May this year, the charity appointed Gifted to undertake a fundraising feasibility study for a £4 million refurbishment of its animal welfare centre in Halifax. ‘The Really Big ReFURb’ involves a major redevelopment of the existing site with long-term sustainability and improved operational efficiency embedded into the plan.

The study tested the potential of raising as much as £2 million from philanthropic sources and the final report to trustees was overwhelmingly positive. “Thanks to years of careful planning and generous support from the local community, the branch had already raised half of the project funding,” says Gifted Director, Amy Stevens. “Interviewees could see that there was a resounding commitment from trustees, and the proposed two-phase refurbishment scheme had been meticulously thought through. They were also persuaded by the charity’s powerful fundraising case which clearly set out the potential impact of the project.”

Off to a flying start

As the charity now prepares for a focused capital campaign, there have been some stand-out successes in the quiet phase of fundraising, which the charity is looking forward to announcing before Christmas. “We are overjoyed for the team up in Halifax,” says Gifted’s Konna Beeson. “This early show of support, signals to other funders and philanthropists, whatever their size, that the project is worth investing in. In this case, it’s also a credit to the amazing branch staff who know exactly how they want to deliver excellent animal welfare services in the future.”