Local MP accused of 'seriously underestimating' strength of feeling on Balmore
Jamie Stone has been accused of "seriously underestimating" the strength of feeling in the far north over the Balmore closure.
The MP had a meeting with two senior Scottish SPCA figures this week and conceded there would be "no going back" on the charity's decision to shut its animal rescue and rehoming centre for Caithness and Sutherland.
He acknowledged that many of his constituents "have reasonable concerns" and added that he would be "keeping an eye on the situation".
The charity says its decision to close the centre near Dounreay, along with another one in Ayr, will allow it to bring more services directly to the community.
Mr Stone, the Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, met with the charity's chief superintendent, Mike Flynn, and the operations lead, Jennie Macdonald, on Tuesday.
"I was grateful for the opportunity to speak with SSPCA about their new proposed model for rescue animals," Mr Stone said afterwards. "It was made quite clear that the decision is made. The centre is closed and there will be no going back from that.
"Many of my constituents have reasonable concerns about this. I will be keeping an eye on the situation and will remain in contact with the SSPCA about their plans going forward, and I know they plan to maintain strong links with communities with the creation of two new fostering and rehoming coordinators and a new community engagement manager for the area.
"My main priority is that any changes ultimately protect and safeguard rescue animals that come from or to the far north."
Campaigners against the closure were unimpressed by Mr Stone's comments.
A Save Balmore group has attracted 1570 members on Facebook, while a petition now stands at more than 3700 signatures.
Willie McGillivray, who established the campaign group along with his partner Sarah Holman and former volunteer Vicki Edmunds, said: "I am not surprised that Jamie has rolled over, but I think he is seriously underestimating the strength of feeling.
"I know there will be about 8000 people, at least, that will be disappointed in his response."
The 8000 figure quoted by Mr McGillivray relates to a letter from local veterinary surgeon Shondie Maclean to the chief executive of the Scottish SPCA, Kirsteen Campbell, and the number of times it has been viewed online.
Mr McGillivray added: "My fear is the black bin-bag scenario comes upon us in the north again – that we go back 20 years to when people have kittens and puppies they don't know what to do with and they end up in a black bin bag in the river.
"From our point of view it's animals that we're bothered about, and what's going to happen when there are distressed animals."
The SSCPA announced last month that Balmore would close by the end of October but the last of the animals have already been removed. The centre is due to be handed back to its owners on October 31.
Asked whether he felt there was any prospect of a rethink, Mr McGillivray said: "The only hope there is of getting it reversed is if there's a realisation in the senior management of the SSPCA that they've made a mistake. The door is open to them to go back to Balmore."
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- 'Fight is not over yet' – campaigners vow to continue battle for Balmore animal centre
- Dog owners 'shocked and very disappointed' at Balmore closure
- Woman is 'forever grateful' to Balmore staff after moving north with her dog to escape abusive relationship
A spokesperson for the SSPCA said: “The coverage of inspectors in the Caithness area remains the same, and that expert team will be on hand to respond to any urgent reports of animals in need every day. Local people should continue to contact our free animal helpline whenever they have concerns about an animal, and we will help.
“Our inspectors and animal rescue officers cover the whole of Scotland, and they work effectively in many parts of the country where there is not a local centre. Through managing situations with pet owners to working with local partners and agencies, we tailor how we work to best suit each locality.
“In 2022, our inspectors in Caithness launched 102 investigations into reports of pets being neglected. By comparison, the inspectors in Argyll launched 112 investigations into pets being mistreated. We are able to operate effectively in a place like Argyll, where the requirements for our inspectors' support is comparable to Caithness.
"In Dumfries and Galloway, where we don’t have a local centre, we still carried out 469 investigations into pets being neglected last year. In these places our inspectors use their skills and knowledge to find the best outcome for an animal.
“Community engagement roles and services will provide fantastic support to local inspectors too, by working with pet owners in need to intervene early and prevent potential animal welfare issues from escalating.”
