That the Parliament notes the significant financial pressures on national animal welfare services, including the Scottish SPCA; understands that the current deficit stems from rising demand, increased costs and long-standing structural pressures, with employee costs the largest expense; notes the growth in complex cases, prolonged veterinary treatments and higher costs for other veterinary, energy, fuel and consumable expenses, as well as a reported additional £400,000 in employer national insurance costs; believes that, despite recent investment in fundraising and service improvements, post-pandemic income has not recovered quickly enough, leaving the Scottish SPCA in an unsustainable financial position; notes that a voluntary severance scheme has been introduced by the organisation to reduce costs with minimal disruption and to safeguard its services, and calls for continued support to ensure the long-term sustainability of it and Scotland's other frontline animal welfare services.
Supported by:
Jeremy Balfour, Jackie Dunbar, Annabelle Ewing, Kenneth Gibson, Clare Haughey, Jamie Hepburn, Rona Mackay, John Mason, Liam McArthur, Stuart McMillan, Audrey Nicoll, Kevin Stewart