Foreword
It has been four years since we launched our ambitious strategy Together for Animal Welfare and in that time a huge amount has changed for animals, for people and the world around us. As we mark the end of our 200th anniversary, it is both an incredibly proud moment for us and a key opportunity to reflect. This is a refresh of our existing strategy - a chance to refocus and respond to new opportunities and challenges to deliver real and lasting change for animals.
In just four years, the world is in a very different place. From the growth of low welfare farming to loss of wildlife habitats, from climate change to the cost of living crisis, the challenges facing animals are bigger than ever. We have emerged from a global pandemic, entered a financial downturn, seen wars in Europe, the explosion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and experienced the acceleration of devastating climate events. We know that the future of animals, people and the planet are inextricably linked: what is good for animals is good for us all. But these issues are complex, they cross borders and sectors and can’t be solved in isolation. So the central message of our strategy is clearer than ever - the RSPCA can’t achieve its ambitions for animals alone.
Internally, too, we are in a radically different place to where we were four years ago. Our people, whether colleagues, volunteers or our branches, are key to changing animals’ lives. We have worked hard to make the RSPCA a great place to work, one that prizes and fosters diverse talent, prioritises staff wellbeing and always strives for excellence. Underpinning this is our emerging organisational culture, built on values and behaviours that put inclusion, openness and trust at its heart.
We are redesigning how we deliver welfare through the RSPCA, our partners and the public, so we can become the 'front door' to the animal welfare sector, ensuring people can access the right care and support for animals at the right time, whether it is from us or others. We have laid the foundations for becoming a community-based movement for animals, refocusing our vital frontline teams on animals suffering cruelty and neglect, a job no other charity does. Our dedicated branch network plays an essential role at the forefront of animal welfare, and we have strengthened our partnerships to deliver more for the animals who need us most. At the same time, we’ve empowered people and partners with advice and support to help sick, injured and abandoned animals get the help they need. To mark our 200th year, we launched our million-strong movement for animal welfare, with more than 960,000 people so far giving us their time, money or voice to create change for animals.
Supporting this transformation has been our work to harness the power and opportunities of digital to transform the experience of animals, our people and our supporters. Becoming a digitally savvy organisation will help us work smarter, help us make good, data-driven decisions for animals, it will give our people and the public access to the best, most up-to-date advice and support, whoever and wherever they are, so we can all improve outcomes for animals.
Now we have built a more financially sustainable organisation, we are redoubling our efforts to become environmentally sustainable. We know that climate change and environmental impacts present huge threats to animals and we have to do more to mitigate our own climate and environmental impacts. Our new Environmental Plan aims to accelerate our efforts in this area.
Through these changes, and others, we have built solid and resilient foundations which have seen us through some of the most disruptive and unpredictable years in our history. We have laid the building blocks of a more effective organisation and with this refreshed strategy we can unlock our potential.
The foundations of our strategy remain the same - working in partnership with people, communities and organisations is key to delivering on our ambitions. We alone cannot deliver seismic change for animals. We are the world’s oldest and largest animal welfare organisation and we have a unique role to play in mobilising and driving change here and around the world. By inspiring and empowering people, partners and communities, together we can change more animals’ lives.
Shān Nicholas Interim Chief Executive
and Amanda Bringans RSPCA Chair