One Paw at a Time: With RSPCA, Burton.
Burton Radio’s Honor Douglas and Burton Echo’s Tom Drysdale recently ventured out, off the beaten path, to the RSPCA Burton Upon Trent & District Branch Centre.
By Tom Drysdale
A Hidden Gem
Tucked away off Hillfield Lane in Stretton, the RSPCA Burton branch is a bit of a hidden gem. Honestly, I’ve spoken to quite a few people who had no idea it was even there. It's like the Loch Ness Monster of Burton, except it actually exists!
Meeting the Team
Inside the reception building, we were greeted by the friendly team. Jo, the branch administrator, and Lesley, the centre manager, gave us the lowdown. I also couldn’t help but notice the strategically placed pet treats and food for sale – a clever way to support their work!
A Long History of Caring
The RSPCA in Burton has a long and storied history, going all the way back to 1876. After a few location changes over the years, they finally settled into their current digs in 1989. The local inspector covers a pretty wide area, from Ashby and Measham to Swadlincote, Tamworth, and Lichfield.
Passionate People, Dedicated to Animals
Lesley, who’s been with the RSPCA for over three years (and previously worked at the Chesterfield branch), clearly has a deep love for animals. It's not just a job; it's a calling. Jo’s story is equally inspiring. After a kidney transplant, she felt a strong desire to give back to the community. Her background in the charity sector, including stints with the National Trust and RSPB, made her a perfect fit. Plus, she’s a proud mom to four cats, two of which are RSPCA rescues!
Inside the Branch
Lesley gave us a tour, explaining that the Burton branch is a small, self-funded operation. They mainly focus on cats, dogs, rabbits, and guinea pigs. While they work closely with the national RSPCA on policies, they’re responsible for their own funding. They do, however, provide boarding for animals involved in national RSPCA investigations – these are their ‘case’ animals.
Meeting the Team
In the cattery, we met Kieran, the newest member of the team. He used to volunteer here, but when a part-time animal care assistant position opened up, he jumped at the chance. Talk about a career change! He went from pharmaceuticals to purr-fect pets.
Volunteer Wendy, who’s semi-retired and a huge animal lover, was busy socializing with the cats. She explained that volunteering is all about “generally wanting to help,” and that places like the RSPCA and Cats Protection desperately need support.
Paul, the Small Animal Supervisor, showed us the rabbit and guinea pig enclosures. He’s been with the RSPCA for 10 years, starting as a volunteer and working his way up. He’s a wealth of knowledge when it comes to small animals, explaining that rabbits are now considered “exotics” (who knew?) and can live for 10-12 years.
Meeting the Animals (The Stars of the Show)
We got to meet Blue, a gorgeous one-year-old Staffy, who was super excited to see us. We also saw some adorable newborn puppies who will soon be looking for their forever homes.
Finding Forever Homes
Paul walked us through the adoption process. It’s about two weeks for cats and small animals, and around a month for dogs. They want to make sure it’s a good match for both the animal and the adopter.
Supporting the RSPCA Burton Branch
Jo and Lesley told us about ways to support the centre. They have two shops (Swadlincote and Burton), and they always appreciate donations, fundraising efforts, and animal supplies. They even have an Amazon wish list! Check out their Facebook page for updates.
Inspired to Help
Honor and I were so impressed by the work being done at the RSPCA Burton branch. In fact, Honor was so inspired that she signed up to be a dog-walking volunteer! It was a real privilege to witness the compassion and dedication of the staff and volunteers. They’re making a real difference in the lives of these animals, and they deserve all the support they can get.
Have a positive community story to share? Email Tom Drysdale at teamburtonecho@gmail.com, and we’ll do our best to bring it to life!
