The Branches
The RSPCA's branches are separately registered charities with their own registered charity numbers, responsible for the management and financial control of branch affairs, advised and supported by regional and HQ staff. The constitution for the branches is the branch rules (published by the Society). The branches work closely with the inspectors and other staff at regional and local level, providing direct animal welfare services in their own branch areas. Branches also work hard at raising the funds needed to support their work and are involved in a variety of fundraising activities including street and door-to-door collections, dog shows, fun days and running branch charity shops.
Branch committees'
Each year at the branch Annual General Meeting a committee of trustees of not less than seven, but not more than 14 who are elected by the members of the branch. The committee meets monthly and the work shared between the branch officers (the chairman, treasurer and secretary) and the other committee members.
Note: Branch committee members and the branch officers positions are exclusively voluntary. As a general rule, committee members cannot receive payment or material benefits from the branch. The branch, also has volunteers who act as branch re-homing coordinator and home visitors.
Branch AGM
It is important that all the branch trustees share in the decisions of the committee and are equally responsible for the decisions made. For example, although the treasurer will in the first instance be the person to oversee financial matters, the whole committee will share equally in making and bearing responsibility for branch finance and financial decisions. This principle applies to all the other areas of responsibility of the branch committee.
The financial aspects of trustee responsibility are of particular importance. There should be good financial control and this will include proper planning, budgeting and monitoring of financial progress, ensuring that full and accurate records are kept and that clear and regular financial reports are provided to all trustees. Similarly, branch activity reports showing animal welfare work should be provided for committee members.
The AGM is a very important event for the branch calendar. It must be held before the end of June and is an opportunity for the trustees to report the year's activities to the members and to explain and answer questions on the accounts. At the AGM, the members elect the trustees for the coming year.
Awards
Branches also operate the Society's welfare assistance scheme for low income pet owners whose animals require treatment at private vets.
Branch animal welfare work
Branches work closely with the inspectorate and ACOs, taking in unwanted, abandoned and mistreated animals and care for them until they can be found new homes. To this end some branches run their own animal centres. Others rehome from private boarding kennels or foster homes and these arrangements must be governed by written agreements based on the models provided by the Society. Branches neuter, vaccinate and microchip animals that are to be rehomed, visit the homes of potential adopters and provide post-homing advice. Each branch rehoming team is managed by a rehoming coordinator and all homevisitors are required to attend a home visiting training course.