Letter from Kevin Keen

Back last year, the JSPCA appointed a volunteer CEO to temporarily take charge amid “extremely challenging” financial difficulties. In this letter, he responds to recent criticisms in a letter to the JEP.

I would also note that he is a "volunteer CEO", as some remarks on Social Media have asked what he is getting paid as CEO. The clue is in the word "volunteer"

And finally if all Islanders make a donation, even a one off, although regular would be preferred, we can help get the JSPCA back on its feet. Kevin can't do it all, but together we can make a difference.

http://jspca.org.je/donations/

The JSPCA Animals’ Shelter provides a large range of services in the field of animal care and welfare, offering help and advice for all members of the public. These services include:

• 24 hour ambulance service
• Lost and found service
• Rehoming
• Welfare Clinic Scheme
• Foster Animal Scheme
• Boarding for Cats
• Rescue and Rehabilitation of injured wildlife
• Education
• Jersey Pet Cemetery

Letter from Kevin Keen

Sir

I am responding to comments made by Jason Cronin in a letter published on 11th January.

Although the audit of our 2017 accounts is not yet complete, an unaudited version was shared with members last May. Mr Cronin claims he has seen these accounts but has made some elementary errors in his analysis. 

The income from boarding animals of was actually £170,896, not the £300,000 Mr Cronin alleges. In addition approximately half of this was from the boarding of cats which we are continuing. 

Your correspondent also forgets to mention the cost of our boarding business, which in 2017 was £347,077, leaving a loss from what is really a business activity of some £176,000. This loss was lower than in previous years but clearly still substantial. 

After careful consideration we concluded deficits at such a level were unsustainable and our location not really suitable for commercial dog boarding either. We will however continue providing boarding services for cats which we believe can be made to produce profits to support our charitable activities.

I can assure Mr Cronin & Islanders that providing shelter to animals who are homeless continues and we will carry on rescuing animals including strays. The activities are true to our original charitable purpose and service a need the private sector cannot.

Mr Cronin speculates that that our real intention for ceasing dog boarding was to facilitate property development on our site, that is not the case. We certainly do have to find ways to to reduce our £1 million of debts and making the most of our substantial property assets will be part of that, but the reason for stopping commercial dog boarding was because it was loss making.

I can also put Mr. Cronin’s mind at rest regarding our application for registration under the Charities (Jersey) Law 2014, this was made in good time for the 31st December 2018 deadline and we will therefore benefit from the transitional relief provided by the Commissioner whilst he considers our application.

Finally, although for some reason Mr Cronin is not supportive of what we are trying to do, he appears to be very much in the minority because many islanders and local organisations have stepped forward to support us. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all, they have been an inspiration. We clearly have a long way to go, but the generosity and kindness we have received gives me considerable optimism for the future of the JSPCA.

Yours faithfully

Kevin C Keen

Chief Executive (Interim)
JSPCA