ABOUT US
RSPCA Preston & District Branch is a separately registered charity to the National RSPCA and has been operating locally since 1874.
What we do
Our mission is to rehabilitate cats and dogs that have been subjected to cruelty, neglect, abandonment and abuse, and find them their forever homes. Our branch has an animal centre in the heart of Preston, with a cattery and dog kennels to care for cats and dogs rescued by RSPCA inspectors.
It is our privilege to care for these animals and provide them with everything they need to feel safe and loved. Our animal care team receives thorough training so they can carry out health-checks and monitor behaviour, which is incredibly important in rehabilitating our animals.
The animals receive vaccinations, flea and worm treatments, regular vet checks, any medication and treatments they need, plus lots of good quality food, treats and enrichment, and can’t forget toys!
We also care for long-stay animals whose owners could be being prosecuted for animal cruelty. When these animals come to the end of their stay with us we place them on our website for adoption and work with prospective adopters on any additional needs the rescue animals have.
Our staff and volunteers are dedicated to providing the best in animal welfare.
We believe that it takes ALL of us to create a world that is kinder to animals: please support us in that work.
How we are funded
It is a common misconception that because we carry the RSPCA name that we must be well-funded. We receive no government funding and are responsible for raising funds ourselves to keep our animal centre open.
We achieve this through a number of ways, such as our charity shops, adoption fees, donations, appeals, events, grants, sales and legacies. None of this would be possible without our amazing staff, volunteers and supporters like you.
Meet the team
Claire Bradly Russell
Branch Manager
Claire joined the branch over 10 years ago, initially supporting our charity shops before moving into a senior leadership role responsible for directing all operational aspects of the branch. Claire’s passion is to make a difference in the animal world and to champion our amazing team. She has a golden retriever called Barkley and a cocker spaniel called Indie. Ever the social butterfly she spends her free time catching up with friends, travelling in her caravan and anything creative.
Ashleigh Kay
Animal Care Manager
Ashleigh has over 10yrs experience in Animal Welfare, joining our branch in 2015 first as a volunteer. Ashleigh is the beating heart of the animal centre and treats every cat and dog that comes through our gates as her own beloved pet. She has fostered countless animals for the branch and can usually be found on her days off taking the dogs to the beach.
Tanya Barrett
Business and Administration Manager
Tanya joined RSPCA Preston & District Branch in Nov 2020 as the Branch Administrator. Tanya's background is actually in Book Publishing, but her passion has always been in Animal Welfare. She has two cats and a dog at home, and a husband. And when she isn't behind her desk, she can usually be found behind a book.
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Fran Augustinus
Retail Support and Chorley Shop Manager
Fran has been a part of the RSPCA family since 2018, providing vital retail support across our three charity shops; having played a key role in launching four of them! Fran is a true nature enthusiast and finds joy in long walks, always accompanied by her loyal border collie, Leo. Her love for animals and the outdoors is matched only by her commitment to the work we do.
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Debbie Hiorns
Penwortham Shop Manager
Debs is the manager of RSPCA Penwortham charity shop. She was previously the manager of the Longridge shop for 6 years before coming to Penwortham. She loves the charity and what it stands for. She even adopted a lovely lurcher cross in 2021 called Isla. She loves taking her for walks (or she should say runs!). Debs is also a member of Longridge School of Samba where she plays the Sardo drum.
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Debbie Davies
Longridge Shop Manager
Before Debbie joined the branch 3 years ago as a Retail Assistant she had actually already adopted her beautiful long haired cat Tilly from us! Debbie now manages our Longridge charity shop as well as running her very own macramé business, selling her incredible designs and creations and hosting workshops teaching others. Debbie previously worked for the police for 17yrs and was a foster carer for 12yrs.
Cheryl Graham
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Cheryl has over 13 years’ experience in animal welfare, working with a number of dog charities. In her professional career, she works in senior marketing and commercial roles within the food industry, leading teams and driving work that reflects her values and makes a positive difference. As Chair of the Board of Trustees, Cheryl is passionate about the impact we can have on animals and the local community. In her spare time, she enjoys walks in the Lake District or at the beach with her much loved dog, Boston.
Trustee Vacancy
Branch Trustee - Secretary
Trustee Vacancy
Branch Trustee
Kymberley Jones
Branch Trustee and Regional Representative
Kym has worked in the 'not for profit' industry now for nearly 20 years. Kym has always been passionate about animals and their happiness and feels strongly that being a trustee is her way of making the world a better place. In her spare time, Kym, her husband and their two lovely children love spending time in the outdoors trying to tire their dog Bromley out!
Stef Hartley
Branch Trustee
They bring experience of not-for-profit senior leadership along with a deep respect for the work that RSPCA branches do day in, day out to care for the most vulnerable animals. She has two rescue cats, Raja and Alaska, (named after her favourite drag queens) but she loves all animals and knows it is only a matter of time before she adopts a lovely dog. In her spare time she enjoys cycling and getting out into the wilderness in her DIY camper van.
Trustee Vacancy
Branch Trustee
Paul Draycott
Branch Trustee and Treasurer
Paul worked with the RSPCA inspectorate during his time with the police, dealing with animal cruelty and neglect, before retiring in 2017 after 47yrs. Over 30yrs ago, Paul's wife introduced him to the amazing work of the RSPCA branches and he became a local trustee for the Warrington branch. Paul then became a trustee for the National Society for 13 years before retiring as the Chair of the Society in 2019. Paul has also acted as a temporary trustee for over a dozen branches that were under National Society control to return them to local trusteeship. Paul has been a temporary trustee for Preston branch for the past 8 years and is currently supporting the new trustee board.