Troubled JSPCA takes out £500,000 loan as ‘safety net’

Monday 14 January 2019

Jersey’s leading animal charity has taken out a £500,000 loan as a ‘safety net’ as it continues to fight for survival.

The financially troubled JSPCA registered its half-a-million debt in the Royal Court shortly before Christmas.

The move is one of a number of measures being taken by the animals' shelter as it seeks to plug debts totalling £1million, revealed by Express last year. 

News of the charity’s difficulties led to local businessman Kevin Keen being appointed interim CEO on a volunteer basis.

Pictured: At the beginning of last year, the JSPCA had debts totalling around £1million. (Google Maps)

Since being appointed to the role, Mr Keen has overseen a mass fundraising campaign, and told Express that he is also looking at ways to make sure the charity is “as efficient as can be, so as to make our income – and people’s donations – go as far as possible."

That has included shutting down the JSPCA’s dog boarding facility because the service was operating at a loss. Three jobs were lost, while the move also led to concerns about a lack of facilities left in the island after Pont du Val kennels also announced their closure. 

Part of the restructuring also involved drawing a £500,000 loan from Channel International Limited on 21 December, but Mr Keen maintained that this money is a safety net for the charity rather than a sum already earmarked for spending. 

“A charitable trust has essentially provided us with an overdraft facility to support the JSPCA as we implement our plans to improve our financial performance. We have only drawn £100,000 of that facility,” he explained. 

Pictured: Mr Keen described the £500,000 loan as a "backstop".

“We have received lots of support as a result of our campaigns and media interest so I am hopeful we won’t need to use the whole facility. It is a backstop really, something we are very grateful for.”

The JSPCA’s financial situation came to light only last year, nearly one year after the charity’s former CEO, Major Stephen Coleman, abruptly left the charity shortly before the Police announced an investigation into its finances.

That investigation remains ongoing.