About us.
RSPCA Suffolk Central is a local charity passionate about animals and their welfare. We believe every animal deserves to be treated with kindness and respect so they can live happy, healthy lives.
As an organisation federated to the National RSPCA, the world’s oldest animal charity, we are committed to delivering the highest standards of care and welfare. As an independent charity, we are responsible for raising our own funds, with 95% of our income raised from local people in Suffolk.
Our branch history
Our impact
We work tirelessly throughout Suffolk to take in over 300 animals a year, rehabilitating and rehoming them to loving new families.
In the community, our veterinary clinics and welfare assistance schemes help over 3,000 pets in low-income homes to receive vital medical treatment.
Martlesham Animal Centre
Our purpose-built Animal Centre at Martlesham cares for dogs, cats, small furries and birds; with around 90 animals in our direct care at any one time. Our animal care team works hard to provide not only the welfare needs of animals in our care but also rehabilitation to give them the best possible chance of finding a new forever home.
We are one of few RSPCA branches to employ an in-house behaviourist to work with rescued dogs who have often experienced neglect, abuse, or increasingly a lack of training and socialisation. Our commitment to animal behaviour and training means we often take in dogs with complex behavioural needs, giving a second chance to those who would otherwise have nowhere to go.
Helping animals in the community
We have two veterinary welfare clinics (at Ipswich and Stowmarket) which provide heavily subsidised veterinary treatment for the animals of people on low incomes. The Ipswich clinic alone treated over 2,000 animals last year.
We also offer a welfare assistance voucher scheme which provides financial assistance for people who are unable to attend our clinics and for animals requiring emergency veterinary treatment. Vouchers are also available for assistance with neutering costs. These services are part of our ‘treat and leave’ approach which aims to keep animals in good homes wherever possible to avoid them needing to come into our care.
Our funding
We are a local charity funded by local people. As an independent charity, we are self-funding and self-governing. We need to raise over £900,000 a year to run our Animal Centre and deliver our community welfare work.
We raise our funds via our charity shops, through donations from local businesses and people, through fundraising and events, and thanks to kind gifts left in wills.
There are many ways YOU can help raise the vital funds we need
For RSPCA Suffolk Central Branch, every penny counts! All the running costs of the branch come from donations, fundraising and legacies kindly gifted by people like you.
Our shops
Shop, donate or volunteer at one of our five charity shops in Ipswich, Felixstowe, Stowmarket or Bury St Edmunds.
Gifts in Wills
Pledge a gift in your Will to RSPCA Suffolk Central so your love for animals can live on.
Make a donation
A monthly or single donation you will help local animals in need by funding the work of our Rehoming Centre and Welfare Clinic.
With your support
We made an extraordinary difference to the lives of animals in Suffolk last year.
300
+
ANIMALS REHOMED
3000
+
ANIMALS RECEIVED CARE
500
+
ANIMALS NEUTERED
How else can I get involved?
There are plenty of other ways to support the branch, from making a donation, to volunteering your time, participating in a fundraiser or rehoming a rescued animal. Find your way to get involved today.
