The charity runs cat and dog homes

A decision about the future of dog and cat homes has been deferred for six months by the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The society's board faces having to cut costs because of a �3m-plus funding shortfall, leading to warnings that six of its 13 centres may have to shut.

At a meeting on Wednesday, the board decided to put off making a decision on the closure.

The SSPCA blames its financial problems on an increase in running costs and a fall in the stock market, which has hit the charity's investments.

Board members considered a review of its activities and operational procedures.

Campaigners have organised petitions calling for the homes to be kept open and the organisation has lobbied the Scottish Executive.

Considering closure

The animal welfare centres care for 17,000 animals every year in Scotland.

Some take in stray cats and dogs, while others deal with wildlife ranging from seals to birds of prey.

Last month the SSPCA announced that it was considering the closure of six centres - Ayr; Dundee; Stirling; Balmore, near Dounreay; Milton, near Dumbarton; and Middlebank, near Dunfermline.

The review was also considering the possible closure of the Mellerstain centre in Berwickshire once trust fund income runs out, the termination of an accommodation agreement with the centre at Dunragit near Stranraer, and suspension of work to establish a centre in Aberdeen.

Redundancy warning

Last year the charity reported a deficit of �3.2m.

It blamed the financial problems on rising staff, security and insurance costs, as well as increasing council tax and water bills.

The board has also warned that there may be redundancies among its ambulance drivers.

However, it has already decided to maintain front line inspectorate operations as far as possible and said that there are no proposals to reduce the number of inspectors.