Management savings would protect animal welfare services

The proposal is among suggestions for reorganising the society's structure in the wake of financial problems caused by stock market losses.

It is believed that one option would be for the Wales operation to be merged with western England with a combined headquarters at Shrewsbury.

Another option is to keep Wales as one whole region.

Until a decision has been reached by council it would be foolish to speculate on these operations changes Jackie Ballard, RSPCA director general

Decisions about the society's future will be made by the ruling council on 30 April.

The review intends to streamline the organisation, and minimise the impact of the still volatile stock market on the RSPCAs reserves.

Market losses

Last year The Daily Telegraph reported that the charity's trustees were told that savings of �2m were needed.

And in October staff pay and all capital projects were frozen for a year because of stock market losses.

This included the postponement of a planned clinic at Merthyr.

The Welsh RSPCA region is currently one of the society's ten regions in England and Wales.

The future of the Brecon HQ will be decided this month

Jackie Ballard. the RSPCAs director general said losses suffered on the stock market since the New York terrorist attack on 11 September 2001 had affected the charity's level of reserves.

"Until a decision has been reached by council it would be foolish to speculate on these operations changes," she added.

"Whatever the outcome of the current management restructuring process the boundaries, identity, culture, and language of Wales will continue to be acknowledged and fully recognised within our structure.

"Savings in management costs are being proposed in order to protect vital front line animal welfare services."