Local businesses lent a hand to help the RSPCA’s Island Animal Centre near Rookley. The charity’s first Corporate Volunteer Day saw staff from Island Roads, Prospect Mortgages, PC Consultants and Glanvilles Damant working together to improve the facilities at the site.
During the morning, teams painted the covered rabbit runs and replenished the outdoor areas with fresh woodchip. Other volunteers helped by cutting grass and painting fences.
Carrieanne Turrell, who heads the RSPCA’s Small Animals & Wildlife team, said,
“We’re so grateful to the volunteers for their work on our rabbit enclosures.
“It was very much a case of ‘many hands make light work’. Our rabbits are loving their new wood-chip, and the centre now looks much smarter as a result of everyone’s efforts.”
After lunch, volunteers were given a tour of the Centre and got to meet some of the RSPCA’s new arrivals. These including lovable puppies Atlas and Echo, and a group of young kittens that had recently been born at the centre.
Steve Backhouse, Branch Director for RSPCA Isle of Wight, added,
“Support from local businesses is incredibly valuable.
“As an independent island-based charity, over 90% of our income must be raised locally. Support from our local community makes a huge difference to the vulnerable animals in our care.
“Many local businesses support us by raising money, donating goods or services, or by providing venues for our events”.
RSPCA Isle of Wight are running another Corporate Volunteer Day on Friday 2nd October 2026 – full details on the website.
News shared by Steve on behalf of RSPCA Isle of Wight. Ed
