RSPCA West Gwynedd Branch covers postcode areas LL23 and LL35 - LL57 inclusive (see map on home page). It is a largely rural area with a relatively sparse population outside the urban towns, and the University City of Bangor. The main employment is based on public administration, health and education, plus tourism. Much of the Branch area lies within the Snowdonia National Park, and includes Wales' highest mountain - Snowdon, at 1085m and largest natural lake - Llyn Tegid. For more information on the background of the area, visit the Gwynedd Council website.

With such an extensive coastline (88Km of the Llŷn Peninsula designated a Heritage Coastline), many of our wildlife problems are marine-related with abandoned seal-pups during autumn/winter and fledgling seagulls during spring/summer. As with most other areas we also have the constant problem of unwanted or neglected pets requiring rehoming, the need for assisted payment for neutering and other veterinary treatment, and the health-monitoring of the ever-expanding feral cat populations. All this requires MONEY & VOLUNTEERS.

3 things you may not know about the RSPCA:

   West Gwynedd is one of 163 RSPCA Branches in England and Wales - Scotland, Northern Ireland and Eire have their own Societies.

  An RSPCA Branch has existed in this area for many years - Bangor Branch was established in 1877. This Branch then amalgamated with Beaumaris, Menai Bridge and Conwy Branches in the 1880s to jointly finance the appointment of a full-time Inspector. The Caernarfonshire West and Anglesey Branch was divided on 20 November 1970, and was renamed West Gwynedd soon after local government reorganisation in 1973. RSPCA West Gwynedd Branch took over RSPCA Meirionnydd Branch in 2011 but retained the name to ensure donated funds go to helping animals and not on administrative costs associated with reprinting of stationery, registration of internet domain names etc.

   Each Branch is a separately registered charity. As such we are each responsible for raising and controlling our own funds.

How is the Money Raised ?

THE RSPCA ONLY EXISTS BECAUSE OF PUBLIC DONATIONS.

For each national RSPCA member living in a Branch's area, the local Branch receives £3.00 (less per person for joint members). Some benefactors very kindly leave us a legacy in their will. The rest of the money is raised by unpaid volunteers running fund-raising events such as stalls, boot sales, charity shops, flag-days, house-to-house collections, sponsored events, collection boxes etc. If you have original (feasible!) ideas for fund-raising, please let us know.