The Scottish SPCA: 0300 Numbers
Key Facts
Sector: Charities / Societies / Organisations
Number of employees: 51-250
Customer since: October 2007
Summary
The Scottish SPCA required a memorable telephone number that did not cost its callers more than a standard landline to dial. This was a huge priority for the charity as it did not want to prevent members of the public from calling just because of the cost of the call....
Background
The Scottish SPCA is Scotland’s leading animal welfare charity and was set up in 1839 to prevent cruelty to animals and promote kindness and humanity in their treatment. The organisation is based in Edinburgh and employs over 200 staff.
Problem
The Scottish SPCA required a telephone number that did not cost its callers more than a standard landline to dial. This was a huge priority for the charity as it did not want to prevent members of the public from calling just because of the cost of the call. The SSPCA also sought a number that was cost effective for it to run – as it’s a non-profit making organisation and relies on public support to operate. Additionally, the organisation wanted a number that was memorable – in order for members of the public to recall its contact details with ease if they saw an animal in distress - which will often happen outside and away from telephone directories or the internet. The number also needed to be relevant to the service that the charity provides.
Solution & Results
An 0300 number seemed the ideal solution. 0300 numbers are designated for use by public bodies and non-profit making organisations and cost the same to call as standard landline numbers (e.g. 01 and 02), even from a mobile phone.
Additionally, unlike other non-geographic numbers, 0300 numbers are included as part of any inclusive call minutes or discount packages offered by landline or mobile phone operators – meaning that a call to an 0300 number can often be free. This satisfied the charity’s objective and means that if a member of the public sees an animal in distress outside and is required to make a call on their mobile phone – they will not be charged more for doing so.
Our 0300 numbers are also cost effective for the SSPCA to run. After a one-off connection fee the charity pays a fixed monthly service charge which includes 10,000 inbound minutes per month.
0300 numbers, like all non-geographic numbers, are also highly memorable and we were able to offer the SSPCA: 03000 999 999, a superb memorable number which reflects the emergency aspect of the service they provide (999) and is therefore a very relevant number for them to use.
Having an 0300 number also meant that the SSPCA could instantly redirect it to any landline of its choice with our Targetmaster service, which comes free with all of the numbers we provide.
Fiona Murray, IT Manager for the SSPCA said, “Windsor Telecom were able to offer us a large selection of 03 numbers and we felt that the number chosen, 03000 999 999, was a memorable number that the public will relate to. We hope that our new number will encourage people to call when they see an animal in distress, knowing that they will not be charged more than a local call. This will allow the Society to rescue and rehome even more animals across Scotland.”
Tags: Charities / Societies / Organisations Targetmaster 03 Numbers 51-250
