Because of decreased revenue from fundraising, grants and bequests in the recession, fundraising and the ongoing monitoring of expenses "will need to be the focus of our energies to increase income", committee member Paul Lawson said.
"These tasks, while onerous, are particularly important," he said in the report.
The recession not only affected the society's funds, but also its workload, with an increase in rural callouts as farmers struggled with financial and weather-related problems.
Chief inspector Virginia Pine said the rural sector had a "very tough year" with drought, floods, a wet winter and early snow "compounding stresses faced by farms on top of a recession".
"Owing to the drought, supplementary feed supplies were not as plentiful as other seasons and what was available was at a premium price.
"It is only the early intervention, advice and help offered by our inspectors that prevented a couple of farms facing some major welfare concerns," she said.
The importance of the work carried out by the Otago SPCA was also evident in the general statistics about complaints and rehoming.
Over the past 12 months, 602 complaints were investigated, resulting in the issuing of verbal and written warnings and two prosecutions.
The organisation's ambulance attended 1222 callouts for accidents, incidents and general inquiries.
As part of its Saving Lives campaign, 143 of the 314 dogs and puppies received into its care were rehomed and 72 were returned to their owners.
Of the 1176 cats and kittens received, 568 were rehomed and 104 were returned to their owners.
Of the 341 other animals received, 124 were rehomed and 12 were returned to their owners.
Dog and puppy adoptions have been assisted by an exercise area at the Dunedin Animal Haven, which allows potential owners a chance to play with and get to know the animals.
In Central Otago, 135 animals were received and 108 were rehomed.
The establishment of the Queenstown Cat Rescue also had a positive effect in reducing surrender numbers and callouts to stray and feral cats in the area.
The organisation's annual meeting will be held at the Animal Haven, 1 Torridon St, Opoho, Dunedin, at 7.30pm tomorrow night.
