Animal welfare fears after Eumundi Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre changes
RSPCA Queensland has responded to fears from animal advocates of more deaths due to changes at a Sunshine Coast centre.
Sunshine Coast
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Wildlife rescuers fear more animal deaths will occur on the Sunshine Coast and further afield because of changes to an RSPCA-owned treatment centre on the eve of the annual trauma season.
Wildlife Rescue Sunshine Coast founder Claire Smith said the Eumundi Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre was a “highly valued resource” for carers that was used for the treatment of animals residing as far north as the Fraser Coast.
The centre cares for 16 per cent of native animals treated and rehabilitated by RSPCA Queensland across the state.
“Now RSPCA Queensland, who were kindly gifted the centre in 2014, seek to close all wildlife hospital facilities and replaced highly trained wildlife staff with volunteers,” Ms Smith said.
Ms Smith said two staff members who left were never replaced and one manager was made redundant.
The founder said any move to scale back the Eumundi Noosa Rd centre could cause the “difference between life and death” for wildlife because carers would need to drive further south to the Australia Zoo facility in Beerwah.
“It’s a little outpost that’s servicing a massive area, and the community are just 100 per cent behind Eumundi but there’s no compassion being shown by RSPCA Queensland for the detriment that it’s going to cause,” Ms Smith said.
“It’s a shortsighted and poor decision to save a few hundred thousand dollars.”
An RSPCA Queensland spokeswoman said the organisation wanted to “reassure” the community that the centre would not close and it was a “key facility” in the delivery of wildlife services across southeast Queensland.
The spokeswoman did not respond to Ms Smith’s claims about staffing changes.
“RSPCA Queensland has the responsibility of efficiently and effectively managing funding from generous donors to continue to deliver the most impactful animal outcomes,” she said.
“As a charity, volunteers play a crucial role in the delivery of our animal outcomes.
“This is always in valuable support roles, and not to cover qualified veterinary services or other staff roles.”
The spokeswoman said the charity welcomed “direct and transparent discussions” with carer groups.
Ninderry MP Dan Purdie said he had spoken with the RSPCA Queensland to discuss changes ahead of the annual wildlife “trauma” season on the Sunshine Coast.
“We all appreciate the efforts of the RSPCA in providing vital services for sick and injured wildlife, usually on a shoestring budget, and there is no suggestion they’ve done anything wrong or inappropriate,” he said.
The politician said in the last state budget, $3.5m was allocated to the RSPCA and “it’s only fair” the Eumundi centre received its fair share.
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