$7.4 million saving will enable RSPCA to help more abandoned and vulnerable animals

It’s a win-win for RSPCA with the NSW government extending its lease at Yagoona for a further 20 years, saving the animal rescue organisation more than $7.4 million.

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THE future of the thousands of abandoned or badly treated animals looked after by RSPCA’s bustling Yagoona site is assured after the NSW Government extended the lease by a further 20 years for a nominal price.

The new lease, which is now valid till 2056, importantly means a massive saving of more than $7.4 million which can be used by RSPCA to expand and upgrade its facilities.

This means that animals like Nibbles the friendly pig, can expect more support and help to find homes.

Nibbles the pig stays cool by eating the fruit ice blocks served by Sharon Andronicos, the senior manager, RSPCA NSW. Picture: Lawrence Machado

Nibbles has been with the RSPCA for nearly an year, having being handed in as a piglet, and is an easy going animal who needs a large area and council permission before she can be adopted.

The government said the rent for the sprawling site — which hosts and then re-homes thousands of animals each year — is $481 a year, compared to around $195,000 a year for a similar commercial site.

Lands and Forestry Minister Paul Toole told the media at Yagoona on Wednesday afternoon the new lease means a saving for more than $7.4 million for RSPCA.

“The RSPCA provides essential medical attention and shelter for animals, as well as enforcing animal welfare laws and providing training and education,” Mr Toole said.

“We’ve extended the lease agreement until 2056, with rent being set at $481 a year, compared to around $195,000 a year for a similar commercial site.”

Lands and Forestry Minister Paul Toole and Scott Myers, Chief Inspector, RSPCA, at the RSPCA site in Yagoona. Picture: Lawrence Machado

He said RSPCA will be able to reinvest its huge savings across four decades into supporting the state’s most vulnerable animals.

“This means the RSPCA can look at building new animal shelters and upgrading volunteer facilities as needed,” Mr Toole said.

“The Yagoona site and the work the RSPCA do in pet adoption is another great example of how crown land is used to support our local communities.”

NSW’s RSPCA cares for more than 32,000 animals every year. Currently there are 2,947 animals in their care with the Yagoona shelter caring for 747 animals, including 217 cats, 173 dogs, 93 kittens, 25 fowls, 23 rabbits, one pig and one sheep.

Steve Coleman CEO of RSPCA NSW — who was represented at the press briefing by RSPCA Chief Inspector Scott Myers, thanked the government for its support.

“This extension of lease means our core work of enforcing the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and providing care to the animals that need it most can continue,” Mr Coleman said.

“We can also expand the services that we offer to better educate the community about animal welfare and our work.”

Meanwhile, the RSPCA uses several methods to keep their animals cool in the searing heat with ice blocks filled with food one of the most popular for dogs and other animals, including Nibbles. Many of these packs are donated by the public, said Sharon Andronicos, the senior manager, RSPCA NSW.