Talking Point: Animals need your love more than ever

ANDREW BYRNE: If you have ever considered being a foster carer for animals, now is the time to step up for the RSPCA

CARERS WANTED: RSPCA Tasmania chief executive Andrew Byrne with a charge.

NOW we can take a deep breath in relief that the fires burning across Tasmania are at manageable levels, we can also be thankful there was not a mass need for lost, abandoned or injured domestic animals to be cared for.

What this recent community emergency does highlight, however, is the urgent need for Tasmanians to join our statewide network of foster carers.

In the South, the RSPCA has been expanding its foster care network to ensure that the animals that our inspectors take in can be cared for, before being transported to our temporary central animal care facility in Devonport.

If you think this role might be of interest, we at RSPCA Tasmania would love to hear from you. The RSPCA has also been recruiting volunteer drivers to help move the animals across the state if need be.

This expansion of our statewide foster network follows a move to create a more sustainable business model to ensure the RSPCA can continue its work to protect and care for those animals most in need.

A kitten cared for by the RSPCA. Picture: SHY WOLF PHOTOGRAPHY

This has resulted in us refocusing our business to the core values of protecting Tasmanian animals and educating their owners; and will result in an increase in our inspectorate services along with the closure of our animal care centres in Hobart and Launceston in order to realise our vision for a central Tasmanian animal care centre where we can focus all our resources.

Our Devonport Animal Care Centre at Spreyton is currently acting as our temporary central care centre, but we are on the hunt for a new location to realise this vision.

Once RSPCA Tasmania finds a central animal care centre it will be able to consolidate its services, including the shelter, veterinary and animal welfare services.

This will ensure that we can maximise our impact while providing the very best animal protection and care.

This new site will be the central home for RSPCA Tasmania for the next 50 to 100 years.

To support this move to a central care model, we have established animal transfer stations around Hobart, ensuring that animals in need are cared for prior to being safely transported to Spreyton.

We are also working on building our transfer station network in the North.

RSPCA Tasmania has always moved animals around the state in order to ensure the animals receive the best care and protection whilst in the care of the RSPCA. The new model works with other reputable animal welfare organisations as well as veterinarians, with the animals’ health and welfare always paramount, before, during and after their transport.

The creation of these transfer stations means our statewide animal inspectorate service can continue its vital work.

One of the dogs cared for by the RSPCA. Picture: SHY WOLF PHOTOGRAPHY

Our Inspectorate Officers respond to about 3500 cruelty reports in Tasmania each year and conduct random unannounced visits to locations such as pounds and where companion animals are kept for commercial purposes.

This important inspectorate work has become the focus of our organisation — helping those animals most in need.

Animals that come into our care when seized or surrendered to our inspectors are often in very poor condition, are distressed and in need of much care and love.

These animals are now either transported to our Devonport Animal Care Centre or entrusted to the care of one of our wonderful foster carers.

We are always being asked as to how people can further help the animals in need. Well, I would encourage all Tasmanians with the capacity and time to consider taking on an animal foster role and together we can continue to work towards creating a Tasmania where all animals are treated with respect and kindness.

I encourage the Tasmanian community to play an active role in the protection of Tasmanian animals, and together we will grow into the protective force that I know much of the community wants to see.

If you are considering joining our foster network, we want you to know the RSPCA will cover all direct costs including food, veterinary care, medications, bedding and grooming. You are not expected to be out of pocket, only your love and time is required. The reward for RSPCA volunteers is the trust and return-love that these animals in need give back to their carers, it is often life-changing and a memorable experience that will last forever.

A rabbit cared for by the RSPCA. Picture: SHY WOLF PHOTOGRAPHY

I would also like to take this opportunity to reassure Tasmanians that the RSPCA’s mission to protect and advocate for the state’s animals is stronger than ever.

Over the past year we have been working diligently to make the vision for a centralised care centre a reality and we look forward to continuing to work with our dedicated volunteers and supporters in setting up this new care centre and seeing it become a reality.

We look forward to a future of upholding animal welfare laws, advocating and educating the Tasmanian community so as to improve the lives of animals and ensuring we can continue to deliver our core mission to Tasmania’s animals most in need.

Andrew Byrne is chief executive of RSPCA Tasmania.

Originally published as Talking Point: Animals need your love more than ever