Animals forced to weather hard times

CATASTROPHIC weather — from drought to flood — meant landholders struggled to care and feed their farm animals last financial year.

Cows feeding on flooded farm land at Latrobe. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

CATASTROPHIC weather — from drought to flood — meant landholders struggled to care and feed their farm animals last financial year.

The annual report of the RSPCA shows there was an increase in rescued horses and sheep during 2015-16, because of severe weather events.

But fewer cats and dogs were brought into the RSPCA, as awareness about animal welfare issues increased.

During 2015-16, a total of 4168 animals came into the care of the RSPCA, showing a slight decline in the total number of animals on the year before because less intervention was needed for pets.

“We attribute this [decline] to an increased awareness of appropriate companion animal care within the Tasmanian community, including desexing,” the report said.

The increase in other animals rescued by the RSPCA was due to the challenging weather.

“We have been confronted this year by severe catastrophic effects and changes in the usual weather patterns,” the report said.

“Our summer produced drought conditions and our winter produced extreme flooding.

“This impacted severely on hay production, cost of hay and limited grazing, placing hardship and financial burden on our primary producers as well as our other large animal owners.”

The report, released at yesterday’s annual general meeting, says the inspectorate service seized 32 horses last year (compared with 22 the year before) and 16 horses were surrendered (compared with nine the year before). There was also a jump in sheep, with 27 seized last year compared with 18 the year before.

The RSPCA improved its live release rate, securing new homes for 79 per cent of animals — up from 72 per cent in 2014-15 and 58 per cent in 2013-14.

The high live-release rate meant no healthy animal was put down last year.

The RSPCA also had a 97 per cent success rate in the courts, and almost 3000 calls to the Animal Cruelty Hotline resulting in more than 5800 individual complaints being investigated. RSPCA president Simon Froude said the organisation continued to experience “challenges” with its financial situation, with a 50 per cent decline in bequests.

The organisation posted a minor surplus of $25,443, which was a significant turnaround on the previous year’s loss of $389,000.

Mr Froude said that the organisation would work to raise revenue through initiatives such as increased fundraising and sponsorship programs, a new statewide vet clinic and an enhanced focus on grants.

Originally published as Animals forced to weather hard times