RSPCA Qld opens new $1.3m vet clinic at Toowoomba Wellcamp site thanks to generous donations

Thousands of lost, surrendered and injured pets and wildlife will be treated on the Darling Downs, after mega-donors funded the RSPCA’s newest vet clinic.

Philanthropist and RSPCA donor Rodney Banks with his dog Cindy outside the $1.3m Banksy Vet Clinic at RSPCA Wellcamp, which was delivered thanks largely to his financial contributions.

The RSPCA’s Toowoomba centre will now be able to assess and treat thousands more lost and surrendered pets and injured wildlife, thanks to a $1.3m vet clinic delivered by three generous donors.

The state’s top animal wellbeing organisation on Monday opened the Banksy Vet Clinic at its Wellcamp site, with mayor Geoff McDonald touring the facility for the launch.

The “first-class” facility, which includes dedicated spaces for dogs and cats, operating theatres and eventually an X-ray room, has been the missing piece for the RSPCA since it relocated to the Wellcamp Business Park in 2020.

Philanthropist and RSPCA donor Rodney Banks with his dog Cindy and Toowoomba mayor Geoff McDonald outside the $1.3m Banksy Vet Clinic at RSPCA Wellcamp, which was delivered thanks to his financial contributions.

“This shelter takes in about 1700 (domestic) animals per year and a third of those animals have been going down to Wacol for veterinary support down there,” chief veterinary officer Anne Chester said.

“They also have had wonderful veterinary support in the local community with some of our contracted vets, but that’s still (a case of) animals having to be put in a car and transported.

“This clinic is going to reduce the length of stay for these animals, and then we’re hoping that we can start to do community programs (from here) to support the local area.”

The massive project was primarily funded thanks to generous donations from three people, chiefly Highfields dog-lover Rodney Banks whose nickname adorns the clinic’s title.

Mr Banks, whose beloved king charles cavalier Cindy was featured on the signage at the front of the clinic, said his $500,000 donation had been a lifelong dream.

“I always had a goal in my life to do an active of philanthropy and the opportunity arose,” he said.

“it was because of my love for animals and all creatures great and small, and the RSPCA stands out as one of the most recognised brands in Australia and what they carry out is fantastic.”

Toowoomba mayor Geoff McDonald and RSPCA chief vet officer Anne Chester tour the organisation's new Banks Vet Clinic at its Wellcamp site.

Dedicated RSPCA donors George and June Baumber helped cover the balance of the project costs, along with other small donations.

RSPCA Queensland chief executive Darren Maier said the opening of the clinic came at a crucial time as the not-for-profit dealt with increasing pet surrender rates in the current economic climate.

“We’ve definitely seen a humanisation of pets out in the community, so people are caring for their pets better, and suddenly we’re seeing a lot about our pets got a very loving homes,” he said.

“We’re also seeing a rise in surrender applications and that’s being driven by the economic times — people generally in hardship of some variety.

“We saw a big increase in adoptions in Covid and those animals haven’t come back to us, but we’re definitely seeing animals come to us off the back of economic hardships.”

Toowoomba mayor Geoff McDonald, RSPCA chief vet officer Anne Chester and chief executive Darren Maier tour the organisation's new Banks Vet Clinic at its Wellcamp site.

Mr McDonald said the new facility would complement the council’s relationship with the RSPCA.

“We’ve seen some 4000 animals rehomed as part of that relationship between council and RSPCA (since 2019),” he said.

“It’s a great relationship, it continues to be built and the opening of the Banksy Vet Clinic here at RSPCA Wellcamp is another example of that.”