RSPCA opens new $9.6m Toowoomba adoption facility
THOUSANDS more animals will now be able to be treated and rehomed in the Toowoomba region, after the RSPCA’s new $9.6 million facility was opened.
Toowoomba
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THOUSANDS more abandoned, injured and neglected animals will now be able to be treated and rehomed in the Toowoomba region, after the RSPCA's new $9.6 million facility was opened this week.
The massive new centre at the Wellcamp Business Park, next to the Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport, was officially opened by Groom MP John McVeigh and RSPCA Queensland CEO Darren Maier yesterday.
The project, which had been in development for several years after the previous centre in Rockville was deemed insufficient, was seed-funded by the Jelley Family Foundation and the Paul White Foundation before the Federal Government helped cover half the construction costs.
Featuring new adoption bays, outdoor areas, boarding and grooming services and space for a veterinary clinic, Mr Maier said the facility would double the organisation's capacity to help animals.
"We're really excited to be open here, this has been some time in the making so what we've got behind us is a facility that's going to enable us to rehome and treat even more animals," he said.
"We helped just over 1200 animals last year, and our new facility will allow us to double that capacity.
"We'll be able to provide some great facilities for the welfare of animals, which means while they're here, we're able to enrich their lives while we look for their forever homes.
"We've also got cat and dog adoption and animal boarding services to the public's pets, which means they can come and drop them off before they go to the airport.
"It's amazing - when I first came up here, it was a bunch of buildings on dirt.
"To be able to see it come to life and with the animals here happy, I know we've got an amazing facility to work with now."
Jelley Family Foundation's Carol Jelley, who volunteers with the RSPCA in Wacol, said she was proud that her group helped get the project off the ground.
"At one stage we thought it would never happen. It's quite a magnificent facility," she said.
"All the lessons that have been learnt from the various shelters being constructed throughout Queensland have been applied here.
"The Jelley Family Foundation supports organisations that provide meaningful roles for volunteers.
"This is an organisation that is so proud to say that it involves its volunteers in hands-on roles throughout the group and gives them meaningful training."
Mr McVeigh said the Federal Government was thrilled to offer the funding to finish the facility.
"This is a state-of-the-art facility, some $9.6 million to construct this facility, pleased to secure half that through the Federal Government's Building Better Regions fund," he said.
"This is about the RSPCA, caring as it does for animal care and protection, stepping up with donors, supporters, foundations and families that have gotten behind this magnificent facility."