NEWS DESK
Call to ‘stay’ over dog policy Liz Bell liz@mpnews.com.au
RSPCA CEO Dr Liz Walker (front), staff and volunteers celebrate the beginning of construction of a new cat and small animals care centre at Pearcedale.
New $4.75m centre for ‘small’ animals A NEW cat and small animal care centre (CASA) is being built at the RSPCA Mornington Peninsula’s Pearcedale property to provide care and shelter for more than 2500 cats, rabbits and guinea pigs annually. Purpose-built and designed by specialist architects with advice from veterinary and animal behaviour experts, the centre is expected to enable animals to heal faster and be adopted more quickly. RSPCA Victoria CEO Dr Liz Walker said the existing buildings were more than 30 years old and made it challenging for staff and volunteers to provide modern, best-practice care to animals. “RSPCA Peninsula accepts every cat, kitten and small animal that is brought to us, and their welfare is our first priority,” she said.
“Sadly, these animals often come to us scared, sick, neglected, traumatised and friendless. We know that shelter environments can be stressful for cats in particular, which can lead to health and behavioural problems that make it harder for them to recover and be adopted. “The new CASA care centre will increase our capacity to protect and care for more cats in state-of-the-art accommodation, an isolation wing and spacious cabins that help each cat feel safe and comfortable.” The centre will include: The capability to care for about 250 cats, kittens and small animals at one time (about 2500 animals over a year). Purpose-built accommodation and adoption areas for small animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs. An isolation wing to care for cats
suffering from ringworm and other infectious diseases. A long-term wing with outdoor runs for cats that need extended stays. An adoption wing where visitors will be able to spend relaxed time with cats in special meet and greet rooms to get acquainted before taking them home. The $4.75 million centre will have solar panels supplying electricity and an ozone gas laundry. Dr Walker said construction and set up was expected to be finished in January 2023 “By creating a comfortable, healing shelter environment, cats and small animals will find happiness in their new forever home more quickly and we will be able to reduce costs while delivering best-practice care,” she said.
MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Anthony Marsh has called for calm over a proposal to change dog access to public areas. As part of the Domestic Animal Management Plan 2021-2025, a “dogs in public places” policy will be considered at a council meeting in July, to allow time for community consultation and amendments after a draft policy was withdrawn from the 8 February meeting. The policy will cover designated off-leash and prohibited areas for dogs on shire-managed land. Marsh said there had been a lot of misinformation and concerns about the policy proposal, with some dog owners “jumping the gun” over being potentially banned from sports ovals. “That’s not even on the agenda anymore, so people need to wait for the draft policy to come out,” he said. Council’s manager of community safety and compliance, Shannon Maynard, said the July meeting would decide whether the policy was ready for public consultation. “As part of the consultation process, community members will have the opportunity to have their say on the draft policy,” he said. “Invitations to provide feedback will also be sent to a range of stakeholders, such as sports clubs and dog clubs.”
The draft policy has so far had a mixed reaction from sections of the peninsula’s dog owners, with some concerned about the proposal to ban dogs from sports ovals and playgrounds. At least 12 dog parks from Mount Eliza up to Portsea could be out of bounds for dogs and only one leashfree park remaining on the southern peninsula. Leash Free Mornington Peninsula founder Christine Healy last week said more. Dog parks should be available as the region had one of the highest levels of dog ownership in Victoria. There is also support for the policy, with some dog owners upset that irresponsible owners “ruin it for everyone”. Dani Robinson, of Mount Eliza, said she had twice been forced to leave the Mornington leash-free park because of dog owners not controlling their aggressive dogs. “I’ve seen smaller dogs get attacked in the dog park by larger dogs and I think it’s just going to get worse … all because of irresponsible human behaviour and people who ruin it for everyone,” she said. “Hardly anyone uses [the park] anymore.” Maynard said once the final policy had been adopted, there would be a focus on education and raising awareness at any site where dog controls had changed.
As the highest performing secondary school on the Mornington Peninsula, Dromana College will continue to work tirelessly to develop and consolidate the many exemplary educational programs on offer. With outstanding facilities, a committed professional staff and a caring school community, students are challenged to explore their interests and talents to achieve their personal best.
Open Night Wednesday 4th May 2022 at 6.00pm ‘Lessons come from the journey …not the destination’ ‘A high performing provider of education on the Mornington Peninsula’
Tours available Tuesday mornings at 9:30am. Bookings online at www.dsc.vic.edu.au. 110 Harrisons Road, Dromana, Victoria 3936 Entry via Old White Hill Road
E: dromana.sc@education.vic.gov.au W: www.dsc.vic.edu.au
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Mornington News
26 April 2022
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