July 2018
MEET GERRY Last financial year, we saw over 2,800 animals come through the shelter. The range of animal, condition and temperament is drastically different from animal to animal. They often have completely different challenges and needs that we encounter as we attempt to find their forever homes. Some of the most rewarding work that we do here at the shelter is when we see animals transform during their stay with us. Whether the barrier stopping them becoming the animal they deserve to be is mental or physical, watching them overcome these difficulties is truly moving. Many animals have journeys like this while staying with us. One animal that stays in our hearts and minds is a puppy named Gerry. Gerry, who was a whippet, came into our care at the Weston Shelter. Gerry was found to have a serious congenital knee problem in which the groove that allowed his knee to function never developed, placing him in a significant amount of pain and discomfort. This problem was also causing other serious complications as his left limb was not being properly aligned with his hip. This compromised Gerry’s ability to walk in the future. Our vets decided that Gerry needed to undergo surgery so he could have the chance to walk pain free. There was also a likelihood, that Gerry would require additional surgery 6 months after the first to further align his limbs given his growing body. Our vet team immediately prepared Gerry for surgery. The team worked for over an hour to ensure his operation was a success. The next day the vets performed a check on Gerry and they were very happy with the outcome.
Over the next few weeks our staff helped Gerry through his rehabilitation. We helped him walk, eat, drink and gain confidence that he could be just like every other puppy. Everyone at the shelter fell in love with him more and more each day. After Gerry’s rehabilitation was complete, he was put up for adoption. It didn’t take too long before Gerry captured the hearts of his new family. He was adopted even though he would require future surgery on his hip. Transformations such as Gerry’s is what our work is all about. Gerry’s transformation is a joyful reminder of how our intervention to help animals in need can completely change a life. Without this surgery it is likely that Gerry would have lived a life in pain before inevitably being euthanized. Instead, we can happily report that Gerry is living a pain free and joyful life with his new family. Stories like this further motivates us to ensure that every animal that enters our care can get their happy ending.
ANIMAL STATISTICS 2017-2018 We had another great year for animal welfare. Our organisation has three animal welfare goals that include decreasing incoming animals to the shelter, keeping animals healthy and finding their forever homes faster. Looking at this past year, we have attained all three. For the first time ever we have achieved over a 90% rehoming rate across all species. This is an amazing outcome and a testament to the hard work of all our staff, volunteers and supporters like you. This year we have also seen a big drop in incoming cat and kitten numbers. For the year, we saw a 21% drop in felines coming into our care. We believe this is largely due to our ‘Frisky Tom’ campaign that has desexed 1,242 felines across three years. It is through the generous support from our donors, volunteers, sponsors and stakeholders that we can achieve these fantastic outcomes for the welfare of animals in the ACT. Our team are extremely proud of their achievements this last financial year and remain as committed as ever in continuing to improve the welfare of animals in the ACT. - Jane Gregor Executive Manager of Animal Welfare
91.13% REHOMING RATE ACROSS ALL SPECIES
92.7%
92.9%
REHOMING RATE FOR FELINES
REHOMING RATE FOR CANINES
21%
2250
decrease in
surgeries performed
incoming felines
1514 animals microchipped
12 individuals
434
successfully
prosecuted
Tango’s Cat Boarding Visitors
174 Dog Training School graduates
354 Kids N Kritters participants
Greyhound racing ban in the ACT
HAPPILY EVER AFTER Meet Lacey. Lacey came into our care with one other dog and two cats in equally poor condition; their poor health was reported to our Inspectors but nothing would prepare them for what they found. Her skeletal figure was heartbreaking and she, along with the other animals, were seized by our Inspectors under the Animal Welfare Act. Upon her return to the RSPCA ACT Shelter, a thorough examination concluded that she had a body score of 1/9 - the lowest possible score for a live animal. She was severely dehydrated, her body covered in callouses and fleas. The rest of her was in no better condition. Her teeth were broken and dead, with pus pockets at the roots and infection of the bone. To make matters worse, tests showed that she was infested with hookworms. Her big brown eyes were sunken into her tired face. There was no doubt that Lacey had been through much suffering during her short life. But we changed all of this! After just 18 days in our care, she gained a healthy 3.7 kilograms or 23% of her presenting body weight. From the starved and skittish dog she was when she first came to our care; Lacey flourished with regular food, love and play. Finally she was learning to trust and be happy. Lacey’s previous life was all about survival so our kennel’s team had to teach her how to play for the first time in her life. Walks, fetch and food puzzles were the highlights of her day, but nothing compared to the happiness she felt from the gentle pat and affection from someone who loved her. Beautiful Lacey recovered under the watchful eye of the RSPCA ACT family and finally found her forever home. Never again would she feel hungry or unloved. Her new adoptive family were sure of that! Transformations and second chances are made possible because of our supporters. Thank you.
We recently launched a program to support animals and families in emergencies. The program is called Project Safe and it provides free of charge, emergency boarding for victims of domestic violence to ensure the immediate safety of their pets. Animals are the forgotten victim when we think about domestic violence. Two out of three households that are affected by domestic violence are likely to own pets. There is also a proven, direct correlation between cruelty to animals and cruelty to people. Studies have shown that approximately 53% of domestic violence victims reported that their pet had been harmed as well. The challenge is that few human shelters and temporary living facilities allow the housing of animals, particularly larger dogs. As such, a domestic violence victim is often forced to make a choice between protecting themselves and protecting their beloved pets. By providing this service, we can temporarily look after an owned animal while victims focus on their safety. Right now, the demand for this service is exceptionally high with about one request for help each business day on average. However, due to limited resources, we are currently only able to support about onethird of the requests.
In the past year, we have provided a total of 995 days of care for 23 felines, 42 canines and 3 birds. When animals enter our care, they receive a full veterinary check, vaccinations and will have any immediate medical problems addressed. They are also socialised with people and other animals while in our care so they can learn to trust again.
project: SAFE
The program costs over $35,000 each year and we are struggling to fund this program in its current form. Our goal is to gain support from 150 individuals who are able to provide a monthly donation to keep this program running. We are also aiming to acquire 10 new foster carers that can help with adult dogs and cats. So far we have 10 wonderful individuals who support the program through donations and 2 new homes that are willing to help these animals. There is a significant amount of work that must be done so from time to time you may see more information about this program. We are confident that our generous community will support us to ensure that programs such as this one continue its life changing work. If you want to find out more head to www.rspca-act.org.au/project-safe.
HAVE YOU MET
The
Feline
Bunch? The ‘Feline Bunch’ is just a few of the many unwanted felines that come to RSPCA ACT for help. This month we launched our new discounted desexing program ‘Fix Your Feline’ after the success of our 3 year ‘Frisky Tom’ campaign! Running during the months of July to October, we will be committing one day per week to discounted desexing for felines of all ages for lower-income households. Felines from 10 weeks of age will be eligible to be desexed at RSPCA ACT for a heavily discounted price if their owners have a valid Centrelink concession or health care card, and reside in the ACT or bordering NSW area. It will cost $120 with prepayment plan options available through Centrepay. Feline owners can book their furry friends into the program by visiting www.rspca-act.org.au/fix-your-feline.
FIX YOUR FELINE WHAT WHEN WEBSITE PRICE
‘Fix Your Feline’ Discounted Desexing July – October 2018 www.rspca-act.org.au/fix-your-feline $120.00
*Bookings must be paid for prior to your pet’s appointment. Prepayment plans will be available through Centrepay. Ask our staff how to apply by calling 02 6287 8100. Desexing add-on options include: Vaccinations $30.00 Microchipping $30.00 Combo Pack (Vaccination & Microchipping) $50.00 Pre-Anaesthetic Blood Screening $50.00
THANK YOU PAM Pam has been a wonderful supporter of RSPCA ACT for a number of years. Pam’s involvement with the RSPCA began in Adelaide 20 years ago when she adopted a dog that she described in her words as “ugly but gorgeous” with her husband. This moment began a lengthy relationship with the RSPCA. When asked what her favourite thing about RSPCA ACT was she replied “…I like the way you can win animals confidence back and restore their faith in human nature. You give them every last chance to be able to be put up for adoption.” It is for this reason, among many others, that Pam has decided to leave a gift in her will to RSPCA ACT. These gifts make a huge difference to the lives of animals in the ACT. We would like to thank Pam for her generosity and wonderful support for our organisation. If you are considering RSPCA ACT in your will please contact our office on 02 6287 8100 for more information.
EVENTS CUPCAKE DAY 20th of August We are asking the Canberra community to bake the world a better place by hosting a Cupcake Day, party or morning tea to raise money for animals in need. Individuals can host a Cupcake Day in their office, school or home any time this August or September. Rise to the occasion and start rolling for change! The animal’s lives are what you bake of it! Head to rspcacupcakeday.com.au to get involved today. CURRENCY FOR CREATURES October We are excited to announce our new initiative called Currency for Creatures. Members of the Canberra community to donate foreign notes throughout October to help fund our vital work. In partnership with Commonwealth Bank, individuals can make donations at for Commonwealth Bank locations across Canberra as well as our Weston shelter. ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS Help abused and neglected animals by purchasing your Entertainment book through RSPCA ACT! $12 from each book purchase will go towards fighting animal cruelty. Order your book today through: rspca-act.org.au/entertainment_books
EDUCATION PROGRAM RSPCA ACT Inspectors answer about 2,000 complaints about animal cruelty and neglect every year. This is still a worrying statistic. After all, that’s one complaint for every 90 adult pet owners each year in the Territory. We have observed an alarming trend in which the number of cases involving young people is increasing. This is not just something we see in the ACT but across the country. How do we prevent cruelty to animals in future generations? Our solution is to reach the children directly through a new animation series called, ‘Inspector Izzy Animal Rescue’. With the aid of a grant from the Mary Kibble Trust to help fund a pilot program, we have recently released our first episode of ‘Inspector Izzy Animal Rescue”. At the moment the series is being shown to a number of classrooms and already preliminary results have been positive. We hope that with time, we can expand this program nationally.
HOW TO DONATE www.rspca-act.org.au/donate 02 6287 8100 donation@rspca-act.org.au
Now Available
STAY IN TOUCH
Inspector Izzy Animal Rescue!
/rspcaact
Inspector Izzy is an animated dog that is dressed as an RSPCA Inspector. With her sidekick, Ivan the Van, they respond to calls for help from animals and educate their owners in the process. These short lessons (less than 5 minutes each) are aimed at kids starting as young as four years old and cover topics from appropriate shelter to dogs in hot cars and even sunburn and dental hygiene for pets.
/rspca_act
Hopefully, this digital education program will be successful in teaching the next generation of kids how to prevent cruelty to animals in a format that is both entertaining and educational. After all, the children of today are the future pet owners of tomorrow.
/RSPCAinACT
@rspcaact
OPENING HOURS MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY
9AM - 5PM 9AM - 5PM 10AM - 5PM 9AM - 5PM 9AM - 5PM 9AM - 5PM CLOSED
ANIMAL VIEWING HOURS 10AM - 4PM SATURDAY 9AM - 4PM
SHELTER LOCATION 12 KIRKPATRICK STREET WESTON ACT 2611