NEWS DESK
Shire pussyfoots around cat issues Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au A 1300-SIGNATURE petition calling for the Mornington Community Animal Shelter to open daily to the public failed to get backing at the Monday 20 February meeting. The council referred the petition back to council officers “for action or to report back to council on the matter”. Cr Sam Hearn later said this meant the council “acknowledges, hears, and receives the petition but is not forming a view or taking any action”. The petitioners – headed by Doris Campbell, of Rosebud – want to know why new homes are not found for more lost animals, especially cats. The petition urges that the shelter be opened to the public for a minimum of three hours a day without the need to make an appointment. The petitioners also asked that a “proactive adoption program be implemented using various marketing methods” to find homes for cats, and that the adoption process be simplified. The petitioners are keen to see a volunteer foster care program implemented, with “full transparency of monthly statistics, and adoption prices for older dogs reduced”. There is a long running disconnect between the petitioners and the shire over the running of the Watt Rd, Mornington, shelter. While the shire says it seeks to rehome “all suitable unclaimed animals through its partnerships with 50 community foster care network groups”, the residents say five or six cats are repeatedly put up on the website while most cats in the pound are euthanised. “It’s got the same animals on it all the time –
Shoppers opt to help brigade
maybe one or two different ones a week – out of all the cats that are there. If they are not on the site they can’t be rescued,” Ms Campbell said. Governance manager Joe Spiteri told last week’s council meeting the shire sought to rehouse all “suitable” unclaimed animals through its partnerships with 50 community foster care network groups. “However, animals which cannot be safely rehomed because of behavioural or health issues are humanely euthanised by local vets in accordance with the code of practice for the management of dogs and cats in shelters and pounds,” he said. Chief finance officer Matt Green agreed there could be a “difference of opinion on the suitability of rehoming some of those animals”. “But we do certainly list those animals on that site if they are suitable,” he said. Ms Campbell sees the shelter’s much-vaunted seven-day-a-week opening hours as a furphy. “You can’t just ring up and go there: you have to fill out a form via email and arrange an appointment time. And all visitors must be accompanied by a staff member at all times. “They won’t do direct adoptions as they say they don’t want to become an animal retail outlet. “Rescue groups are not being contacted by the shire because they don’t want people going there.” The shire says a new cattery and customer service area are being built and the domestic animal management plan is due for review later this year. Environment protection interim manager John Rankine said the review would provide the community with an “opportunity to comment on the standards currently in place”
Worthy cause: Ritchies CEO Fred Harrison hands over the keys to brigade captain Timothy Desmond, with 1st Lieutenant Scott Killeen, left, and Dromana Ritchies grocery manager Dean Jeffery, right. Picture: Supplied
A DROMANA supermarket’s generosity has paid dividends for Dromana Fire Brigade, which has received more than $300,000 in donations through the Ritchies Community Benefit Program. This makes the brigade the highest individual CFA recipient of the supermarket chain’s fundraising program. “The unique program has provided significant financial support to our brigade,” brigade captain Timothy Desmond said. “The money came from generous community members who chose Dromana Fire Brigade as the recipient of a percentage of their shop.” The money – which goes directly to the brigade – was spent on a utility, one of five cars the brigade has been able to buy since 1999 at a total cost of just under $200,000.
Ritchies CEO Fred Harrison handed over the keys to the new car at Dromana Fire Station last week where he was given a tour by the members. “From the day we launched our CB program, the local brigade was incredibly proactive in the community. I am delighted we have been able to support them in a meaningful way,” Mr Harrison said. Captain Desmond said the car would support rescue calls within the peninsula and Western Port group boundaries. It will also be used by members to attend meetings and training, including at the CFA’s Sale campus – a 500km round trip. The 60-member volunteer and rescue brigade responds to around 300 calls a year.
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Southern Peninsula News 28 February 2017