NEWS DESK
Stable home for mistreated horses HORSES that have been mistreated have a new home at Pearcedale. The purpose-built stables opened last week at the RSPCA’s Peninsula Animal Care Centre will be used for vulnerable horses in need of care, rehabilitation, and rehoming. Since July 2014, more than 420 horses and donkeys have been cared for by the RSPCA after being reported to its inspectorate. Paid for by the state government, the Pearcedale stables are equipped to enable more effective treatment and rehabilitation of seized horses. The stables can accommodate animals with a range of health concerns and needing shelter and rest during treatment. RSPCA Victoria CEO Dr Liz Walker said the stables marked a new phase of care at the Pearcedale shelter. “Horse welfare is of particular concern in Victoria. In 2019 – 2020, RSPCA Victoria’s inspectorate received more than 6700 cruelty reports involving horses and is currently monitoring more than 900 horses in the community which are, or may become, vulnerable,” Dr Walker said. Agriculture Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said the government was “building a state that fosters the caring and respectful treatment of animals”. Dr Walker said the design of the stables was “underpinned by an understanding that some of the animals that come into our care are from poor welfare backgrounds or may never have spent time in a stable or
THE RSPCA has new, modern stables at Pearcedale for horses that come under its care. Picture: Supplied confined space”. Low maintenance, the stables had “simple and safe access for cleaning and ease of purpose. “The design elevates the use of natural light and air flow and includes dedicated water tanks, has energy effi-
cient lighting, security and the ability to stage CCTV,” Dr Walker said. There are five indoor stalls with sand day-yards, revolving feed bins, sliding stable doors and rubber flooring. A wall can be moved to create more space and there is room for a
mare and foal along with a crush to help with horses needing veterinary treatment. The stables are completed with a tack and a feed room with room for scales and a hot wash bay with nonslip flooring. Keith Platt
Register pets OWNERS of cats and dogs on the Mornington Peninsula must renew pet registrations by Saturday 10 April. All cats and dogs over the age of three months must also be microchipped. Services for pets provided by Mornington Peninsula Shire financed from the registration fees include: off-leash dog areas l(mornpen.vic.gov.au/leashfree); the Community Animal Shelter and Pound which cares for lost pets and finds new homes for unclaimed cats and dogs (mornpen. vic.gov.au/lostpets); and rangers who respond to dog attacks and nuisance complaints. Cats must be de-sexed to be registered within the shire unless the cat and owner are a member of the Feline Control Council. It costs $50 a year to register a de-sexed dog or cat and discounts apply for pension card holders. The fine for owning an unregistered dog or cat is $330. The shire is offering free first year registration for eligible residents whose pets are microchipped and registered within eight weeks of taking ownership or moving into the municipality. Animals adopted from the animal shelter will also be registered for free. To change an animal’s microchip details go to car.com.au. Pet registration fees can be paid online, over the phone and in person. Details: mornpen.vic.gov. au/petregistration to learn more about the different ways to pay your registration.
Bus times are changing From Sunday 11 April, we’re updating bus timetables to keep you better connected with the new train times. There will be new times for the following routes in your area: Route 760
Cranbourne - Seaford
Route 780
Frankston - Carrum
Route 770
Frankston - Karingal
Route 781
Frankston - Mt Martha
Route 771
Frankston - Langwarrin
Route 782
Frankston - Flinders
Route 772
Frankston - Eliza Heights
Route 783
Frankston - Hastings
Route 773
Frankston - Frankston South
Route 784
Frankston - Osborne
Route 774
rankston - Delacombe Park
Route 785
Frankston - Mornington East
Route 775
Frankston - Lakewood
Route 788
Frankston - Portsea
Route 776
Frankston - Pearcedale
Route 832
Frankston - Carrum Downs
Route 777
Karingal Hub SC - McClelland Drive
Route 833
Frankston Station - Carrum Station
Route 778
ananook - Carrum Downs
Route 857
Dandenong - Chelsea
Route 779
Frankston - Belverdere
Route 858
Edithvale - Aspendale Gardens
PTVH5341/21
To view your new timetable visit ptv.vic.gov.au/timetables
Department of Transport
Authorised by the Department of Transport, 1 Spring Street, Melbourne
Southern Peninsula News
7 April 2021
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