Shelter a lifesaver for abandoned pooches
THEIR names are Aero, Alby, Angus and Alice.
The kelpie cross cattle puppies were found stuffed in a 60cm x 40cm crate without food or water and left in the sun at an Aeroglen park.
“They were either dumped Tuesday night or Wednesday morning,” Young Animal Protection Society manager Carol Clifton said.
Safe and washed at YAPS, the litter inhaled a giant dish of food while a few metres away Manny the fox terrier jumped at the first sign of human affection.
The coffee and brown patched canine with hazel eyes was seen allegedly thrown from a car on Moody St, Manunda, late last month.
YAPS at Smithfield is bursting with similar stories and staff have to wait three months for relief when RSPCA Cairns opens its new centre.
“I haven’t spoken to them since January. The last I heard was they would be open by the end of April or early May,” Ms Clifton said.
“We are getting 8-10 calls a day from people trying to surrender their dogs. The abuse we are copping is ridiculous.”
YAPS currently holds 100 animals from Cairns, Innisfail, Mossman and Cooktown.
While the refuge strains under the demand, the RSPCA Cairns shelter remains unfinished despite an expected March opening date.
The internal fittings are due to arrive in three weeks and will be assembled over 2½ months.
“We want it to be ready by July 1 so we can open in the new financial year,” RSPCA Queensland chief executive Mark Townsend said.
“It will be a brand new facility. It will be a lot more peoplefriendly and animal-friendly,” Mr Townsend said.
“The new shelter will house 150 animals and include a commercial laundry and a vet for internal use.
“Disease control is a big issue and the laundry is a big component,” Mr Townsend said.
He said efforts by YAPS “would be paid back in spades”.