RSPCA still hoping for deal to stay

RSPCA Queensland says it would be willing to continue operating in Townsville if more money was allocated to support animal management.

The animal charity announced it would “transition away” from the region after a complete breakdown in funding negotiations with the Townsville City Council last week.

The relationship between the animal charity and council had soured in recent years but RSPCA Queensland chief executive Mark Townend said “unreasonable” requirements in the latest animal management tender were the “final straw”.

“Council recently put out a tender demanding the new successful contractor provide a much expanded number of pens for cats and dogs while specifically stating that they would not be funding the required capital works,” he said. “It’s just abysmal and shows how little they really care for animals.”

But the charity’s head of Queensland operations and facilities, George Costi, said they would remain if these issues could be resolved.

“The RSPCA is more than willing to stay in Townsville but there has to be investment in the facility and we need tenure on the land,” he said.

Mr Costi said the RSPCA’s operating costs had “significantly escalated” as it took on more responsibilities than initially anticipated when it bid for the current contract in 2013.

“RSPCA has absorbed more of council responsibilities ( and) duties to ensure animals are reunited as council will not do any follow up on lost animals,” he said. “More animals are now reclaimed as a result of RSPCA increasing resources to reunite owners with lost animals.”

Mr Costi said the RSPCA paid for the “majority” of maintenance work at the pound facility as council had “refused” to offer assistance.

“In 2013 we agreed to tender for the contract in good faith that the council had agreed to increase support for costs but they backed out,” he said.

Council denied claims it bullied the RSPCA and said the organisation’s requests were “unreasonable”.

“The RSPCA demanded up to $ 8 million plus almost $ 4000 a day on top of their existing contract ... without providing a business case,” planning and community engagement director Eber Butron said. “Essentially, the RSPCA wanted ratepayers to underwrite their losses.”

He said the funding ultimatum could only be considered before a full council meeting.