RSPCA invited to pets project

AFTER an acrimonious split earlier this year, the RSPCA will be invited to join the Townsville City Council’s Animal Management Reference Group.

The council took over the pound from the RSPCA in April this year after a bitter dispute. The RSPCA wanted the animal shelter to be upgraded and cited “financial reasons” for withdrawing its services.

The council has run the pound since April and at yesterday’s meeting it adopted draft guidelines on how to manage unclaimed animals.

These guidelines will be shaped by the newly formed reference group.

Mayor Jenny Hill said a representative from the RSPCA, an independent vet, rehoming group representatives and council members could be part of the group.

It’s understood the RSPCA inspector could be part of the group. This position has continued to be filled even though the RSPCA is not running the animal shelter.

“They’re the people that can best help us determine how we move to the next stage,” Cr Hill said. “They will be able to refer back the draft guidelines and say where we can improve them in terms of managing the shelter.”

During the meeting Cr Hill said there had already been at least three vets express interest in being part of the group.

“I think we will be able to put together a group that is reflective of all the community, not just certain interests, and that’s really what we’ve got to do,” she said. “There’s a range of views about animal management and we have to try to walk that line that satisfies the bulk of our community.”

Cr Hill said local government managing shelters was not new.

“This ( group) is not about the bureaucracy of council, it’s about engaging with the community,” she said.

The mayor highlighted the importance of programs to educate the community on responsible pet ownership. The group will meet regularly through the year.

RSPCA Queensland head of operations and facilities George Costi said he had not personally seen a request from the council to be part of the group but the RSPCA was happy to help.

“We’re happy to support them from a strategic and advisory point of view if the end result is for the wellbeing of animals in the community,” he said.