Council has pet success

TOWNSVILLE City Council is claiming success for its Bohle animal shelter.

The rate of missing animals returned to residents has risen to 34 per cent since the council took over the facility from the RSPCA in May.

Community Health and Environment Committee chair Anne- Marie Greaney said the council had advanced in “leaps and bounds” since taking over.

The council has also employed a veterinarian and vet nurse and a functional vet clinic equipped for basic surgery is now operational.

Cr Greaney said the new employees were a “first” for any local government.

THE number of missing pets reclaimed by owners from the Townsville City Council’s animal shelter has almost doubled in the past six months.

The rate of animals returned to residents has risen to 34 per cent since the council took over management of the Bohle facility from the RSPCA in May.

Community Health and Environment Committee chair Anne- Marie Greaney said the council’s animal management strategy had advanced in “leaps and bounds” since taking over.

“I think council’s message about responsible pet ownership and responsible pet management is actually getting through to the community,” she said.

“From a council point of view we’re really stoked with where we are and where we’ve come from in the last six months.”

The council has also employed a veterinarian and vet nurse, and a functional vet clinic equipped for basic surgery is now operational.

Cr Greaney said the new employees were a “first” for any local government.

“It’s having a great impact,” Cr Greaney said.

She said the council would be launching a “MeowVember” cat and kitten adoption promotion from November 24 to 29.

“It’s a way to offer cats and kittens at a discounted price to families that might be considering getting an animal and maybe they’d like a cat,” she said.

A week- long “Howl- oween” dog adoption promotion in October resulted in the council securing new homes for 13 adult dogs and one puppy.

This left only five dogs at the shelter at the end of the promotion. All animals rehomed at the council facility are desexed, microchipped, vaccinated, wormed, registered or permitted.

The council has introduced a number of communitybased programs, including working with Queensland Corrective Services to allow members of the women’s prison to attend and work with the adoption animals and assist with making beds for the dogs.

Children in the Rollingstone District Association also regularly visit the shelter.

The council is also co- ordinating clinical work placements for fourth and fifth year vet students from James Cook University.