Merry Christmas & a review of 2011

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all our staff, volunteers, sponsors and supporters along with the RSPCA Board members, for their dedication throughout 2011 and to the many who have assisted me in settling in to my role as CEO.  Although the role can be challenging at times, it is also very rewarding.  Just a few highlights include the delivery of our new ambulances kindly sponsored by RACT, they have helped us enormously in carrying out our work.  We have also been able to provide low cost cat desexing both on the North West Coast and Hobart which is very satisfying.  The re-opening of the Hobart Vet clinic to the public was extremely well received and there were a record number of adoptions in Launceston in August.  There was also the very successfully rally held in Hobart supporting the 'Ban of Live Exports'.  We have achieved quite a bit in a short time and planning is well underway to ensure a successful 2012.  I'd like to thank those that assisted with our Christmas Campaign and our major raffle.

You may have noticed my comments in the media over the past few days regarding the decision by a Southern Council not to provide their regular service in assisting with the pick up of stray dogs.  As I clearly demonstrated, the financial position of councils is drastically different to that of RSPCA where we rely on the generosity of the community to allow us to carry out our work, and we simply can not carry out council work for them during the holiday period - resources are just not available.  On that note, once again

I would like to offer my sincere thanks to everyone who supports us in our work and wish you all a safe, happy and prosperous New Year.

Welcome to my latest blog, plenty going on here at RSPCA Tasmania

It continues to be busy for us all at RSPCA.  Some of you may have heard us participating in the outside broadcast of the ABC’s Chris Wisby programme on 19 November.  It was a worthwhile exercise in not only promoting RSPCA, we were able to micro chip in excess of twenty dogs on the day.  One listener made a forty minute drive to have his dog chipped. I’d like to thank the team who gave up their time for an early start on a Saturday morning, and it was also great to see some of our northern volunteers who visited us at our site on the day.  I can never thank our volunteers enough for their continued dedication and support.

You would all be aware of the decision to close the Burnie Shelter and consolidate services at Devonport.  As I have said publicly, the financial position of RSPCA Tasmania, given tough economic times is that two facilities on the North West Coast can no longer be financially viable and we are confident that we can provide better animal welfare outcomes on the North West Coast by resourcing one facility.  A steering committee will manage the exit from the Burnie shelter from now until 30 March 2012

We recently launched our Christmas appeal.  And while the festive season is a time of joy and happiness for many, we have had a very slow uptake as far as donations are concerned.  I really hope that this will turn around quickly, as we need the help and support from our community to ensure that the animals that will may come to us at this time will receive the care that they deserve. Once again I encourage everyone to pass on this message – the gift of a pet is a gift for life. Please spread the word about donating to the RSPCA this Christmas to allow us to continue our vital work