Council and RSPCA agree to transition animal services
Date published: 6 April 2018
Townsville Mayor, Jenny Hill, invited the RSPCA Qld to attend a meeting this week, regarding its plans to transition away from providing services in Townsville.
Cr Hill said the meeting was extremely productive and a way forward has been agreed to by Townsville City Council and the RSPCA Qld.
The agreement allows both organisations to focus on their core responsibilities, Townsville City Council focussing on animal management and the RSPCA on animal welfare and most importantly, fund those responsibilities.
“I’d like to thank the RSPCA Qld for meeting with me and holding such productive discussions,” Cr Hill said. “Both Council and the RSPCA want to ensure the highest levels of animal shelter services are provided to our community during this transition.”
By the end of the month Townsville City Council will manage the city pound operations and the RSPCA Qld will concentrate on the welfare responsibilities particularly its Inspectorate operations.
Council has generously offered to accommodate the Inspectorate needs with provision of pens and an office area.
RSPCA Qld CEO, Mark Townend said, “whenever you go into negotiations you look for a way forward and in this case, thanks to the very reasonable approach from the Mayor and support from her fellow elected members, an acceptable outcome has been achieved. Council will take over the management of the pound and the RSPCA can return to direct welfare and cruelty prevention programs. The animals of the region will be the big beneficiaries with an increased focus on animal welfare into the region.”
