Council helps RSCPA to build Animal Care Facility at Mount Bassett

A parcel of council-owned reserve land at Mount Bassett will help RSPCA Qld establish an Animal Care Facility in Mackay.

Health, Sport and Recreation portfolio councillor Paul Steindl said the Mackay Friends of the RSCPA group have been successfully fundraising for this facility for a number of years.

“Together with the assistance and approval of RSPCA Qld, they (Mackay Friends of the RSPCA group) have reached the point where a purpose built facility can now be realised and therefore have approached council,” Cr Steindl said.

“Council has agreed to offer RSPCA Qld an area of council controlled land at Mount Bassett in order to allow the establishment of an Animal Care Facility to supplement the existing Animal Pound in the same vicinity,” he said.

“Given the need for the provision of increased animal management services in the region and the availability of this land in close proximity to our current Pound facilities, this project will be of great benefit to the animals and our community.”

In the future, it is hoped that the animals taken to the council pound will be assessed and vet checked on arrival before being transferred to the RSPCA facility for re-homing.

Mayor Col Meng said this relationship is an extremely promising one for our furry friends.

“It is intended that the Animal Care Facility staffed by the RSPCA will be open to the public as much as possible, particularly on weekends,” Cr Meng said.

“Whilst the two facilities will be run separately, it is envisaged that there may be a future opportunity for the whole operation to be run by the RSPCA allowing council to concentrate on its statutory regulatory responsibilities such as responding to animal complaints.”

In the first three weeks of this year, council has already impounded 43 dogs – 32 of those re-homed (to their original owner or new homes) and regrettably 11 had to be euthanised.

Cr Steindl said council continuously promotes the message of Responsible Pet Ownership and encourages residents to think twice before getting a pet as they are a long-term commitment.

However, if you are ready to care for a dog or cat, please consider adopting one from the Pound and help save a life. To view the animals that are currently available for adoption, simply visit www.mackay.qld.gov.au/poundpets or phone 1300 MACKAY (622 529).

Contact: Mackay Regional Council

Phone: Mackay