HELPING ANIMALS • ENLIGHTENING PEOPLE • CHANGING LIVES

The RSPCA in Queensland

An Overview

Our Mission RSPCA Queensland Inc.

Helping Animals. Enlightening People. Changing Lives.

Five Freedoms for animals…• from hunger & thirst • from discomfort• from pain, injury &

disease• to express normal

behaviour• from fear & distress

Over the years…• 1824 The organisation was

originally formed as the Society Prevention Cruelty (SPC) in England

• 1871 The SPC was established in Australia. At this time it looked after both humans and animals

• 1883 The SPC was established in Queensland

• 1925 The Animal Protection Act was created

Over the years…• 1955 The “Royal” warrant

was issued and the organisation became the “Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty”

• 1970 Qld Government took over the welfare of children leaving the RSPCA to concentrate only on animal welfare

• 2001 The Animal Care and Protection Act was created, replacing the outdated 1925 Act

Objectives and Responsibilities• Prevent cruelty: State-wide

Inspectorate • Promote animal welfare: Nine

Shelters, Animal Training Centres

• Lobbying Government: campaigns & legislation

• Education: “Changing Hearts & Minds”

• Media: RSPCA Animal Rescue

RSPCA Qld StaffIncludes: Animal Attendants, Vet Nurses, Vets, Dog trainers, Animal Behaviourists, Inspectors, Animal Ambulance Officers, Hydro-bath Operators, Administration Assistants, Accountants, Fundraising and Events Coordinators, Media and Public Relations Officers, Education Officers, Human Resources Personnel, IT Support Staff, Call Centre Operators, Retail Assistants, Cleaners…

Our wonderful volunteers!• More than 2000

Volunteers & Foster Parents

• RSPCA Qld Volunteers donate around 10,000 hours of their time per month saving the RSPCA around $2 million per year!

Shelters• RSPCA Qld’s nine

shelters received over 42,500 animals last year.

• All animals are checked by a veterinarian as soon as they arrive at the RSPCA.

RSPCA Shelters• Rockhampton Pet

Shop• RSPCA Inspectorate

have specified areas of service

• Department of Primary Industries

• World For Pets- Springwood- Miami

Bundaberg Gympie

Brisbane

Cairns

Townsville

Toowoomba

DakabinSunshine Coast

Kingaroy

GympieBundaberg

Incoming Animals – 2009/2010

46%

30%

14%

7% 3%

Strays

Surrenders/ seizures

Wildlife

Ambulance

Other

Outgoing animals – 2009/2010

28%

50%

14%3% 5%

Adopted

Euthanased

Reclaimed

Wildlife Released

Other

RSPCA Inspectorate…animal cruelty and the law• The only non-government

body empowered to administer an Act of Parliament.

• Over 13,000 complaints of animal cruelty investigated each year by RSPCA Qld

• More than 50 prosecutions each year

• Over 9,000 animal rescues each year

The Animal Care and Protection Act 2001• The Animal Care and

Protection Act (2001) protects pets and farm animals.

• Breaking this law can result in a fine of up to $100,000 or 2 years imprisonment.

Why do we have the Animal Care and Protection Act?

• Pets and farm animals RELY on humans to care for them and provide them with their needs. If you own an animal, you have a Duty of Care for it and must:

• Provide food and water;• Provide shelter;• Allow the animal to display

normal behaviour;• Treat any disease and injury;• Handle the animal in a way that is

appropriate.

The Nature Conservation Act 1992• The Nature

Conservation Act (1992) protects wildlife.

• Breaking this law can result in a fine of up to $200,000 or 2 years imprisonment.

Why do we have the Nature Conservation Act?

• Wildlife RELY on the natural environment to provide all their needs. The Nature Conservation Act protects:- Wildlife itself. You can not

harm or interfere with native animals.

- Wildlife habitats (their homes). You can not destroy wildlife habitat such as nests.

Wildlife Department• Over 5,300 wildlife

were rescued statewide last year

• 1300 ANIMAL• Voluntary Wildlife

Heroes needed

STOP Animal CrueltyStrong, brave people stand up for animals. Have the courage to report animal cruelty:

- Cruelty Hotline 1300 852 188

- RSPCA Qld 3426 9999- Sick or injured animals

1300 ANIMAL- Local Police

Campaigns• RSPCA campaigns on animal

welfare issues are an important avenue of educating the community on the humane treatment of animals. Some of them include:- Desex – Don’t Kill- Dogs Die in Hot cars- Justice for Animals- Say No to Animals in Circuses;

and - Fair Go For Farm Animals

The Meatrix• The Meatrix (www.themeatrix.com) spoofs The Matrix films and

highlights the problems with factory farming. Instead of Keanu Reeves, The Meatrix stars a young pig, Leo, who lives on a pleasant family farm… he thinks. Leo is approached by a trenchcoat-clad cow, Moopheus, and joins him on a journey to learn more about what goes on behind closed barn doors at factory farms.

• Watch The Meatrix video on the WOAW site:• http://www.woaw.org.au/14andOver/the-meatrix-video-factory-farm/

Humane Education• The RSPCA Qld Education

Department helps children and adults learn how to consider the feelings of animals – and people. We aim to help young people :

• Empathy,• Kindness,• Respect,• Responsibility; and • Courage.

Humane Education• School Visits• Shelter Tours• EMU – Education Mobile

Unit• WOAW! The World Of

Animal Welfare! www.woaw.org.au

Operating Costs• $27 Million Last Year!• Only 2% of this comes from

the State Government.• Fundraising Activities• RSPCA Shops – World for Pets:

- www.worldforpets.com.au• Bequests & Legacies• Sale of Animals• Local Government Pound

Agreements

How can you help?• Raise funds: Million Paws (and

Purrs) Walk, Cupcake Day for the RSPCA

• Raise awareness!• Write letters of protest or support to

your local electorate• Be a Responsible Pet Owner: Desex

and microchip your pet, report to Pet-D-Tect if lost, train your pet

• Report sick or injured animals: 1300 ANIMAL

• Report animal cruelty• Find out more:

www.rspcaqld.org.au, www.woaw.org.au