RSPCA Tasmania will receive vital advice and education on its business model into the future, thanks to a chance encounter between RSPCA Tasmania general manager Peter West and RSPCA Queensland operations and facilities manager George Costi.
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The pair first met in 1999 and exchanged animal ties at a business meeting, but have not seen each other in 14 years.
That was until advice from RSPCA Australia suggested they reunite and discuss ways to improve Tasmania's growing RSPCA operation.
After collecting his long lost pal from Launceston Airport, Mr West said the meeting provided an opportunity for him to learn more in his new-found role as general manager.
``I've been here four months, running animal centres is not my background,'' he said.
``So getting people who have the background in animals and who have been there and done it, is a big help.
``Queensland RSPCA has had a huge turnaround in the last couple of years, so the operations of the Queensland RSPCA have held up as a model for RSPCAs around Australia. Our operation is tiny compared to theirs.
``We'll come out of this with a good idea and plan on how to develop Tassie - you can always learn something new.''
Mr Costi, who has held his role with RSPCA Queensland for four years, said the organisation's goal was the same across the nation.
``The challenge is to stop the volume of animals coming through preventative programs and education,'' he said.
Mr Costi has spent the past couple of days touring Tasmanian animal shelters and meeting employees and volunteers and will return to Queensland tomorrow.