Demand on animal rescue groups in the state’s North has never been greater, according to stakeholders.
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Just Cats Tasmania owner Rachel Beech said her Longford shelter currently had almost 100 cats in its care.
It comes as discussions regarding the future viability of Launceston’s RSPCA Animal Care Centre continues.
Ms Beech said if the RSPCA centre was to close, the ramifications would be huge.
“We are talking about upwards of 2000 cats a year and those numbers just keep growing,” she said.
“If the centre closed tomorrow, we would be one of the first groups to put our hands up to help and we have already made that clear.
“The council and the community really need to get behind this, because if the funding doesn’t go to the RSPCA it will eventually be needed for other rescue groups who are picking up the services.”
On Friday, City of Launceston general manager Michael Stretton said the council was committed to ensuring the welfare of animals in the state’s North.
Big Ears Animal Sanctuary co-owner Brett Steele said many animal rescue groups were struggling to meet the demand on services.
“Personally I don’t think it [RSPCA] will close,” he said.
“But a lot of these responsibilities should be falling upon [animal] owners, but that doesn’t seem to happen.
“Pets and animals are still often considered a disposable commodity and there is still too much breeding in the community.”
Mr Steele said his “grassroots” sanctuary, located at Prospect, would not be in a position to take on more animals if the Launceston RSPCA centre was to close.
On Friday Mr Stretton said the council expected to be able to say more, regarding the RSPCA, in the near future.