Announcement of the successful tenderer for Launceston’s animal shelter and pound services is expected next month as the RSPCA looks to its brighter future.
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World Animal Day was on October 4 and the RSPCA used the day as a platform to reconfirm its commitment as an advocate for animals and ensure it services would continue throughout the state.
RSPCA chief executive and head veterinarian Andrew Byrne said the future of the organisation in Tasmania had never been in doubt, but the past 12 months had been one of transformation.
“What we have had to do is tighten up our fiscal drain, which involved the closure of the shelter at Mornington, and consider what we do here [Launceston],” he said.
The Launceston Animal Care Centre is the largest in the state and has about 2000 animals per year processed through the centre.
However it was running at a $300,000 per year loss, which was just not viable for the organisation.
“Most importantly, we want to be very clear on the point that the RSPCA is not reducing its services in Tasmania,” Dr Byrne said.
“Rather we are redefining our future and working to deliver an RSCPA that is secure in its responsibility to care and protect Tasmania’s most vulnerable animals.
The comments come amid speculation and concern over the future of Launceston’s animal care centre.
Dr Byrne said the RSPCA was moving to a “more sustainable and financially responsible centralised model of care” and an increase in its inspectorate services.
In a bid to support the organisation, the City of Launceston council agreed to assist the RSPCA until the end of August through a $25,000 a month agreement, which was additional to the funding the council provided for dog pound services.
In August, the state government announced it was provide funding to the City of Launceston for the transition of animal pound and shelter services in Northern Tasmania until the end of the year.
Acting general manager Leanne Hurst said the council would assess the tender submissions over the next few days before making a decision on who will operate the animal shelter and pound services for the region.
"Over the next few days, we will assess those tender submissions and make a recommendation to the Council's Tender Review Committee shortly after," Mrs Hurst said.
"We hope to be in a position to make an announcement on those services by the end of October or early November."
Meanwhile, an expression of interest for the provision of cat shelter services has also closed.
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