For RSPCA staff and volunteers, saying goodbye is never easy – particularly when animals are involved.
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On Saturday the farewells will be twice as hard as the Launceston Animal Care Centre team mark the end of an era.
In what will be the last official day of trading, staff and volunteers remain committed to ensuring all animals find a ‘furever’ home.
On Saturday, all animals aged over six months will be available for 50 per cent off the regular price of adoption.
With about 14 dogs and a number of cats still needing homes, centre manager Lorraine Hamilton said it wasn’t going to be easy.
“It is the last day that the public will have the opportunity to come in and see us and hopefully take one of the animals home,” she said.
“It is really hard and what’s tough about it is I am really sad that the RSPCA has lost another facility.
“Everyone here has worked so hard, for so long, and I think we generally do it very well.
“The staff and volunteers here have formed a really close little sort of family relationship.
“So it is really sad from that point of view.”
Any animals not adopted on Saturday will be transferred to the RSPCA’s Spreyton site.
While departing from the Mowbray shelter, RSPCA Tasmania will continue to fulfill inspectorate services in the state’s North.
It is also hoping to establish a new animal care facility in Launceston, however not all current jobs have been retained.
Among those saying goodbye is cat team leader Rebecca Kosta, who said her role with the RSPCA had always been more than just a job.
“It has been the best job I have ever had,” she said.
“The staff, we are all in the same head space – we are all here for the animals.
“It is just an amazing team to work with. I don’t want to leave.
“I have just learned so much about cats and animal welfare.
“I think we have made a real difference here, and I am so grateful to have been a part of that.”
The City of Launceston council have temporarily assumed the management of dog pound services, until the new provider Dogs’ Homes of Tasmania, commences operations on January 30.
Just Cats Tasmania will officially take over cat management for the state’s North from January 1.
Jessica Willard
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
