Lost, stray or abandoned dogs around Launceston have a new home away from home, with dog management services again being provided by Dogs' Homes Tasmania after 32 years.
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The Launceston RSPCA Animal Care Centre held its final adoption day at the Mowbray facility on December 23, before ceasing operations due to financial issues.
Partly-funded by the City of Launceston Council, the contract with RSPCA expired on December 31, with council assuming management of the services for an interim period.
"The big headline is 'we're back'," Dogs' Homes of Tasmania chief executive Michael Sertori said. "As the largest dog welfare organisation we thought this was something we must do."
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The organisation also operates shelters in Hobart, Devonport and Burnie. "So we're back to truly being statewide now," Mr Setori added.
"Our founder [Joan 'Gladys' Rawsom BEM] opened the dogs home in Launceston in 1964, and we left in '87, so we're celebrating being back where we belong which is great."
Just Cats - based out of Longford - took over regional cat management in December after the RSPCA departure. In June, the Launceston centre said it was operating at a loss of about $25,000 per month.
The Examiner revealed the RSPCA would close its Hobart centre in March last year, as part of plans to divest a number of "non-core practices".
The centre officially closed on June 1, with agreements between the RSPCA and welfare groups Dogs' Homes of Tasmania and 10 Lives, to assist in re-homing animals.
Dogs' Homes of Tasmania reunited 1500 lost or stray dogs with their owners in 2018, as well as finding new homes for more than 1000 unwanted or unclaimed dogs.
With the acquisition of the Launceston Dogs' Home, the number of dogs supported across Tasmania in any year is expected to jump to 3500.
With dogs up for adoption vaccinated, microchipped and treated for fleas and worms, Mr Setori said anyone wanting to come and meet the dogs was more than welcome. "You don't have to make a decision on the spot," he said. "It's a big decision, so getting it right is important."
There are also opportunities for volunteers to help take the sheltered dogs on their twice-daily walks, along with families able to foster them until they can be adopted.
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Matt Dennien
Matt Dennien is a journalist at The Examiner, based in Launceston. Contact him via email at matt.dennien@examiner.com.au, or more securely via Signal on +61 437 672 994.
Matt Dennien is a journalist at The Examiner, based in Launceston. Contact him via email at matt.dennien@examiner.com.au, or more securely via Signal on +61 437 672 994.
