Independent
calls for parliamentary enquiry into the states RSPCA
Imagine
sending health inspectors into a hospital, then blaming the hospital for any
sick patients they find, maybe even go as far as imagining the inspectors take
several patients and euthanizing several based on age related illness.
This may
seem an outrageous statement or indeed comparison, but that would be solely
based on one’s personal capacity to determine the value of life.
The RSPCA
are empowered by and work under the protections found in the Animal welfare Act
of 1985, and as a corporation they are funded by government and by way of
public donations to protect the best interests of all animals in this state.
In South
Australia there are also many privately and community based organisations,
shelters and sanctuaries that rescue, rehabilitate and re-home a variety of
animals.
The only
organisation that attracts taxpayer funded support is the RSPCA, most if not
all other animal rescue organisations are self funded, the only common denominator
is that every rescue organisation must adhere to local legislation and humane
practices.
Imagine if a
self funded rescue or shelter were to be inspected and judged on the condition
of animals when they arrive, rather than the services they provide or even
their success rate.
The RSPCA
recently obtained a warrant to enter Moorook animal shelter, taking 9 animals
based on supposed medical and behavioural issues, one had been dumped just
hours earlier, all were under veterinary care, had adequate food, water and
shelter, some were receiving advanced training others were new arrivals
settling in.
The owner of
Moorook shelter and some volunteers were threatened with massive costs if they
did not sign over chosen animals, they were told specialty care, and extensive
daily charges relating to their housing could go on for months, and for an
organisation that collects scrap metal and cans to help pay the costs, they
were backed into a corner.
Four animals
were immediately euthanized by the RSPCA, one had only arrived at Moorook and
was booked into the Vet’s the very next day, the other 3 were long term
residents who were all much loved by the volunteers and all suffered age
related minor disability’s, begging the question who has the right to make such
decisions, the owner who is a vet nurse and experienced shelter operator, or
the RSPCA.
The other
animals are now the property of the RSPCA, so both the owners and the thousands
of supporters of Moorook shelter need never know what happened to the animals.
Lola the shelter
operator has taken in the old and the weary, abused and neglected and the
unwanted for over a decade, every animal where necessary is vet checked,
temperament tested, trained, micro chipped, de-sexed and very well fed and
loved.
For all her
years of hard work and sacrifice, and the hard work of Moorooks helpers, they
deserved a little respect and support. If there in fact were deserved changes
to be made, then working together as lovers of Animals would be educated and
fair way forward, rather than heavy handed tactics and secrecy.
There would
never be a time in the running of a shelter that it would not contain animals
with behaviour issues, as most are rescued from some very sad situations, so
the RSPCA’s seizure of animals based on barking, growling or over exuberance
from the safe confines of Moorook shelter is unacceptable practice, especially
when most were already undergoing treatment and bonding with the shelter vets
and volunteers.
Moorook has
a very good supporter base, with a strong online presence, integrated social
networking service, and an efficient grass roots fundraising base, and has
re-homed over 1800 animals in the past few years, present re-homing is at
around 7 animal’s a week.
Supporters
have stepped up and offered to adopt from the RSPCA the missing Moorook animals
with no success, one of the seized animals had just received thousands of
dollars in volunteer’s money to have a damaged limb removed and was in the
middle of rehabilitation, something only found in genuine non kill shelters.
The RSPCA
returned for a second inspection on Thursday the 14 March, they
only questioned one of the remaining 150 or more animals based on a health
issue even though it had already been ordered the week before by them to have a
vet check, even though it had been vet checked a couple of days prior to the
initial visit. The RSPCA officers seemed oblivious to the fact shaved
infections once treated take a few days to heal and for the hair to grow back.
During the
second visit the RSPCA decided to tell Moorook how they should build and run a
shelter, I assume based on their multimillion dollar funded ideals, which frown
upon large well fenced enclosures for
their long term residents, because the RSPCA are the end all with their tiny
concrete rooms.
Putting at
risk the survival of any shelter that has homed thousands of animals, is definitely
not what the RSPCA should be about, stepping in to support would be more in
line with the communities expectations.
The Animal
welfare Act does not demand every shelter mimics the well funded RSPCA’s
arrangements, so although Moorook has many similar enclosures with concrete
floors for easy of cleaning, the RSPCA has ordered Moorook to concrete all the
enclosures, even though most animal lovers would prefer to see animals in long
term care have the type of accommodation Morook can offer, massive well fenced
areas, with water food, shelter, baths and room to run, but if Moorook does not
comply, they will be fined and or closed down.
When I
questioned the RSPCA officer on exactly what their powers were, they said “We
can enter any premises and take any animal they want” and this appears to
typify the direction the organisation is now heading, that of being the law,
not there to serve it.
Where we
would expect an organisation funded to protect the best interests of our animal
kingdom, by dropping into support their fellow animal carers and protectors, we
see them using threats and intimidation on good honest caring people, and
actions that result in the euthanasia of animals that had either a happy life
or at least a chance.
My wife and
I, and most of the animal lovers in this state have always support the good
work of the RSPCA, in fact during the QLD floods, I raised thousands of dollars
and tonnes of feed, and towed it up to QLD personally, but like thousands of
angry South Australians my support for the RSPCA over the past week has
decidedly changed, we need the RSPCA, but what we don’t need is the loss of
professional courtesy, a loss of direction nor do we need total disregard of
the laws that protect.
I have
received enough complaints in writing about the RSPCA practices in one week,
hundreds that would fill the coffers of any enquiry, yet my personal experience
with the Moorook inspections, provides adequate proof in itself that a
parliamentary enquiry would be the only way to relieve public concerns.
Whatever
statements are released in defence of their actions, the fact is they have
devastated a caring woman’s life, if not for the huge public support, their
actions had the ability to close one of this state’s hidden treasures, where
love for life is equal in all things.
Parliament should at least discuss this issue, not only to ensure it never happens again, but to restore public confidence in all that the RSPCA stands for.
Mark
Aldridge
Independent
for Wakefield
Owner of
Willow wood sanctuary
MOOROOK CLEAN UP DAY, Map below
MOOROOK CLEAN UP SAT & SUNDAY 6th and 7th of April, this is my current quick list, I will work with supporters on final information
Bring with you, food & water for good luck, bring up any
donations, equipment that will help on the day, shovels, rakes, wire cutters
and clip lock tools, maybe even a few hammers and wheel barrows.
Materials will all be on site, but tie wire 1.5 to 2.00mm
would be handy for a few teams, clip locks for those who know what they are and
possible shade cloth connectors and strip nails.
Jobs will include, walking the dogs, cleaning all runs, back
filling with supplied rubble any enclosures that we will be concreted, ensuring
all enclosures are free from loose wire and fencing is all strong and well
fixed in the older runs, concreting repairs to an old approved section,
collating metal into one area, timber in another and setting up a few new
storage areas for feed.
There is fencing to finish and general tidy up through out
to make Lola’s daily maintenance tasks easier
On my Map, I will list what needs to be done;
1.
Section one has 8 enclosures, all will need to
be concreted once we have development plans, so all the dogs can be walked,
yards levelled sloping forward with the gravel on site, and these enclosures
need tidying up, in regards to sharp edges and loose fencing materials
2.
Section 2 will need a simple clean, but will
need drainage in the future.
3.
Section 3 is the outside run for section 2, it
needs a rake and clean out, and maybe ideal place for any spare kennels.
4.
The container is a mess and needs cleaning out
and all the bedding folded, this will be dedicated to any donated bedding.
5.
This yard area needs a quick tidy up and any
metal moved down the back of the shelter.
6.
Quarantine, needs a clean out only, drainage
will be modified in the future, but if drains can be fixed please do so.
7.
The carport needs organising, all shredded paper
to the right hand rear, the left hand side is for food storage, so clean up, and gets some
pallets and drawers to store both excess cat and dog food of the ground, all
tools and equipment is to be stored in the tool shed (20)
8.
This larger run needs a clean and rake out, and
the old enclosures will become part of the long term renovations, the small
shed door should be kept closed and the insides tidied up.
9.
These 4 larger runs are to be used as exercise
yards, as the RSPCA will not let dogs be kept on dirt , so clean and check
fencing only, 2 kennels per run of we have enough, fill in holes where
possible.
10.
Cat area to be tidied up, leave that to the cat
lovers J
11.
This is steel and storage are, we will fence
this are of, using shade cloth if necessary, that can be found in the shed 21
12.
Again this is not part of the shelter, but we
must pick up all steel scrap and put it in one pile, then fence this area of
again using shade cloth.
13.
This are will be the new air-conditioned quarantine
area, clean up around it, but this area will be awaiting council approval.
14.
This shed needs a clean, and the right hand side
will be for food storage for the dog food only, any old rusty cans that are out
of shape must be piled for disposal, and new feed stacked of the ground.
15.
This unused area is approved by council and the
RSPCA, but needs renovation, concrete repairs, clean the drains, clean the exercise
area, and fix up all the enclosures, with new wire and tin where needed.
16.
This area is also approved and in good
condition, please clean every cage top to bottom, and also remove rubbish and
any un-needed clutter from the outside yard.
17.
These enclosures are also approved, but are kept
solely for older dogs, best we clean and tidy the enclosures and the outside
yard, all scrap where it goes, please check they are all dog proof to ensure
they are save and animals cannot escape.
18.
This area best be cleaned up, so as to be used
as an exercise area.
19.
The whole front area is to be graded, so all materials
must be picked up and piled in steel and wood piles.
20.
All tools and equipment are to be put here
21.
All leads and bowls to be kept here
22.
This is the main fridge, it had broken down, it
has been cleaned but will be inspected, so best we ensure it is as clean as
possible.
Collate all steel into one area behind the new proposed
fencing, all tyres to one area, all wood to one are or several piles, all
batteries to outside the front gates to be recycled and all wheel barrows to
area 7 to be repaired where needed, entrance area and main walk ways to be
raked and cleaned, and we will add rubble, all new fences that we make with
shade cloth can have paw prints painted on by any younger helpers.
Any issues on the Saturday please give me a call 82847482 /
0403379500 Mark Aldridge