The Glenelg Shire Council is moving forward with its transition towards a new animal management service model for 2022, forging a number of key partnerships which will ensure animal welfare remains paramount.
From January 14 the operations of the current Dart’s Road animal shelter in Portland will no longer be coordinated by RSPCA Victoria, with council taking full ownership.
However, the not-for-profit organisation will continue to play a crucial role.
The Glenelg Shire has struck an industry leading shared service arrangement and will continue to work with RSPCA Victoria from their Warrnambool animal management centre.
Under this new arrangement, all animals in the Glenelg Shire that are not registered and have been surrendered, abandoned or lost, will be transferred to the RSPCA Victoria animal shelter in Warrnambool.
Glenelg Shire Mayor Anita Rank said the shared arrangement would provide confidence to the community by maintaining the relationship with RSPCA Victoria and their animal care expertise whilst also providing ratepayers with the financial benefits that a regional pound model can provide.
“This new model, which will be in effect from 2022, will ensure RSPCA Victoria continues to remain involved in local operations and that animal welfare is at the heart of animal shelter services,” she explained.
“Animals that are taken to the Darts Road shelter and are not registered, will be transferred to the RSPCA Victoria animal shelter in Warrnambool.
“From there, they will be made available for adoption, unless an owner comes forward to collect within eight days.
“If an animal is registered however, Glenelg Local laws staff will endeavour to return the animal to their owners or if unable to be contacted, owners will be able to collect direct from the Portland shelter.
“This is the key difference – the responsibility will be on pet-owners to ensure their furry friends are registered and not transferred to RSPCA Warrnambool.
“We look for forward to operating the centre from January 2022, and we also look forward to strengthening our relationship with key agencies such as the RSPCA and the Warrnambool City Council to ensure animals in the Glenelg Shire are given the best opportunities.”
RSPCA Victoria’s CEO Dr Liz Walker said that after 15 years of commitment to the animals and people of the Portland community she was pleased to continue the relationship with Glenelg Shire Council.
“We look forward to complementing the work of Glenelg Shire Council and providing important animal welfare services via our Warrnambool Shelter,” she said.
“RSPCA Victoria has delivered a high standard of care to the animals who have passed through the doors of the Portland shelter and this new shared model allows our Warrnambool team to continue to support the community and our important work to prevent animal cruelty across the state.”
