The South East Animal Welfare League (SEAWL) is issuing a warning to visitors following an incident at the shelter.


SEAWL shelter manager Marica “Ritzy” Perkovic is warning the public that verbal abuse will not be tolerated after the incident involving her volunteer staff and a visitor to the shelter.


“The incident involved a member of the public who had become verbally abusive to one of our young volunteers and gardener,” Ms Perkovic said.


Ms Perkovic said a new warning sign will be going up at the SEAWL premises warning the shelter has “a zero-tolerance policy.


Anyone who is abusive, aggressive, violent or threatening, will be asked to leave”.


Ms Perkovic said the abusive behavior from the public has got to the point where she feels enough is enough.


“Due to increased activity of people arriving unannounced, aggressively attempting to dump their own animals on us and being difficult to deal with when we say no,” she said.


“We do not tolerate any abusive behaviour towards team members and volunteers.


“Having a shelter premises to operate puts us in the direct line of abuse from irrational community members.


“Grown men are being abusive, disrespectful and threatening to our young female team members. This is disgusting behaviour and not tolerated.”


Ms Perkovic said there is no excuse for abuse and any verbal and physical behaviour is recorded.


“We have CCTV cameras onsite and everything you say and do is recorded,” she said.


Ms Perkovic said the most recent incident involved resulted in the young volunteer making a police report.


“Most young people do not cope and are shaken. It is confronting when someone just turns up unexpected ranting and raving, using profanity and is threatening. They also came with two other people which is intimidating,” she said.


“It can be a blow to confidence. Noone is going to want to work out here. Who wants to go to work to be abused.”


Ms Perkovic said the site has seen an increase in abusive incidents.


“It’s sad. It’s happening way too often. At least once a week now. It used to be once a fortnight, once a month,” she said.


“It’s always happened. Just more so lately.


“Some people think they can turn up (without prior arrangement) and drop their dog off. Some people generally do not know that’s not how it works and get frustrated.


“They just want things done instantly, but it does not work like that. Abusing our volunteers is not going to get your own way.


“There’s no excuse for it. There are other people struggling that do not come in behaving like that.


“Most people are pretty good when they come in and are told they cannot surrender at that time.


“In circumstances where people accept no, they go on a wait list and do the right thing.”


Ms Perkovic reminded the public that surrenders operate on a booking system only.


“People need to call and book an appointment. We need two staff members on to assess the dog for aggression and behaviour,” she said.


However, there is no guarantee the SEAWL will shelter a dog.


“If we took everyone that turns up, where would we put them all. Our kennel space caters for 12 dogs,” Ms Perkovic said.


She said the site is currently at capacity and has a two month wait list.


Despite this, she said the SEAWL offers support for other methods of rehoming dogs and cats.


“When we cannot take them, we can discuss assisted rehoming options such as privately or through foster based rescue,” Ms Perkovic said.


It is the responsibility of pet owners to explore all possible avenues of rehoming their pet before surrendering the animal to the SEAWL.


The SEAWL also aims to provide community education on responsible pet ownership.


This includes registration, microchipping, vaccination, worming, flea treatment, nutrition and training.


As an independent not-for-profit organisation, the SEAWL relies on the generous support of the community.


The organisation gratefully accepts monetary donations, volunteering, animal food, bedding, sponsoring a cage or making a bequeath.


Appointments are required to surrender an animal to the SEAWL.


For more information about animal surrender, phone 8723 1933.