RSPCA South Australia is in a desperate race against time to rehome animals before a potential lockdown of its three shelters.
There are currently about 700 animals in the organisation’s care, 400 of them accommodated in shelters located at Lonsdale, Whyalla and Port Lincoln.
Fears are mounting of an imminent closure with both RSPCA UK and SPCA in New Zealand announcing the lockdown of all their shelters by close of business yesterday.
Both RSPCA UK and SPCA are now not adopting or fostering out any animals, nor admitting any animals from members of the public. Inspectors are still attending to callouts for animals in need.
RSPCA Australia is seeking clarity from the government on the definition of essential services.
RSPCA South Australia’s CEO Paul Stevenson said it was impossible to over-emphasize the gravity of the situation for the animals in the organisation’s care.
“What we are facing here is the potential for 400 animals to be kept at our shelters for months – no-one knows when this will end,” Mr Stevenson said.
“Now, more than at any time in our organisation’s 144 year history, we need our community to help by either adopting animals, becoming regular donors or sticking with us if they are already regular donors.”
The Covid-19 outbreak has impacted the organisation in multiple ways, including:
• Closure of all nine Op-shops
• Suspension of dog training classes
• Reduction in number of volunteers
• Reduction in number of regular donors
All RSPCA South Australia’s shelters currently remain open and have reduced adoption fees. Extended hours continue at the Lonsdale shelter.
Today and Friday, the Lonsdale shelter is open for adoptions from 10am until 7pm.
Over the weekend, the Lonsdale shelter will be open from 10am to 5pm.
Due to new safety measures including social distancing, anyone interested in adopting an animal is required to book online before visiting the shelter.
RSPCA South Australia is asking the public not to surrender animals unless it is an emergency situation.
The organisation is also asking that people cease leaving donations outside its now closed Op-shops as this is adding additional workload to already strained staff.
“We adopted 319 animals in the past week – we know we have so many animal lovers among our community,” Mr Stevenson said.
“Please, if you can, help us in our care for animals through this incredibly challenging time of crisis.”
RSPCA South Australia’s veterinary team is working around the clock to desex as many animals as possible so they can be adopted. (Some of the animals in care are not able to be adopted at this stage for a variety of reasons, including that they are too young, recovering from injury or the subject of current prosecutions.)
With new animals becoming available every day, anyone interested in adopting an animal is encouraged to check RSPCA South Australia’s website adoption pages regularly. They are being updated within 10 minutes of animals becoming available.
Reduced Adoption fees
Cats (over 6 months old) – $29 (down from $99)
Kittens – $99 (down from $245)
Dogs – $99 (down from $380)
All animals available to adopt are vaccinated, desexed, microchipped, have parasite protection up-to-date and have been vet-checked.
Adoption appointments can be booked HERE.
Animals available to adopt can be viewed at: https://www.rspcasa.org.au/adopt/
If you cannot adopt an animal at this time, please become a regular donor to support our rescue and care of animals during this crisis.
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