The RSPCA is set to receive an additional $200,000 in funding to support their 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625) hotline thanks to the Palaszczuk Government.
Visiting the RSPCA Brisbane Animal Care Campus today, Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch said the RSPCA plays an important role in the care and rehabilitation of sick and injured wildlife across the state.
“The 1300 ANIMAL hotline is an essential part of their service and this extra $200,000 will be able to keep the 46 staff in place to handle emergency phone calls and get wildlife carers to animals in distress,” Ms Enoch said.
“Call centre staff receive phone calls from the public about sick, injured, orphaned and deceased wildlife, and other wildlife care matters on a 24/7 basis.”
Ms Enoch said that with the additional funding the RSPCA is now receiving $900,000 in direct funding for this financial year from the Queensland Government.
“$400,000 will be allocated to the 1300 ANIMAL hotline and $500,000 to support the operations of the RSPCA Wildlife Hospital as part of the SEQ Wildlife Hospital Network.”
RSPCA Chief Executive Officer Mark Townend welcomed the funding and said it is vital for the RSPCA to continue their work.
“The pressure we’re feeling from the crown’s animals (wildlife) intake is building every year and shows no sign of abating,” Mr Townend said.
“The call centre is vital in that it provides everyone with a one stop number to call and report a native animal in distress.
“1300 ANIMAL is now known state wide and the benefits are being seen on a daily basis.
“As I’m sure everyone knows, the RSPCA is a charity and as such needs financial assistance to deal with wildlife issues that are actually crown owned animals.
“Funding is particularly tight at the moment so this announcement is very welcome indeed.”
Ms Enoch said the RSPCA’s statistics for the 2018-2019 financial year show how hard the respected organisation works to provide care for Queensland’s native animals.
“The 1300 ANIMAL call centre received more than 104,000 calls, which is about 285 per day.
“Through its state-wide network of animal carers, the RSPCA accepted more than 24,000 native animals that needed care,” Ms Enoch said.
“The Queensland Government is proud to work in partnership with the RSPCA and help them take care of animals in need.”
Ms Enoch said the Palaszczuk Government is delivering on its commitment to protect Queensland’s koalas.
“We have allocated $1.5 million in this year’s budget to continued Koala conservation efforts.
“Further to this, the new Koala Conservation Strategy is in its final stages of being developed in consultation with a range of stakeholders, including the Koala Advisory Council which the Government established last year,” Ms Enoch said.
“This strategy will include a comprehensive review of Queensland’s planning framework that relates to koala habitat protection and ensure koalas are protected for the long term.”
