Funding for animal welfare

RSPCA Queensland services are deeply integrated within Queensland communities, significantly influencing government commitments and objectives in animal welfare, conservation, and social impact. Notably, our Inspectorate operates on behalf of the Queensland Government, reinforcing our critical role.

With over 140 years of experience in delivering extensive animal welfare outcomes, RSPCA Queensland is uniquely positioned to achieve substantial results. Government funding would enable us to maintain delivery of these essential services, ensuring that we can continue to meet the growing demands of animals in need of help and fulfill our mission to create lasting change in the lives of animals and communities alike.

RSPCA Inspectors are appointed by the Government (Department of Agriculture and Fisheries) to actively investigate animal welfare complaints and enforce the Animal Care and Protection Act (2001). Responding to 13,883 animal welfare complaints in FY24, the cost to deliver this service on behalf of the Queensland Government is well over $7 million per year.

The funding currently received by the Queensland Government does not adequately support this critical service, putting further pressure on the organisation to find the funds needed to employ our Inspectors and pay for their training, fit for purpose vehicles and safety equipment.  We also need funds to provide safe and suitable housing and medical treatment for seized or surrendered animals.

We are asking the Queensland Government to fully fund the Inspectorate service with $39.1 million dollars over the next four years. This funding would enable us to use the contributions from our generous donors to enhance our impact such as expanding community programs, rather than using these funds to support the government's enforcement of animal welfare legislation.

The growing demand for animal welfare services, particularly in wildlife rescue, triage, treatment, release, and rehabilitation, calls for strategic intervention in Queensland. The current Wacol Wildlife Hospital, designed to handle 8,000 animals annually, cared for over 23,000 animals in FY24, highlighting the urgent need for funding of a new facility.

The new Wildlife Hospital Centre of Excellence is a purpose-built facility that will not only manage the high volume of incoming wildlife but also function as research and education hub for future wildlife veterinary professionals and the community.

Image: Vision of what the Wildlife Centre of Excellence will look like

A project of this magnitude requires a $25 million investment to turn this vision into reality.  To date, the project has secured 1 hectare of land and the necessary financial commitment from Redland City Council for the new eco precinct connections. In addition, the project received $5m grant funding from the Australian Government under the Saving Koalas Fund and RSPCA Queensland supporters have already pledged generous philanthropic gifts towards the hospital build, contributing $1.7 million.

State government support for this initiative with a $15 million capital contribution, will demonstrate the governments strong commitment to the future of Queensland's wildlife and align with existing government efforts into the South-East Queensland Koala Conservation Strategy and the Threatened Species Program 2020-2040.