On Monday 22 July, RSPCA Toowoomba’s Banksy Vet Clinic opened thanks to the generous support of community donors.

RSPCA Toowoomba’s Wellcamp Animal Care Centre opened in 2020, but an operational veterinary clinic on-site required additional funding.

Thanks to local philanthropist Rodney Banks (pictured above) - which the vet clinic is named after - and major donors George and June Baumber (pictured below), the Ison family and a bequest from the late Nancy Borsht the $1.3m vet clinic was able to be completed. RSPCA Queensland is grateful to these very kind supporters who turned their vision into a reality.

“Their commitment will have a lasting impact on so many animals in the Toowoomba region and resonate far into the future, enabling the RSPCA to continue providing exceptional care for all animals,” says RSPCA Queensland CEO, Darren Maier.

The new clinic has dedicated spaces for dogs and cats, operating theatres and an X-ray room is soon to be installed.

Every year RSPCA Toowoomba takes in around 2,400 domestic animals. A third of those animals require additional veterinary support and are transported to the RSPCA’s Wacol facilities to receive care.

The new Banksy Vet Clinic will see animals coming into Toowoomba treated on-site without needing to be transported to West Toowoomba Vet Surgery, or the RSPCA’s Brisbane facility.

Dr Anne Chester, RSPCA Queensland’s Chief Veterinary Officer says, “Treating animals on-site rather than transporting them elsewhere will positively impact their welfare and help to reduce the length of stay for these animals.”

With the cost-of-living crisis impacting pet owners and increasing pressure on the Toowoomba RSPCA to accept increasing pet surrender applications, the completion of the Banksy Vet Clinic is a positive outcome for Toowoomba animals.

Toowoomba Mayor Geoff McDonald was at the Banksy Vet Clinic opening and has praised the charity and their donors saying it will be mutually beneficial to Council. “It’s a great relationship, it continues to be built and the opening of the Banksy Vet Clinic here at RSPCA Wellcamp is another example of that.”

Over 4,000 animals have been rehomed by the RSPCA from Council since 2019.

RSPCA Queensland is now looking for additional vets to join the team to help run the facility.

Dr Chester says, “There has been a veterinarian shortage and it’s been tough, but we will certainly be looking for additional support for our current vet at Toowoomba.”