In an effort to find loving homes for as many neglected, homeless and abused animals as possible, Queensland’s oldest and largest animal welfare charity, RSPCA Queensland, is urging the community to dig deep and donate to its Give To Get Them Home appeal, Thursday, 6 October.
As the rising cost of living sees a decrease in adoptions and increase in people applying to surrender their animals, RSPCA is calling on the community to participate in its major annual fundraising appeal, to support the care of animals, as well as helping to provide lifesaving treatment for animals in need.
RSPCA Queensland’s Chief Veterinarian, Dr Anne Chester said the high-energy, 24-hour appeal is an incredible opportunity for Queenslanders to make a difference to the lives of the 47,000 animals who require assistance and intervention from the RSPCA annually.
“The community has always been the backbone of the RSPCA and we rely on the generosity of Queenslanders - no matter how big or small - to help us continue to rescue, rehabilitate, retrain and rehome animals,” said Dr Chester.
“On average, it costs the RSPCA $500 to get an animal ready to find a home – a donation of $46 will provide food for an animal in care, $80 can help cover the cost of a pet’s care for one day, and $120 can help provide specialist surgery to an animal in need.”
This year, every donor will see the impact of their donation immediately doubled, thanks to pledges by RSPCA Queensland’s generous supporters and corporate partners, with all money raised going directly to help homeless, neglected and abused animals in the community and support the charity’s animal welfare advocacy and education work.
Dr Chester said, “We’ve seen a slight decrease in adoptions and only recently, an increase in people applying to surrender their animals in Queensland – with surrender applications in July almost 12% higher than in previous months.
“With the increasing financial pressures on households, we do think these trends could continue, so it has never been more important to support the RSPCA and Give To Get Them Home.”
Since the inception of the appeal in 2019 in Queensland, the funds raised here have helped change the lives of hundreds of animals across the state.
“In 2021, we had more than 1,570 people donate during our Give To Get Them Home appeal, helping raise more than $351,000. This year we are aiming to raise $500,000,” said Dr Chester.
RSPCA Queensland’s target will see 1,000 pets find new homes through this year’s appeal.
RSPCA Queensland’s Give To Get Them Home Giving Day is made possible by generous matching partners Elanco, Royal Canin and Peter Alexander.
For more information about RSPCA’s Give To Get Them Home appeal, visit www.rspcagivingday.com/qld, call (07) 3426 9999, or check out @RSPCAQLD on social media.
