Tag Archives: animal shelter

Council calling for volunteers to help abandoned pets


April 27, 2015

Redland City Council is hoping to harness the well-known Redlands’ spirit to assist local abandoned animals.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said she had been inundated with offers of help after Council last week announced it would take on the task of re-homing animals due to the RSPCA being unable to continue the long-standing arrangement.

“It has only been a few days since Council had to take on the task of re-homing animals and already we have been contacted by numerous locals wanting to know how they can help,” she said.

“This says a lot about our residents and the tremendous sense of community that exists, and prompted me to look at how we can use the fantastic community spirit to help our abandoned animals.

“After speaking with Council officers I am today launching an animal shelter volunteer program, calling for residents, community groups and local businesses who love animals to assist our animal shelter in caring for abandoned animals.”

Cr Williams said anyone who was interested in helping could visit Council’s website and register as an animal shelter volunteer.

“We are looking for people to do a variety of things to care for these animals, including walking, feeding and grooming the animals while they wait to be adopted,” she said.

“Because we have had to move so quickly to find an alternative method of re-homing animals, we are still putting the mechanisms in place and we ask people to be patient while this is worked through.

“This also applies for the volunteer program, but while we are still looking at how this will work there is no doubt we need help and the Redlands’ community has the passion to provide that help.

“The plan is for all suitable animals to be advertised through Council’s website and a dedicated ‘Redlands Animal Shelter’ Facebook page along with details of the volunteer program and other ways the community can assist.

“While these pages are being set up people can sign up to volunteer on Council’s website at http://redlnd.cc/ShelterVolunteers

“We are also continuing conversations with animal welfare agencies to ensure the best possible outcomes for these animals.”

How much is that doggy from Council?


April 22, 2015

Council today voted to take responsibility for re-homing unclaimed and abandoned animals after the RSPCA advised it was unable to continue a long-standing agreement to accept our animals.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said Council had been preparing to take on the task from July but had to move quickly after the RSPCA advised last week they weren’t able to take any more animals effective immediately.

“Council has had a long-standing arrangement with the RSPCA who has always done fantastic work in re-homing our animals,” Cr Williams said.

“Unfortunately they no longer have the resources to continue with this agreement, so Council has quickly stepped up to fill the void to ensure these animals can find new homes.

“As with everything, we will also continue to look at other options for re-homing the animals such as community groups taking over the service in the interests of these animals’ welfare.”

Cr Williams said that when officers found a lost animal, it would be initially scanned for a microchip or checked for a registration tag in an attempt to identify an owner.

“Our priority will be to locate the animal’s owner,’’ she said.

“In the event the animal has no identification, the details of the animal will be placed onto Council’s webpage.

“If after a period of time no owner can be located, the animal will be assessed to determine its suitability for adoption – taking into consideration its age, health and temperament before it is made available for sale.”

Council’s animal management spokesperson Cr Lance Hewlett said Council was hoping to have a dedicated Facebook page and website page running soon to allow the animals to be advertised.

“The aim is for the animals to be listed on Council’s website, including a photo, and information on the breed, age, price and other details people require when choosing a pet,” he said.

“If a person is interested in any of the listed animals, they can visit the animal shelter for a meet and greet and purchase their new pet.

“Because we have had to move so quickly to find an alternative method of re-homing animals there is still some work to be done and we are asking for everyone’s patience while things are finalised.”