RSPCA Sale

On 22 January 2013, RSPCA Victoria closed its shelter and adoption facilities on Hunt Place, Wurruk. RSPCA Sale has been providing these services to the Sale and Gippsland region for 10 years.

Helen Cocks, Executive Manager, Animal Services, RSPCA Victoria said: “The decision to close our facilities in Sale was carefully considered and not taken lightly. As an animal welfare charity dependent on funding from the community, we must continually evaluate the best use of our resources, and currently, our adoption and shelter services in Sale duplicate those that are currently being offered by the council owned pound in the same area.

“As such, the demand for our shelter and adoption services in Sale is relatively low, with our facility admitting approximately six animals per week. As RSPCA Sale’s services are the same as those being offered by the Council run pound contractor, Animal Aid, we do not expect demand to increase to a level that warrants the need for two Animal Welfare centres in such close proximity.

Ms. Cocks adds that despite the closure of RSPCA Sale, RSPCA Victoria remains highly committed to increasing positive welfare outcomes for all animals in the Gippsland region.

“The RSPCA will maintain a strong presence in the area with our Inspectorate Services and we hope to find a suitable, alternative location in Sale for our Inspector to be based. We will also continue to undertake proactive animal welfare initiatives. This will include providing free desexing and microchipping schemes to cat owners residing in the Wellington municipality who hold a Health Care Card for at least the next two years.   

“The RSPCA will also continue to make educational services available to local schools as well as carrying out community awareness campaigns. RSPCA supporters will also have other opportunities to engage with and support the work of the RSPCA, including attendance and participation in our Million Paws Walk. It is possible that in the future these types of targeted initiatives may operate from our Mobile Animal Care (MAC) Unit.  

“RSPCA Victoria would like to take the opportunity to thank staff, volunteers and the Sale community for its support of our shelter and adoption facility. We also look forward to continuing to work together with the community to ensure positive welfare outcomes,” Ms. Cocks concludes.