The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty To
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The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Victoria) 3 Burwood Highway, Burwood East VIC 3151 P 03 9224 2222 F 03 9224 2200 www.rspcavic.org ACN 131 965 761 ABN 56 749 449 191 RSPCA Victoria Annual Report 2010 3 Contents 04 RSPCA profile 05 Vision, objectives and values 06 The year at a glance 08 The year ahead 10 President’s report 12 RSPCA Directors 14 CEO’s report 16 Organisational effectiveness 18 Developing our people 20 Engaging Victorians 22 Campaigning for change 24 Supporting bushfire communtities 26 Inspectorate 30 Enhancing the Five Freedoms for animals - veterinary care 32 Enhancing the Five Freedoms for animals - shelters 36 Community presence 40 Income generation 42 Major donors Cassandra D’Alessandro was one of the first students to graduate from our Certificate 43 Corporate partners II in Animal Studies course. This interactive 10 week-course offered by the RSPCA and 44 Honorary Life Members Victoria University, was introduced in 2009. With the help of education animals such 45 Bequests and Trusts as the much-loved Penny (featured with Cassandra), the program provides a fantastic opportunity for high school students to expand their companion animal knowledge and 46 Financial report learn the skills required to work in the animal care industry. 59 RSPCA contact details RSPCA profile The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Victoria) was established in Melbourne in 1871. Since this time, the RSPCA has become Australia’s leading animal welfare charity. RSPCA Victoria is a member of RSPCA Australia (the federation of the eight state and territory RSPCAs in Australia). The RSPCA National Board consists of the Presidents or their nominees from each member Society, with the CEOs in attendance as advisors. Across the state, the RSPCA’s community services include the work undertaken by our Inspectorate, Animal Shelters and Education teams. The RSPCA operates ten animal welfare shelters in Victoria, providing refuge and care and where possible, offering thousands of animals a second chance. Our team of RSPCA Inspectors works to protect animals from cruelty, investigates complaints, prosecutes offenders and rescues animals from dangerous situations. Our education team contributes to prevention strategies by influencing young people about the value and importance of animals in our lives. The RSPCA works tirelessly to educate the community regarding animal welfare and to advocate for improved legislation. Legislative improvements to protect animals have been achieved at both state and federal levels, thanks to the continued Merlot and Cooper, two orphaned Eastern Grey Kangaroos, are survivors of the 2009 Victorian bushfires. lobbying of the RSPCA. Both of their mothers, who had bravely survived the bushfires, were hit by cars on exposed roadways whilst desperately searching for new feeding grounds. When found, Merlot and Cooper were both extremely As a not-for-profit organisation, the RSPCA relies on community underweight, so they needed to recover in the hands of experienced wildlife carers. Cooper became a support to care for ‘all creatures great and small’. Only 3% of constant companion for Merlot, helping to keep her warm and nursing her back to good health. They became the RSPCA’s operating expenses is supported by a grant from inseparable during their recovery and are nick-named ‘Romeo and Juliet’, a true story of survival and the Victorian State Government, so we truly are an organisation unconditional love. funded by the generous Victorian community. The RSPCA has provided ongoing emergency relief since the 2009 Victorian bushfires to many wildlife carers, including the Wildhaven Wildlife Shelter who have nurtured Merlot and Cooper back to good health. 4 That all animals, great and small, are: Free from hunger and thirst. Free from discomfort. Free from pain, injury and disease. Free to express normal behaviour. Free from fear and distress. The RSPCA’s objectives are to promote and enhance the Accountability wellbeing of society and the welfare of its animals by: Preparedness to be held accountable for plans, actions and outcomes. Educating the Victorian community regarding the humane treatment and management of animals Professionalism and increasing public awareness of, and support for, Behaviour and standards that set the benchmark animal welfare. for other organisations. Enforcing the existing laws to prevent cruelty to animals. Integrity Soundness of judgment and honesty in everything Influencing the amendment or development of we do. legislation and standards considered necessary for the protection and welfare of animals. Openness Encouraging and providing a sustainable, needs- Transparency in our actions, decisions and results based network of animal welfare services across to all stakeholders. the state, for the care, shelter, treatment, rehabilitation, and protection of animals within the capacity and Creativity strategic directions of the organisation. Willingness to review current operations and implement new and innovative approaches that Providing relief programs to assist people within assist in achieving our overall objectives. the community who are experiencing adverse circumstances, to enable them to care for or manage their animals. 5 The year at a glance Influencing legislative framework, enforcement Project an engaging professional image to Build a low-cost organisation that and funding for animal welfare programs. a broad audience. achieves outcomes. Influencing attitudes by implementing Develop, implement and evaluate an education programs to raise the knowledge, integrated program(s) to enhance the Five • We increased the RSPCA’s presence at • The RSPCA Victoria Board initiated a skills and public support for animal welfare. Freedoms for animals. community festivals including local council comprehensive risk management analysis microchipping days. for the organisation. • This year we launched our puppy factory • This year we implemented a clinic welfare • Traffic to our website continued to grow, as • We continued to deliver OH&S training campaign, one of the most significant in the discount scheme to assist animal owners did our Facebook presence with more than programs for our staff and volunteers. RSPCA’s history. experiencing financial hardship. 19,500 fans engaged on a daily basis. • Over 2,200 people generously volunteered • We continued to campaign to end jumps • 37,658 animals entered our ten shelters • Over $174,000 was raised from RSPCA their time to support the RSPCA. racing and duck shooting. Victoria continues across Victoria, a 6% decrease from last Cupcake Day in August 2009. to be one of the few states in Australia still year. • We completed infrastructure and equipment allowing these cruel sports to take place. • Million Paws Walk enjoyed record upgrades to enhance the environment for the • 53% of dogs coming into our care were attendance with over 25,000 people animals in our care. • We supported the national launch of the reunited with their owners, up from 46% in supporting the event to raise $416,178. RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme to the previous year. help consumers to make an informed and humane choice. • ’Age Does Matter’ was launched in January to encourage prospective owners to • 11,000 individuals participated in our consider adopting an adult cat. education programs. • Our Inspectors managed 14,263 • We continued to support communities complaints, with 68% of these complaints impacted by the Black Saturday bushfires related to companion animals. with $2.6 million in grants distributed to help over 13,000 native and companion animals. 6 1% 13% Expenditure 2009 /10 Animal welfare 9% Animal welfare related expenses 63% expenditure trend Fundraising and bequest expenses 7% 7% Bushfire support and grants 7% 20 63% Retail expenses 9% 18 7% Support services 13% Other 1% 16 14 12 6% 1% 3% 19% Sources of income 2009 /10 10 $ millions 8 Fundraising (includes bushfire donations) 19% Retail sales 11% 29% 6 Bequests 31% 11% 4 Fees for service – animals 29% Government grants 3% 2 Investments 6% 0 Other 1% 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 31% Fiscal year 7 8 The year ahead The leading of change and increased community engagement, to improve the lives of animals: Implement a multifaceted strategy to address: overpopulation Improve the services we have on offer by refining existing (the need for desexing), microchipping (to increase reclaim animal behaviour programs, further developing our foster care rates), understanding of cat behavaiour (to reduce surrendering) program, expanding our veterinary services and developing and improving the value of cats as companion animals (to culturally and linguistically targeted communication material to reduce animal cruelty involving cats). increase knowledge for companion animals owners. Krystal Morrison, Animal Attendant at RSPCA Peninsula, was one of the many carers who Expand our adoption services to improve outcomes including: Continue to develop priority animal welfare campaigns to worked to rehabilitate Gremlin and 17 other increasing Twilight Adoption hours during summer, launch a increase community awareness and engagement, and achieve miniature ponies seized by our Inspectorate. statewide senior animals program, increase promotions of legislation changes. Through a program of correct diet and exercise adoption services and trial new adoption concepts that will combined with plenty of love and attention, the meet the needs of the community. ponies regained their health. While working closely with Gremlin,