RSPCA may base inspector in Broome
Nicola Kalmar Broome Advertiser January 21, 2014, 8:42 pm
RSPCA WA is conducting a feasibility study to determine whether an animal welfare inspector can be based in Broome.
The charity will investigate the possibility of establishing a presence in the Kimberley following a recent visit by the organisation’s chief executive David van Ooran and chief inspector Amanda Swift.
The representatives met with local stakeholders involved in animal welfare, including the Shire of Broome, Broome police, veterinarians and local not-for-profit group Saving Animals From Euthanasia to identify issues facing the region.
Mr van Ooran said a feasibility study would be carried out to identify a raft of components that needed to be addressed to determine an outcome.
“This will detail for us who, what, where, why, costs, what partnerships are needed, shelter issues, animal accommodation issues, we need to identify all those things,” he said.
“Clearly the need is right now, but we don’t have any funds to do this, we are a charity, so we need to work out a funding model and who can participate.”
He said there were four regional inspectors based in WA, the closest to the Kimberley in Geraldton, and RSPCA WA had worked hard to respond to cruelty reports in the area.
“(But) it’s a very big State and it’s very cost and labour intensive to be everywhere where reports are coming through,” he said. “We’ve always known that there’s a real desire and demand for our services here but fundamentally it comes down to funding and resourcing.”
Mr van Ooran said it would cost around $150,000 a year to have an officer based in Broome, with additional cost implications to cover animal welfare services throughout the Kimberley.
The RSPCA would investigate the viability of sourcing funding through community, corporate and government support from a State and local level. SAFE Broome secretary Wendy Roberts said the meeting with the representatives was productive and the need for an inspector in Broome was evident.
“It was a relief to know the visitors saw an immediate need before we met,” she said.
“Broome clearly needs an inspector, but it depends on funding. Whatever Broome can do to help them get funding would be helpful.”
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