Vital income needed to provide critical services

for animals during COVID-19

RSPCA Victoria has launched COVID-19: Animal crisis appeal – asking those who are financially able to donate so that much needed care for vulnerable animals can continue during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the spread of COVID-19, RSPCA Victoria still must provide care for thousands of animals. As the state shuts down and more people enter a period of quarantine, the animal welfare organisation is expecting the number of animals in care to continue to rise.

RSPCA Victoria is anticipating a multi-million dollar shortfall in revenue due the impacts of coronavirus over the next few months which has the potential to significantly impact the animal welfare charity’s ability to care for vulnerable animals during this time.

The crisis has already impacted RSPCA Victoria’s usual operations, with lasting ramifications expected. The need for community support has never been more important due to multiple changes and cancellations resulting in loss of income, including:

· Cancellation of the public event for Million Paws Walk

· Closure of all 13 Victorian op shops

· Loss of corporate sponsors who are themselves struggling

· Reduction in private vet appointments

· Reduction in grooming services

· Cancellation of the school holidays program and education short courses

· Reduction in number of volunteers

· Reduction in number of donors.

Dr Liz Walker, CEO, RSPCA Victoria said the appeal is not directed at those in the community who have lost work or income.

“We realise that times are tough for many in our community right now and our thoughts are with those people and their families. However, we’re hoping those in a position to donate might consider helping vulnerable animals during this difficult time. Unfortunately, animal cruelty does not stop and neither does our work,” says Dr Walker.

“Over the past few weeks, our staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly to find the perfect home for as many of our animals as possible. Everything we are doing is to reduce the number of animals that remain in the shelters if a full lockdown is enforced.

“As a result, we’ve been able to place 406 animals in either permanent or temporary foster homes in the past week alone. Many of our employees and volunteers have worked the longest hours of their careers to make this happen.

“Yet we’re facing the possibility of having more than 1,600 animals in care if a lockdown occurs, and they’ll have to stay for multiple months, putting a real strain on our resources – particularly when other forms of revenue are expected to significantly decrease.”

RSPCA Victoria Inspectors will continue working to save animals from cruelty and neglect, in turn bringing more animals into the shelters requiring ongoing care for an extended period.

More than 20,000 animals annually rely on RSPCA Victoria to provide vital animal care services.

Donations to RSPCA Victoria’s COVID-19: Animal crisis appeal can be made via www.rspcavic.org/covid

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