Thursday, 5 October 2023

Northern Victoria Region

Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:45): (444) My question is for the Minister for Agriculture. In June Wangaratta council cut ties with RSPCA, awarding its contract for animal pound services to the Albury pound across the border. Displaced cats and dogs who could also be distressed or unwell are now having to travel for over an hour from the region for a second chance at life. Earlier this month I visited Wodonga Dog Rescue to learn about the ways this switch has impacted community shelters. The dedicated volunteers were already struggling to keep up with the demand following COVID lockdowns. Now, as one of the last remaining rescues in the region, they have become inundated and are facing their own heartbreaking closure. For almost 20 years Wangaratta provided shelter, food and vet care for up to 1000 animals per year. My constituents want to know if the government will fund a new purpose-built shelter to appropriately meet the welfare needs of this region.