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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 2200www.rspcavic.orgACN 131 965 761 ABN 56 749 449 191
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RSPCA Victoria Annual Report 2010
04 RSPCA profile05 Vision, objectives and values06 The year at a glance08 The year ahead10 President’s report12 RSPCA Directors14 CEO’s report 16 Organisational effectiveness18 Developing our people 20 Engaging Victorians22 Campaigning for change24 Supporting bushfire communtities26 Inspectorate30 Enhancing the Five Freedoms
for animals - veterinary care 32 Enhancing the Five Freedoms
for animals - shelters36 Community presence40 Income generation 42 Major donors 43 Corporate partners 44 Honorary Life Members45 Bequests and Trusts46 Financial report 59 RSPCA contact details
Contents
Cassandra D’Alessandro was one of the first students to graduate from our Certificate II in Animal Studies course. This interactive 10 week-course offered by the RSPCA and Victoria University, was introduced in 2009. With the help of education animals such 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 learn the skills required to work in the animal care industry.
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RSPCA profileThe 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 lobbying of the RSPCA.
As a not-for-profit organisation, the RSPCA relies on community support to care for ‘all creatures great and small’. Only 3% of the RSPCA’s operating expenses is supported by a grant from the Victorian State Government, so we truly are an organisation funded by the generous Victorian community.
Merlot and Cooper, two orphaned Eastern Grey Kangaroos, are survivors of the 2009 Victorian bushfires. 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 underweight, so they needed to recover in the hands of experienced wildlife carers. Cooper became a constant companion for Merlot, helping to keep her warm and nursing her back to good health. They became inseparable during their recovery and are nick-named ‘Romeo and Juliet’, a true story of survival and unconditional love.
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.
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The RSPCA’s objectives are to promote and enhance the wellbeing of society and the welfare of its animals by:
Educating the Victorian community regarding the humane treatment and management of animals and increasing public awareness of, and support for, animal welfare.
Enforcing the existing laws to prevent cruelty to animals.
Influencing the amendment or development of legislation and standards considered necessary for the protection and welfare of animals.
Encouraging and providing a sustainable, needs-based network of animal welfare services across the state, for the care, shelter, treatment, rehabilitation, and protection of animals within the capacity and strategic directions of the organisation.
Providing relief programs to assist people within the community who are experiencing adverse circumstances, to enable them to care for or manage their animals.
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.
Preparedness to be held accountable for plans, actions and outcomes.
Behaviour and standards that set the benchmark for other organisations.
Soundness of judgment and honesty in everything we do.
Transparency in our actions, decisions and results to all stakeholders.
Willingness to review current operations and implement new and innovative approaches that assist in achieving our overall objectives.
Accountability
Professionalism
Integrity
Openness
Creativity
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The year at a glanceInfluencing legislative framework, enforcement and funding for animal welfare programs. Influencing attitudes by implementing education programs to raise the knowledge, skills and public support for animal welfare.
• This year we launched our puppy factory campaign, one of the most significant in the RSPCA’s history.
• We continued to campaign to end jumps racing and duck shooting. Victoria continues to be one of the few states in Australia still allowing these cruel sports to take place.
• We supported the national launch of the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme to help consumers to make an informed and humane choice.
• 11,000 individuals participated in our education programs.
• We continued to support communities impacted by the Black Saturday bushfires with $2.6 million in grants distributed to help over 13,000 native and companion animals.
Project an engaging professional image to a broad audience.
• We increased the RSPCA’s presence at community festivals including local council microchipping days.
• Traffic to our website continued to grow, as did our Facebook presence with more than 19,500 fans engaged on a daily basis.
• Over $174,000 was raised from RSPCA Cupcake Day in August 2009.
• Million Paws Walk enjoyed record attendance with over 25,000 people supporting the event to raise $416,178.
Develop, implement and evaluate an integrated program(s) to enhance the Five Freedoms for animals.
• This year we implemented a clinic welfare discount scheme to assist animal owners experiencing financial hardship.
• 37,658 animals entered our ten shelters across Victoria, a 6% decrease from last year.
• 53% of dogs coming into our care were reunited with their owners, up from 46% in the previous year.
• ’Age Does Matter’ was launched in January to encourage prospective owners to consider adopting an adult cat.
• Our Inspectors managed 14,263 complaints, with 68% of these complaints related to companion animals.
Build a low-cost organisation that achieves outcomes.
• The RSPCA Victoria Board initiated a comprehensive risk management analysis for the organisation.
• We continued to deliver OH&S training programs for our staff and volunteers.
• Over 2,200 people generously volunteered their time to support the RSPCA.
• We completed infrastructure and equipment upgrades to enhance the environment for the animals in our care.
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Animal welfare expenditure trend
20
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
$ m
illio
ns
Fiscal year
20102009200820072006
Expenditure 2009 /10Animal welfare related expenses 63%
Fundraising and bequest expenses 7%
Bushfire support and grants 7%
Retail expenses 9%
Support services 13%
Other 1%
Sources of income 2009 /10Fundraising (includes bushfire donations) 19%
Retail sales 11%
Bequests 31%
Fees for service – animals 29%
Government grants 3%
Investments 6%
Other 1%
63%
19%
11%
31%
29%
3%6% 1%
7%
7%
9%
13%1%
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Krystal Morrison, Animal Attendant at RSPCA Peninsula, was one of the many carers who worked to rehabilitate Gremlin and 17 other miniature ponies seized by our Inspectorate. Through a program of correct diet and exercise combined with plenty of love and attention, the ponies regained their health. While working closely with Gremlin, Krystal was increasingly taken by his cheeky and outgoing nature. So when he became available for re-homing, Krystal couldn’t resist inviting him to live with her. Krystal’s two thoroughbred horses are amused by their new housemate and his attempts at bossing them around. Gremlin will turn two this year and continues to thrive, helped along by his huge appetite and his adoring new family.
The year aheadImplement a multifaceted strategy to address: overpopulation (the need for desexing), microchipping (to increase reclaim rates), understanding of cat behavaiour (to reduce surrendering) and improving the value of cats as companion animals (to reduce animal cruelty involving cats).
The leading of change and increased community engagement, to improve the lives of animals:
Expand our adoption services to improve outcomes including: increasing Twilight Adoption hours during summer, launch a statewide senior animals program, increase promotions of adoption services and trial new adoption concepts that will meet the needs of the community.
Improve the services we have on offer by refining existing animal behaviour programs, further developing our foster care program, expanding our veterinary services and developing culturally and linguistically targeted communication material to increase knowledge for companion animals owners.
Continue to develop priority animal welfare campaigns to increase community awareness and engagement, and achieve legislation changes.
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International issuesI remain a member of the international Board of the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA). While the national animal welfare societies have similar issues to deal with as the RSPCA in Australia, WSPA focuses its work on assisting developing countries resolve major issues. Current priorities are the humane management of the massive stray dog problem; planning strategies to mitigate the effect of natural disasters on domestic animals and wildlife, such as those seen following the floods in Pakistan; humane slaughter techniques and strategies to build capacity in small shelter societies throughout the world. Close to home, WSPA is tackling the 450,000 stray dog and rabies problem on the island of Bali, and assisting Australia to develop a formal government natural disaster relief program following the lessons learnt from the Victorian bushfires of 2009.
AcknowledgementI acknowledge with gratitude and pleasure the great and ongoing support given to the RSPCA during the year by so many Victorians. It is this support, so willingly given, that has developed our RSPCA into the professional and leading influential animal welfare society it is today. I urge you to consider every section of this Annual Report which will convince you of outstanding progress. 2009/2010 has been a busy, sometimes frantic, and thoroughly rewarding year.
Hugh J Wirth AM KSJHonorary President
President’s reportVice-President Barbara HornThe death of Barbara Horn in January 2010 was keenly felt by her legion of friends, admirers and supporters. I first met Barbara through my work with 774 ABC Melbourne where she was a presenter. It was immediately obvious that Barb was a passionate animal owner and animal welfarist. Barbara was appointed to the RSPCA Board in May 1986 and was elected Vice-President in October 1989, a position she still held at the time of her death.
Barbara gave generously of her time to the RSPCA, whether she was attending or chairing Board and committee meetings, seminars, or presiding at RSPCA events. No one was ever left in any doubt about Barbara’s views on any animal welfare issues. She represented those of the Victorian community with commitment and vigour. Barbara, we miss your ebullient laughter and infectious smile.
Governance and BoardIn February, three new Board members, Marco Ciobo, Suzie Ewart and Dana Hlavacek, and one Board committee member, Jenny Ross, were appointed on the recommendation of the Nominations Committee. The new Board members have already made a significant contribution. Lorraine Bates was elected Deputy Chair by the Board. These appointments have enhanced the professional approach of the Board and I sincerely thank all of my colleagues for their continued dedication to, and support of, the RSPCA.
Our CEO, Maria Mercurio, continues to lead a professional and competent management team, which includes many volunteers, and I congratulate her on what has been achieved over another frantically busy and at times, frustrating year.
Political climateThe RSPCA was established by the community 139 years ago to enforce the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and through advocacy, to ensure that the parliament regularly reviewed and amended the law.
The lack of progress during the past two years on achieving incremental improvements to the welfare of animals has proved to be very frustrating for the RSPCA. Nationally, the federal government has simply taken animal welfare off the agenda. The National Consultative Committee on Animal Welfare has not met and the government only offers token support for the Animal Welfare Branch of the Department of Agriculture and the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy.
In Victoria, a similar situation exists with all animal welfare issues being referred to the Premier for his decision, thus by-passing the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC) which was established to provide community advice on the welfare of animals to the government. The members of the AWAC are all highly motivated, talented professionals, yet the achievements of the committee remain negligible because the committee agenda and all debate are firmly controlled by the department. Improvements to dog and wildlife management legislation hardly equates with improving animal welfare.
Consequently, many issues that have been on the RSPCA agenda for many years remain unresolved: duck shooting, jumps racing, puppy factories, animal hoarding, live animal exports, slaughter of non-stunned animals, shedded sheep, transport of bobby calves, tail docking of dairy cows, and intensive farming of chickens, cattle, pigs and sheep, just to name a few.
In preparation for the November State election, the RSPCA has canvassed all political parties to ascertain their animal welfare policies. It will come as no surprise that the major parties that can form the next Victorian government have no official policy commitments whatsoever.
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RSPCA Directors
Dr Hugh Wirth AM KSJBVSc, Hon DVSc (Melb)
- President, RSPCA Victoria - Chair, CEO Review and Nomination Committees- Past President and international Board member World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA)
- Past President, RSPCA Australia- Director, RSPCA (Vic) Foundation Pty Ltd - Commenced on State Council: March 1969; Vice-President 1971; President since 1972
Lorraine Bates
- Deputy Chairperson, RSPCA Victoria- Business experience – Tourism and Customer Service
- Inaugural Member of St. Martin’s Club (now Champion Circle)
- Commenced on State Council: 19 April 2005
Dana Jane HlavacekBComm (Hons), MAcc, FCA, GAICD
- Non Executive Director – Global Cash Management - Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia
- Governor - Arts Centre Foundation- Treasurer and Public Officer – Beacon Cove Neighbourhood Association
- Director-Elect – Australian Friends of the Asian University for Women
- Commenced on Board: 19 January 2010
James Smith BComm, FCA
- Chair, RSPCA Victoria Audit Committee and Budget and Finance Committee
- Practising Chartered Accountant and business advisor
- Director, RSPCA (Vic) Foundation Pty Ltd - Commenced on State Council: 17 April 1984
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Robert Carraill OAMBAgSc, DipAgExtn, FAIAST
- Chair, RSPCA Victoria Strategy and Corporate Policy Committee
- Agricultural Scientist, experienced in farm animal production
- Past Board Member, Greening Australia (Victoria)
- Commenced on State Council: 15 March 1987
Dr Onn Ben-David OAMBVSc
- Chair, RSPCA Victoria Animal Welfare Policy Committee
- Private Veterinary Practitioner- Commenced on State Council: 18 September 1979
Dr Carole WebbBVSc (Hons), MACVSc (Feline Medicine)
- Practitioner, Feline Medicine- Executive Director, Cat Protection Society- Commenced on State Council: 15 April 1997
Marco CioboBSc, MSc
- Management Consultant, Principal - IT and financial services practice areas
- Commenced on Board: 27 January 2010
Suzanne EwartBEcon, ASA
- Principal Business Consultant – Suzanne Ewart and Associates specialising in business and finance
- Treasury Corporation of Victoria (TCV) – non-executive Director
- Benetas Limited (Anglican Aged Care company) – Former non-executive Director
- Commenced on Board: 19 January 2010
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CEO’s reportThe past year has seen an increasing focus on improving our animal welfare outcomes. Our efforts encompassed initiatives in our shelters and clinics; work in our inspectorate and in education; expansion of our events and reaching out to the community. We have stepped up our political activism with stronger campaigns and a louder voice for animal welfare. We have also increased our efforts to improve our physical infrastructure, right across the State. Supporting this work is a strong Board and a continuously improving organisation with staff and volunteers whose dedication and skills are second to none.
Our hands on workDuring the course of the 2009/10 year our shelters took in nearly 38,000 animals. This is a significant decrease compared to the past two years. We have made some progress but clearly not yet enough in changing attitudes and behaviours in the community. But we have been able to improve our own statistics, with dog adoption and reclaim rates increasing (from 72% in 2005 to 79% this year) and euthanasia rates decreasing (from 25% in 2005 to 18.6% this year). A solution to the cat situation continued to elude us with numbers and rates remaining constant.
But we have made inroads. We trialed new initiatives which had good short term impacts and the new year will see much more of this effort with a comprehensive cat welfare strategy. We improved the adoption rate for cats with a promotion entitled ‘Age Does Matter’ which featured older cats and their qualities as excellent pets and participated in a national adoption campaign. We extended our twilight adoptions at our Burwood East and Peninsula shelters which created greater opportunities for our animals to find new homes. All of these programs had measurable success and we will use this knowledge in the coming year to continue to improve the outcomes for animals in our care.
Our two Vet clinics also play a significant role in delivering excellent welfare outcomes. Our vets are skilled and now offer additional specialist services to clinic clients. The animal behaviourists expanded the range of services offered to the public and new programs included post adoption training to help ensure good long-term outcomes. These initiatives coupled with regular seminars to address specific pet behavioural issues are all designed to increase the success rate of our adoptions.
FacilitiesAdequate shelter facilities are critical to our ability to deliver excellent welfare outcomes. The quality of care depends on being able to quarantine sick animals and prevent the spread of disease, keep our animals cool in summer and warm in the colder months, minimise stress in our animals and provide enrichment and training so that we maximise every animal’s chances of a successful outcome. We focused on improving our regional facilities in the past year and purchased new equipment for shelters across the state.
Planning for our major Burwood East redevelopment continued. While we had planned to have construction underway we have been delayed by planning requirements and prolonged negotiations with the owners of the surrounding land. This is a large, complex project and we need to ensure that we have met all our internal and external requirements. We consulted widely with our own staff, experts and specialist consultants and now have the specifications for a site which will deliver a range of animal welfare services and provide the highest level of animal care possible.
Advocating for changeThe 2009/10 year was marked by strong campaigns to end jumps racing, duck shooting, and puppy factories and to improve our adoption of companion animals. The puppy factory campaign is the most targeted, well resourced campaign in the recent history of RSPCA Victoria. The campaign was
strengthened by our own scientific seminar and has been supported by a national discussion paper and roundtable. We will continue to lobby the State Government to change the legislation, improve its enforcement and shut these facilities down.
We continued efforts to educate the community through the work of our Inspectors, who try to educate rather than prosecute in the first instance; our shelters who have the day to day contact with a range of people; our publications, events, website and social media tools and especially through our education team.
CapabilityOrganisationally, progress was made in upgrading our systems with a focus again on improving our regional shelters, as well as implementing new software for our Inspectors. Our processing systems were improved as we continued to drive down administrative costs. Necessary training for staff was provided including the Amsden and Wotherspoon scholarships and a range of other development opportunities, as we continue to enhance our skill base.
Finally, we had the privilege of continuing to work with and for the communities who were ravaged by bushfires last year – providing feed, shelter and materials and other animal welfare and wildlife aide which was still so desperately needed.
I am grateful to our dedicated staff, volunteers, our members and supporters and the broader Victorian community for their ongoing commitment to animal welfare, and to our President and Board for providing the good governance and leadership that the community expects of us.
Maria MercurioChief Executive Officer
CEO’s report
Gus the welsh pony, came to the RSPCA when he was seized by our Inspectorate. Now rehabilitated, Gus spends his days working alongside members of our Education Team including long-standing and very knowledgeable volunteer, Bev Houston.
Our CEO Maria Mercurio couldn’t resist the chance to have a cuddle with this beautiful boy.
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Organisationaleffectiveness
Board developmentThe RSPCA’s constitution requires that we have a maximum of nine and a minimum of seven Directors on our Board. From 1 July 2009, the RSPCA Victoria Board consisted of seven members. Following an extensive search and evaluation process and on advice from the Nominations Committee, the Board unanimously appointed two additional members on 19 January 2010. Another additional Board member was appointed on 27 January 2010.
New Directors were welcomed to the RSPCA by a series of induction presentations from the President of the Board, current Directors and the Executive Management team. In this process, new Board members were advised of their governance obligations as well as being introduced to the various policies we work in accordance with.
This year, an ongoing Board evaluation process was initiated. This process will analyse the Board’s function to ensure continuous improvement and will continue into the year ahead.
RSPCA Victoria is focused on ensuring that as an organisation we operate both efficiently and effectively. We are committed to improving organisational effectiveness to ensure the maximum available funds are directed to helping animals in need.
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Leo Hernandez is a member of the Maintenance team who are so important in maintaining and improving the infrastructure of our shelters, adoption centres, veterinary clinics and op shops across Victoria. Based at RSPCA Burwood East, Leo is regularly involved in the upkeep of the barn which our education animals, including Lily the goat, call home.
Lily came to the RSPCA at just the right time to fill a goat vacancy in our Education Department. Currently ‘in training,’ she is learning to walk on a lead and participates in mock classes. Lily is well suited to her new role as she loves to socialise which was evident when she literally jumped the fence to join the animals in the next pen.
Board committeesBoard committees are an essential part of the RSPCA’s governance structure, helping to ensure that the Board operates effectively and efficiently. In the past year, committees have provided advice and made recommendations to the Board on many issues that included animal welfare, corporate governance and policy as well as finance.
Throughout the year, the committees included the Strategy and Corporate Policy; Animal Welfare Policy; Budget and Finance; Audit; CEO Review and the Nominations Committees.
Risk managementEarlier this year, the Board initiated a comprehensive risk management analysis for our organisation. This analysis involved all areas of the RSPCA and was facilitated by the risk management experts from Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (Deloitte). The risk management process allowed us to review our key risks, understand our controls over these risks and ensure that any gaps in controls are addressed. This risk management project is expected to be completed in late 2010.
Investing in animal welfare infrastructureDuring the past year, we undertook a number of infrastructure upgrades to improve our animal welfare facilities. Some of these included:
• A new Inspectorate office was installed in RSPCA Sale replacing a previous off-site location. This has reduced rent costs for the region but more importantly, it has significantly improved communications between the shelter and Inspectorate in this region.
• The RSPCA Sale, Wangaratta and Castlemaine shelters received upgrades to their cat facilities with the installation of evaporative air-conditioning. This will provide much needed cooling in the warmer months.
• Our cat adoption facilities at RSPCA Burwood East were upgraded with the installation of shade cloth over the outdoor pens to keep the cats cool in summer. Radiant heaters were also installed to warm these pens in winter.
• RSPCA Peninsula received improvements to the plumbing and electrical services which were an upgrade of aging infrastructure. This shelter faces a number of issues with aging infrastructure and as a consequence, it will be a focus for further upgrades in the coming year.
• A block of land adjacent to RSPCA Bendigo was purchased to provide space for future development in this growing region. The purchase of this site was initiated and well supported by a local RSPCA volunteer, illustrating the strength of the support in this region.
The plans for our major site development for Burwood East were also finalised this year. Work is expected to commence in late 2010, subject to final planning approval from the local council and successful outcomes to negotiations with Reading International who own the land surrounding our site.
System enhancementsThe RSPCA Inspectorate database was migrated to new software late last year, sharing the same platform as our shelters. This system provides enhanced reporting, mobility and functionality to support the critical work of our Inspectors.
Back-end support systems were also upgraded to reduce processing costs. These upgrades included the implementation of a new database to manage regular donations, reducing the need for manual intervention saving both staffing resources and funds. The RSPCA’s email and calendar software was also upgraded to a modern and robust system, allowing improved functionality, especially for staff and volunteers located in regional areas or in the field.
Regional shelters received upgraded access to the main RSPCA network, enhancing both our internal and external communications. This upgrade will play a critical part in supporting our re-homing efforts, tracking animals and improving reporting.
In our digital environment, in addition to upgrades to our main website (www.rspcavic.org), a number of other micro-sites were developed to support campaigns and animal welfare initiatives. These were complimented by a Facebook page which has become an increasingly popular way for supporters to interact with the RSPCA.
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Developing our peopleFor RSPCA Victoria, animal welfare is always our first priority and achieving good outcomes is dependent on our team of professional staff and volunteers, all of whom have a strong commitment to improving the lives of animals.
In the past year, the RSPCA has continued the ongoing development of the skills and knowledge of our teams. Opportunities for staff development are aligned to our strategic objectives and the needs identified in individual development plans.
Some of the development programs that were provided in 2009/10 include:• Leadership development for managers and
supervisors to motivate and drive employee and organisational performance.
• Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) training including first aid, defensive driving and specific customer service training.
• Communications training for key spokespeople.
• A number of staff completed their qualification in the Certificate IV Training and Assessment. This training will help to increase RSPCA’s ability to raise awareness, educate and influence the community on animal welfare issues, and facilitate skills transfer within the organisation.
Our commitment to providing a safe workplace through our focus on OH&S has also seen the re-design of the organisation’s incident and risk management reporting documentation.
This, together with the commencement of updated emergency evacuation plans for regional locations, assists to ensure that our staff are equipped with the information that they need when it comes to potential hazards.
Philanthropic supportIn 2009/10 we were once again very fortunate to have a donor support our Staff Development Program. This program allows our staff to attend beneficial seminars and conferences to gain specific skills and knowledge relating to the enhancement of animal welfare. Without such a generous contribution to this program, staff attendance at such events may not have been possible due to financial constraints.
The Wotherspoon Scholarship is designed to promote opportunities for RSPCA veterinarians to develop their skills, with a specific aim to benefit animal welfare and contribute to the development of shelter medicine in Australia. Andrew Lim was the 2009 recipient of the scholarship. Andrew completed a Distance Education Program in Behavioural Medicine through the University of Sydney, Centre for Veterinary Education.
The Amsden Leadership and Management Scholarship recognises the need for highly developed management and leadership skills to ensure that staff are able to continue to deliver enhanced animal welfare outcomes. In 2009, Penny Aquino, Manager Volunteer Resources, was awarded this scholarship and undertook Mt. Eliza’s Leadership Development Program.
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The RSPCA is very fortunate to benefit from generous community support, with volunteer participation continuing to grow over the past year and with individuals volunteering their time make a significant difference to the lives of animals in need. Only with the extra hands and hearts of over 2,200 volunteers, work experience students, interns and corporate volunteers, has the RSPCA been able to achieve so much in animal welfare.
In April, we were excited to introduce our internship program for university students to assist in their area of interest and support the work of the RSPCA. The program was embraced by students and has provided considerable benefit to our organisation. A total of nine students have commenced since launching the program, with interest continuing to grow.
Our work experience program continued to attract both tertiary and secondary students across the state. This year we launched the work experience program online for regional shelters. This improved access to information for students, parents and teachers, with increased administrative efficiencies. There were a total of 339 work experience students engaged across the state, an increase of 71% compared to last year.
Our corporate volunteering program continued to attract considerable interest from our corporate partners with 358 people participating. We also experienced growth, welcoming four new partners. The main contributors to this year’s program were NAB and ANZ (46% and 19% of total corporate volunteering opportunities respectively). We hope this growth will continue into the year ahead.
Executive Management - Maria Mercurio, Duncan Mackellar, Jenny Davis, Greg O’Brien, Helen Cocks
Animal Welfare - Allie Jalbert, Greg Boland, Catherine Smith, Kate Breuer, Chris Thurgood, Catherine Scullin, Sally Schimleck
Community Engagement - Chantelle Courtney, Sally Meakin, Penny Aquino, Fiona Atkinson, Katie Sommer, Yvonne Steiner
Support Services - George Nicholson, Allison Mackin, Shane Van Houten, Marcia Nugent, Chris McIntosh
Volunteer contributions
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Engaging VictoriansEducating and engaging the community are critical aspects of the RSPCA’s work across Victoria. Only with the passionate support of the community are we able to influence legislative change and improve the lives of animals.
Amongst the many RSPCA animal welfare campaigns that have engaged the community in the past year, major focuses have been improving the welfare of cats (detailed in the `Enhancing the Five Freedoms for Animals – Shelters’ section), stopping puppy factories, the abolition of jumps racing, the banning of duck shooting and improving the welfare of farm animals.
Improving the welfare of farm animalsAs an organisation we are committed to improving the welfare of all animals, including those living on farms. Aligned with this strategy, we were delighted to be involved in the launch of the RSPCA Approved Farming scheme earlier this year. RSPCA approved farms ensure hens, pigs and meat chickens have the freedom to express their full range of natural behaviours. These animals are not confined in cages or sow stalls and RSPCA assessors visit and monitor farms regularly to ensure they continue to meet high animal welfare standards. Our Approved Farming scheme allows farmers who meet humane standards of production, to apply for the RSPCA Paw of Approval to display on their product. Our Paw of Approval will help consumers make an informed, humane choice that will protect the welfare of farm animals.
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Community educationThis year, we were delighted that our education programs were able to reach more than 11,000 individuals. These people were actively informed and engaged in animal welfare, both on-site at our education centre, in schools and off-site in the community. A proud achievement of our education team has also been our animal therapy with children traumatised by the Black Saturday fires (detailed in the supporting bushfire communities section).
While schools continue to be our primary audience, the RSPCA education team have continued to explore opportunities to increase community engagement. We have increased our reach to members from regional, urban and non-english speaking communities, as well as farmers and primary producers.
In 2009/10, an important activity was delivering a series of lectures at Marcus Oldham College. These lectures addressed key agricultural issues, the position of the RSPCA, the role of our Inspectorate and future industry directions for animal welfare. Feedback from the college was enthusiastic and positive.
The RSPCA Horse Road Tour once again engaged regional Victorian communities, targeting recreational horse owners, both experienced and new. RSPCA Inspectors shared their experiences of common welfare problems and the day-to-day needs of horses, while experienced horse woman Wrangler Jayne presented passionately on ‘Horsemanship with Heart’. Improving horse welfare will continue to be a major focus in the coming year.
This year, our collaboration with Victoria University resulted in the success of a nationally recognised, co-branded Certificate II in Animal Studies qualification. This training specifically targets young people, and is delivered in such a way that allows full-time students to participate. Our pilot program ran in September and November 2009, and now three programs later, 49 students have graduated. While increasing knowledge of animal welfare, this training also introduces the youth demographic to a lifelong relationship with the RSPCA.
We are in discussion with Victoria University about other opportunities to expand our vocational education programs. The RSPCA School Holiday Program continues to grow in
popularity and strength, with our range of activities expanding to meet increasing demand. Since 2004, we have had 3,453 students aged six to 18 attend our programs, with over 600 attending this year.
Our youth focused programs linking career pathways around working with animals have been embraced by participants. In May, 24 aspiring students attended Vet for a Day and 12 budding vet nurses attended First Aid for Pets. These programs provided a unique opportunity to spend time alongside professional RSPCA veterinary staff, view surgery, learn new skills and discuss issues around good animal care and welfare.
Our community education programs are an important element in the influencing of behaviours and the changing of attitudes to improve animal welfare.
Living together in harmonyAn important aspect of our work in the community is providing responsible pet owners with the tools they need to live in harmony with their pets. In the past year, our promotions have included raising the profile of our animal behaviour training and information sessions, encouraging owners to update pet microchip details, holidaying with pets and how to manage pets during fireworks and thunderstorms. In response to the Black Saturday fires, we also launched an animal checklist, so owners could prepare their pets for emergencies.
Children like Jack Britt, who have a love of animals, delight in our popular School Holiday Programs. Through helping to hand feed, pet the education animals and various animal related activities, young children have lots of fun in an interactive learning environment. Our School Holiday Programs focus on the responsibilities involved in owning and caring for a pet. Our two much loved guinea pigs, Jessica and SPG, think they have a pretty good job as they help to deliver RSPCA animal welfare messages and get plenty of cuddles and attention in return!
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Campaigning for changeOur campaign to ban jumps racing continued this year with increased pressure placed on key decision makers - Rob Hulls (Minister for Racing) and members of the Racing Victoria Limited (RVL) Board. Independent research* suggested that more than 74% of the community were opposed to jumps racing, and that by allowing this to continue, RVL were not only compromising horse welfare but the reputation of the entire racing industry. This research was a key focus of our campaign targeting sponsors, the Racing Minister, the RVL Board and race goers. Focusing on this research was key in achieving a ban in November 2009, when RVL announced that jumps racing would not continue beyond 2011. Celebrations at the RSPCA were sadly short lived however. Just seven weeks after their announcement, RVL bowed to industry pressure and overturned the ban, allowing jumps racing to continue.
With the continuance of jumps into 2011, the deaths of both Prince Vitality and Sirrocean Storm have been evidence that no changes can be made to protect the welfare of these horses and that a ban is the only solution. As we await a decision about the future of jumps racing in Victoria, we have continued to rally the community and have begun preparations of strategic activities focused on the 2010 Spring Racing Carnival.
* Independent research conducted by Footprints Market Research (2009).
Sadly, despite many years of campaigning by the RSPCA, the Victorian State Government allowed the cruel hunting of Australian ducks to continue in 2010. In response, our efforts to increase awareness and to illustrate the opposition of people in the community to this cruel so-called sport, became our major focus for this campaign. Working with the Coalition Against Duck Shooting, we circulated a co-branded petition in the community, to be presented to the Victorian State Government. Our goal was to gather the active support of more than 21,000 people opposed to duck shooting, to outnumber the group of registered duck shooters. In July, excellent community support indicated that this target would be not only achieved, but well exceeded.
Another aspect of our campaign to protect the welfare of ducks was a strategic political approach to influence key decision makers. Following an in-depth analysis to identify marginal seats in key areas across the State, politicians were contacted in an attempt to influence their party policy on duck shooting. This pressure was then reinforced by the community as part of the national RSPCA ‘Political Animal’ campaign, where supporters were invited to also exert their influence on politicians.
We hope this louder voice on the duck shooting issue will result in a permanent ban that will protect Australian wildlife.
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Puppy factories are mass-production, legal facilities operating purely for profit, where female dogs as young as six months old are forced to produce several litters each year, for their entire lives. These dogs are not afforded the Five Freedoms - they live a life of confinement, are deprived of human contact and often don’t receive even the most basic of veterinary care. Tragically, when these dogs are no longer able to breed, they are euthanased.
In May we launched the biggest animal welfare campaign in our history – to close puppy factories. Although initially, our focus was on puppy factories in Victoria, we were proud to take the lead for what became an Australia-wide campaign.
Our strategy was to influence all areas of the industry, from those who produce, to the unknowing retail assistants working in pet stores and ultimately members of the community who have bought, or will buy, puppies from pet shops or via online or newspaper advertising. Our campaign imagery centred around Australian puppy factories, with the campaign featured in outdoor advertising, online advertising and media editorial. Our promotions asked the community to pledge their support for our campaign at www.closepuppyfactories.org. In less than two months, 24,000 people had pledged and were openly talking about their opposition to this issue. At the same time, we were also in discussions with the Victorian Government, requesting improved Codes of Practice to protect the welfare of animals in puppy factories.
Although community awareness about puppy factories has increased exponentially, we will continue to rally community support until these facilities are banned, not only in Victoria but across Australia.
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Staff and volunteers at the RSPCA have been truly inspired by the people who have dedicated themselves to assisting with the bushfire recovery efforts. Volunteer wildlife carers continue their work to rehabilitate animals impacted by the fires. We are very grateful to these carers, many of whom were directly affected, especially Stella and Alan Reid who openly welcomed us onto their property ‘Wildhaven’. Stella and Alan generously shared their amazing stories of survival and loss and allowed us to support their efforts. The RSPCA salutes them for their tireless commitment to helping animals.
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The clever and inseparable Yogi and Juno and their two siblings were born at the RSPCA when their mother, Melody, was surrendered heavily pregnant. The little family was fostered by an adoring staff member until ready for adoption. All have since found loving homes. Yogi and Juno provide enormous joy to their wonderful new family who lost their home in Kinglake during the bushfires.
Supporting bushfire communitiesThe bushfires on 7 February 2009 will be an unforgettable day in the history of Victoria. The loss of human life was devastating and tragically it was estimated that the loss of animal life was well over one million. Since this devastating day, we have been inspired by the resilience of the communities impacted and we have been privileged to continue supporting them as they rebuild their lives. In the months following the fires, many survivors moved to temporary accommodation while they reflected on the devastating Black Saturday fires. Over time, many of these people started to return to rebuild their homes and their lives. With their return, the RSPCA Bushfire Recovery team witnessed the additional stresses placed on these communities. During this difficult time, we provided much-needed support to the animals that remain such an important part of these communities.
Following that tragic February day, we launched the RSPCA Bushfire Appeal to support our emergency relief efforts. The outpouring from the community in response was truly inspirational with more than $4.1 million donated. Of this funding, $1 million was used to support our initial emergency response to provide critical support to orphaned, injured and stray animals. In response to a growing need for ongoing support, we then distributed over $2.6 million in grants to bushfire affected families, including:
• $300,000 to cover vet bills for bushfire related injuries. This included financial support to veterinarians who waived their fees to treat animals impacted by the fires.
• Almost $1 million in financial support to purchase animal related equipment or shelter.
• Over $1.1 million to purchase feed for animals.
• $60,000 to provide animal runs, kennels, equipment and enrichment toys for animals living with families in the four temporary villages.
• $34,000 to help many grieving the loss of their animals, to once again experience the joy of animal ownership.
• Almost $70,000 to support the ongoing care of wildlife by specialised and dedicated carers with a further $20,000 to provide emergency feed and equipment.
Thanks to the generous donations of supporters from across the world, we were able to help over 13,000 wildlife and companion animals affected by the bushfires to receive feed, shelter and veterinary care. An additional $500,000 will be reserved to provide further grants to those in need and to purchase emergency equipment that will support any future emergency relief efforts.
Bushfire Trauma Schools Program Some of the most fragile of those affected by this trauma were children, many of whom in addition to losing their homes and friends, also lost their much-needed sense of security.
Through an animal therapy program we have run in partnership with Empathy Education & Training since 2005, we understood the strength of a bond between children and animals and how this could play an important role in helping children heal. From this, we developed our Bushfire Trauma Schools Program.
The RSPCA Bushfire Trauma Schools Program involved weekly visits to children seriously impacted by bushfires at the Wandong, Kinglake West and Wattle Glen Primary Schools. Over five weeks, our team and 15 guinea pigs visited schools to allow affected children to interact with animals. Whilst learning about animal care, the children experienced the calm that comes from handling and spending time with relaxed, healthy companion animals. For many, true calm and happiness had been missing since Black Saturday.
More than 100 children were involved in this program, with teachers and parents reporting that over 95% of children showed an increase in signs of happiness after their guinea pig therapy. It was truly amazing that these small animals could play such a significant role in helping children heal from their bushfire experiences.
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InspectorateAt the end of July, there were 39 cases still before the courts. The Inspectorate team issued 311 Notices to Comply, 263 Advisory Letters (up a staggering 32% on the previous year), 23 Warning Letters, 22 Warrants of Seizure and eight Search Warrants for evidence.
Our Inspectorate were also involved in a significant case, working collaboratively with RSPCA NSW in a joint investigation. This case involved alleged cruelty offences by a dog breeder who we believe travelled interstate to perform numerous acts of illegal medical procedures (de-barking). This investigation is ongoing with possible offences occurring in New South Wales and Victoria.
Seeking changeA serious concern of the RSPCA Inspectorate, and one that has been raised with State Government, is our lack of legal power to stop people who cannot, or will not, provide their animals with adequate care. These people may not have been charged with an offence under POCTAA as they may suffer from a serious intellectual disability or mental illness.
The RSPCA is campaigning for legislation that would allow our Inspectors to make an application before a court that would prohibit a person from owning or caring for an animal for a certain period of time. The specifics of the order could vary according to different situations, including variations on length of time, the type and number of animals.
Amongst the successful prosecutions carried out by the Inspectorate over the past year, there have been a number where the maximum banning order of ten years has been applied.
In 2009/10, reports of animal cruelty remained at a level similar to the previous year, with 14,263 reports of cruelty received. Although we had hoped that cruelty complaints would decline, we were relieved that the alarming five year trend of an increase in cruelty complaints (by 48% between 2005 and 2009), did not continue. This plateau may be attributable to easing drought conditions and increased public awareness of our Inspector’s role in the community.
Of the 14,263 animal cruelty complaints managed by our Inspectors, sadly the most frequently investigated complaints were animals without adequate food or water. Companion animals accounted for 68% of complaints, with an alarming increase of dog and cat cruelty recorded. Pleasingly the number of complaints involving horses decreased from 2,127 in 2008/09 to 1,329 in 2009/10. We attribute this decrease to the easing of drought conditions, feed being more readily available and the success of horse cruelty prosecutions by the RSPCA sending a strong message to horse owners regarding responsible ownership.
Animal welfare law enforcementEducating the community regarding animal welfare is a core element of each Inspector’s role. In many cases of reported cruelty, our Inspectors work to educate owners to obtain the best animal welfare outcome. Thankfully, in the majority of cases, this guidance is taken onboard and the welfare of the animal improves. Sadly however, there are times where the animal’s welfare is so compromised in the first instance, that a prosecution is the only appropriate course of action.
In the past year, our Inspectorate charged 54 people with 279 various animal cruelty offences under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (1986), also known as POCTAA. This was an increase of 38% on the previous year.
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Charyn Symes gains great satisfaction from her role as an RSPCA Inspector with responsibility for a region as diverse as South Yarra to the Yarra Valley. The highlights for Charyn are seeing how educating pet owners can result in an animal’s health improving and assisting in tricky cat rescues.
Enjoying Charyn’s cuddles is roly-poly faced Cooper. Cooper came to us as an Inspectorate case and after eight months growing up at our Burwood East shelter, this lovely boy found a new forever home. This big, bossy boy loves nothing more than a long sleep in his basket cuddled up to his purple elephant.
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2009/10 statistics2008/09 2009/10
Abattoirs 6 0
Aquariums 6 2
Breeders 49 6
Cats 1,572 1,926
Deer 20 4
Dogs 6,180 6,554
Domestic pets (other) 165 215
Emus/ostriches 8 1
Fish 73 65
Foxes 26 109
Horses 2,127 1,329
Kangaroos 104 20
Kennels 32 6
Koalas 5 2
Livestock 1,593 2,472
Markets 37 8
Other 773 247
Pet Shops 312 213
Possums 175 117
Poultry/birds 978 643
Riding schools 3 8
Rodeos 3 10
Sale yards 26 65
Seals 9 0
Transport 23 58
Traps/poisoning 116 148
Wildlife parks/petting 25 34
Wombats 9 1
Total 14,455 14,263
Key statisticsNumber of Notices to Comply 311
Number of Advisory Letters 263
Number of Warning Letters 23
Number of Warrants (animals) 22
Number of Warrants (other) 8
Complaint increases as compared to last year:
Cats > up 23%Dogs > up 6%Livestock > up 55%Foxes > up 319%Sale yards > up 150%Transport > up 152%
Grampians and Sunraysia 6%Mallee and Goldfields 6%Wangaratta and Northern 6%Gippsland and Peninsula 12%Western Districts 8%Metropolitan and Outer 62%
Grampians & Sunraysia
Mallee & Goldfields
Wangaratta & Northern
Gippsland & Peninsula
Western Districts
Metropolitan
Complaints by region Grampians and Sunraysia 8%
Mallee and Goldfields 8%
Wangaratta and Northern 6%
Gippsland and Peninsula 14%
Western Districts 10%
Metropolitan 55%
Cruelty complaints
Banning order for repeat guard dog cruelty offender Sadly, convictions for animal cruelty are not enough to deter some repeat offenders. This was certainly the case for the owner of a guard dog business who, over recent years, has been prosecuted by the RSPCA three times including a case in 2009/10. On this occasion, the offender neglected to provide much-needed veterinary care to a Rottweiler cross that was kept at commercial premises in St. Albans.
After being seized by RSPCA Inspectors, the dog was taken to a vet where it was found to have dental problems that had resulted in it being unable to eat. As a consequence of not receiving dental treatment, the dog was in very poor condition. Sadly, despite all our efforts for this dog he could not be rehomed due to his health and temperament, all of which could have been prevented with early intervention from the owner. In previous cases involving animals needing to be seized from this offender, we were fortunate enough to be able to rehabilitate and rehome the dogs.
The owner was convicted for failing to provide veterinary treatment, he was sentenced to one month imprisonment (suspended for two years) and ordered to pay court costs. A subsequent conviction for this offender relating to another case of guard dog cruelty then resulted in a banning order for 10 years.
A shocking case of cat crueltyTragically in 2009/10, reports of cat cruelty climbed by 23%, including an appalling case in Dandenong where the accused was witnessed wrapping a cat in a towel and repeatedly bashing the cat against a cement driveway. After the cat was surrendered to an RSPCA Inspector, it was rushed to a veterinarian for emergency care, where it was found to have a fractured skull. After intensive care from our veterinary and shelter teams the cat recovered and is now enjoying a loving new home.
The offender was charged with beating an animal and found guilty by the Magistrate. The offender was placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond and was banned from owning animals for five years.
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Not surprisingly RSPCA Peninsula Adoptions Officer Tori Shulver was enchanted by BB’s big brown eyes and invited him to become part of her family. Sadly he came to the RSPCA as part of an Inspectorate case when his racing career was behind him. Severely malnourished, he was slowly rehabilitated to become the gorgeous boy he is today. BB is Tori’s only horse so he enjoys her undivided attention and is relishing the chance to finally take it easy. BB is a perfect example of a horse that was given a second chance after his racing career - race horses can make great pets!
Ponies rescued and nurtured back to healthTwo miniature ponies in Heathcote were reported to our Inspectorate as being in poor health. Upon visiting the property, our Inspector discovered the two ponies were kept in a paddock with no natural feed and no supplementary feeding by their owner. As a result, the ponies were in very poor condition. Although our Inspector attempted to educate the owner, she failed to take action and consequently, the ponies were seized.
The offender was charged with two counts of failing to provide sufficient food to the ponies, two of failing to provide vet treatment and one of failing to comply with the RSPCA Inspector’s Notice to Comply. The offender was convicted on all five charges, fined $3,600, ordered to pay $366 in court costs and was banned from owning, or being the person in charge of any animal, for three years.
The ponies made a full recovery and have since found loving new homes after a stay at RSPCA Peninsula.
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It’s hard to imagine now but in mid 2009 Lambert was in a terrible state. Due to the abusive and neglectful treatment he was subjected to, he was seized by the Inspectorate and taken into the care of the RSPCA.
Lambert’s story touched so many at the RSPCA and in particular Liz Walker, Clinic Practice Coordinator. The patience and care provided to Lambert by Liz and the Clinic team over his ten week stay, transformed his life. He has rebuilt his trust in humans and has stolen the heart of a new family. Lambert is now part of a happy home with his adoring mum and an RSPCA adopted cat.
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Enhancing the Five Freedoms for animals
Veterinary careOver the past year, we have continued to develop and recruit a team of veterinarians with specific special interests to provide a greater level of in-house veterinary care. These specialised services include orthopaedics, skin conditions, eye conditions and ultrasound diagnosis.
There have been an increasing number of small companion animals coming to our clinics, particularly rabbits and guinea pigs, which is representative of the increasing interest in these animals as pets. This trend has required some re-thinking of how we manage an increased demand for small animal veterinary care and has identified opportunities for us to enhance our skills in this area.
Throughout the year there has been significant investment within the clinics to upgrade our infrastructure, including establishing a private cat ward, installing an oxygen concentrator to eliminate our dependence on bottled gas supply and the purchasing of a new ultrasound machine and digital x-ray developing system. These upgrades will greatly enhance our services and the high level of veterinary care we provide.
Welfare initiativesThis year we implemented a clinic welfare discount scheme to assist animal owners experiencing financial hardship. This scheme has enabled many animals to receive veterinary care and is a proactive strategy to improve the welfare of animals that may otherwise suffer ongoing health issues, be surrendered or even euthanased.
Our clinics were proud to once again participate in the state-wide ‘Who’s for Cats’ promotion, where members of the community were encouraged to take responsibility for neighbourhood cats that were semi-owned. These cats were desexed, microchipped and vaccinated for a significantly reduced fee of $50, with an even lower fee available for concession card holders. The number of community cats treated directly as part of this promotion was significantly higher, over 30 this year in comparison to 10 in 2008/09.
Animal behaviour programsOur animal behaviour and training services have continued to expand with additional dog training opportunities available at RSPCA Burwood East. The expansion of these services has included the launch of post adoption training to assist in the transition of dogs from our shelter into their new homes. We have also continued to address animal behavioural issues by hosting regular information sessions for the community focused on a range of behavioural problems. These sessions were also supported with training classes to provide owners with the knowledge and tools they need to live in harmony with their pets.
These programs and information sessions are integral to the long-term strategy of reducing surrenders to shelters and increasing the prospect of successful adoptions.
RSPCA veterinary clinics at Burwood East and Peninsula provide essential veterinary care to animals in our two largest shelters, while also servicing private clients. Our clinics have expanded over the past twelve months in response to an increasing community demand for veterinary services.
Burwood East Peninsula 2008/09 2009/10 2008/09 2009/10
RSPCA desexing operations
3,892 3,444 1,522 1,523
RSPCA surgery 972 1,074 253 171
RSPCA consultations
789 666 399 447
Private desexing operations
1,736 1,857 1,051 903
Private surgery 2,016 2,311 349 377
Private consultations
14,289 14,653 6,165 7,281
Total activity 23,694 24,005 9,739 10,702
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Enhancing the Five Freedoms for animals
Shelters
Emergency animal ambulances The RSPCA emergency animal ambulances received a total of 1,953 calls for assistance in the past year, resulting in the rescue of 1,252 animals. Calls to our ambulances decreased compared to last year due to the loss of the Hobsons Bay and Port Phillip council contracts.
Our emergency animal ambulances are an integral part of our community services, working closely with our shelter, clinic and local council partners. As a percentage of total ambulance activity, dog rescues accounted for 32%, compared to 22% in 2008/09. The rescue of cats increased marginally this year to 42%, while wildlife dropped slightly to 23%.
This year our ambulance fleet was rebranded with the generous support of Nickelodeon, with the vehicles now featuring ‘Go Diego Go’ the animal rescue character. This alignment is an excellent way of engaging a younger generation in our community work.
Adoptions - giving animals a second chanceThe RSPCA continually strives to improve adoption rates for animals and this year we initiated new programs, promotions and services to help achieve more happy endings. Over 9,500 puppies, dogs, kittens and cats were given a second chance, more than 250 rabbits and guinea pigs found new families and 23 horses found loving new homes after intensive rehabilitation.
Key initiatives from the past year are detailed below.
• A national adoption promotion ‘Pawfect Match’ was launched on Valentine’s Day and aimed at increasing successful adoptions through a ‘matching system’. This initiative, in partnership with Hill’s Pet Nutrition, was undertaken at RSPCA adoption centres across Australia.
• A promotion entitled ’Age Does Matter’ was launched in January to encourage adoptions of adult cats. Every person adopting a cat aged over four months received a free cat starter pack. Overall adult cat adoptions increased by 10% compared to the same period last year.
• Rabbit and guinea pig adoptions were expanded to all of our Victorian Adoption Centres and promotions were increased.
• Twilight adoptions on Thursday evenings were continued at Burwood East and Peninsula.
This year, 37,658 animals entered our 10 shelters across Victoria, a 6% decrease from last year. This included a lower number of animals admitted over the busy Christmas period for the first time in many years. Although some of this difference may be attributed to changes of some council contracts, this improvement indicates our responsible pet ownership messages are getting through which is pleasing news. We can only hope this positive trend continues into 2010/11.
Animals rescued by the RSPCA ambulances in 2009/10
Dogs - 32%
Cats - 42%
Wildlife - 23%
Other - 3%
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Geoff Hall, Shelter Supervisor at RSPCA Castlemaine, has dedicated his working life to animals and is not afraid to ‘think outside the box’ when finding ways to spread the cat welfare message in his community. Geoff’s commitment and dry sense of humour have ensured the RSPCA has a loyal, hard working team of staff and volunteers at his shelter. Sweep was surrendered to the RSPCA when he was six years old. When interviewed by adoption staff, he made it clear he did not want any competition for laps in his new home. Happily the besotted couple that adopted Sweep have made him the centre of their attention. Our Age Does Matter campaign highlighted the benefits of adopting adult cats just like Sweep.
Enhancing the five freedoms for animals
shelters
Rocky and Kiki are a double act adopted from the RSPCA. RSPCA staff were looking for the perfect family who would be committed to special training for Kiki who is deaf. They were a pawfect match for their new owners who were looking for two dogs to keep each other company, and who were prepared for this challenge. RSPCA staff and volunteers were over the moon when this cheeky pair found a home. With regular advice and support from the RSPCA, they are now loving members of their new family. Through obedience training, Kiki has learned sign language, she now wears a vibrating collar and has become less reliant on Rocky.
Outcomes for animals in our careOur dedicated team of staff and volunteers has a strong commitment to providing RSPCA animals with a second chance through rehabilitation of the sick and injured, the fostering of juvenile animals and re-homing through our adoption processes.
This year 15,217 sick, injured, stray and surrendered companion animals were reunited or re-homed within communities across Victoria. Almost 82% of dogs coming into our care were either adopted, reunited with their owners or were still in our care. Compulsory microchipping has had a significant impact on the number of lost dogs being reunited with their owners, with more than 53% of dogs coming into our care reunited with their owners, up from 46% last year.
Sadly the statistics were not so positive for cats. Only 36% of cats were adopted or reunited with their owners. It is extremely disappointing that we have not experienced the same increased uptake of microchipping for cats, with many of them arriving on our door step with no form of identification. Only 6% of cats were reclaimed. A comprehensive cat welfare strategy to improve welfare outcomes is being implemented in 2010/11.
Burwood & Epping Ballarat Bendigo Castlemaine Portland Peninsula Sale Wangaratta Warrnambool Total
2008/09 2009/10 2008/09 2009/10 2008/09 2009/10 2008/09 2009/10 2008/09 2009/10 2008/09 2009/10 2008/09 2009/10 2008/09 2009/10 2008/09 2009/10 2008/09 2009/10
% % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % %
Dogs admitted 7,443 6,883 2,183 2,229 2,405 2,647 371 339 586 643 3,507 3,315 157 193 701 725 681 759 18,966 17,733
Reclaimed 3,466 46.6 3,887 56.5 1,156 53 1,305 58.5 1,376 57.2 1,554 58.7 182 49 167 49.3 246 42.0 290 45.1 1,474 42 1,454 43.9 8 5.1 2 1 256 36.5 346 47.7 385 55.7 394 51.9 8,846 46.6 9,399 53
Adopted 1,770 23.8 1,702 24.7 597 27.3 650 29.2 574 23.9 694 26.2 111 29.9 114 33.6 164 28.0 158 24.6 936 26.7 874 26.4 97 61.8 118 61.1 184 26.2 133 18.3 158 22.9 166 21.9 4,939 26 4,609 26
Euthanased 1,390 18.7 1,170 17 396 18.1 263 11.8 358 14.9 294 11.1 47 12.7 28 8.3 170 29.0 179 27.8 1,058 30.2 966 29.1 33 21 54 28 152 21.7 191 26.3 148 21.4 152 20 3,958 20.9 3,297 18.6
Cats admitted 7,279 6,916 1,964 1,975 1,817 1,753 338 437 411 451 3,111 3,086 138 152 705 684 624 657 17,265 16,111
Reclaimed 436 6 388 5.6 72 3.7 122 6 131 7.2 131 7.5 7 2.1 15 3.4 16 3.9 12 2.5 174 5.6 193 6.2 0 0 0 0 57 8.1 35 5.1 21 3.3 23 3.5 935 5.4 919 5.7
Adopted 2,381 32.7 2,146 31 355 18.1 453 22.1 406 22.3 463 26.4 112 33.1 122 27.9 137 33.3 158 33.4 974 31.3 1,046 33.9 101 73.2 115 75.7 180 25.5 173 25.3 234 36.5 223 33.9 5,090 29.5 4,899 30.4
Euthanased 3,406 46.8 3,256 47.1 1,474 75.1 1,472 71.9 1,243 68.4 1,102 62.8 194 57.4 217 49.7 222 54.0 304 64.1 1,918 61.7 1,849 59.9 25 18.1 28 18.4 468 66.4 456 66.7 386 60.2 402 61.2 9,801 56.8 9,086 56.4
Other admissions 3,110 2,695 27 79 14 84 79 212 0 21 566 673 4 12 9 16 8 22 3,817 3,814
Wildlife 2,334 75 1,436 53.3 24 88.9 19 24.1 0 0 0 0 30 38 66 31.1 0 0 7 33.3 185 32.7 198 29.4 2 50 0 0 7 77.8 1 6.2 8 100 0 0 2,590 67.9 1,727 45.3
Non-domestic 776 25 1,259 46.7 3 11.1 60 75.9 14 100 84 100 49 62 146 68.9 0 0 14 66.7 381 67.3 475 70.6 2 50 12 100 2 22.2 15 93.8 0 0 22 100 1,227 21.1 2,087 54.7
Total 17,832 16,494 4,174 4,283 4,236 4,484 788 988 997 1,115 7,184 7,074 299 357 1,415 1,425 1,313 1,438 40,048 37,658
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Wildlife and livestockThe number of Australian native animals entering our care decreased to 1,727, dropping by 33% compared to 2008/09. Last year’s record admissions of wildlife were directly attributable to our work caring for animals affected by the Black Saturday bushfires.
RSPCA Adoption Centres experienced a significant increase in admissions of animals that were not companion animals or wildlife, up from 1,227 to 2,087. These animals included rabbits and guinea pigs, chickens, horses, goats and livestock that were either stray or seized by our Inspectorate team.
One of our largest single Inspectorate seizures in the past year involved 18 abandoned mini-horses. These mini horses were transported to our RSPCA Peninsula shelter for rehabilitation. Soon after their arrival at RSPCA Peninsula, much to the delight of the staff and volunteers, the group of 18 mini horses became 19 with the birth of a foal, or a ‘mini mini’! All of these mini horses found loving new homes, with some re-homed to families that had suffered animal losses during the Black Saturday bushfires.
Housing crisis impacting animalsDespite the overall reduction in animals entering our shelters, we experienced a significant increase in animals being surrendered by their owners due to moving house or being unable to find rental accommodation that would accept pets. Increasing housing prices and interest rates were also major contributing factors.
Sadly, once many people decide to surrender, their situation is at crisis point and giving up their pets seems to be the only option. To help support people who may be at risk of facing this situation, earlier this year we launched a comprehensive guide focused on renting with pets. This guide encourages pet owners to consider creating a curriculum vitae for their animals, to show potential landlords that they are a responsible owner.
Improving our sheltersThe RSPCA is committed to improving our facilities to provide the best possible animal care. This year, we invested in minor upgrades to many of our regional Adoption Centres, with a focus on improvements that would ensure the animals, visitors, staff and volunteers are able to remain comfortable. This included heating and cooling systems installed in the cat quarantine and adoption areas at RSPCA Sale and Wangaratta, shade cloth installed in a number of our dog exercise areas and the construction of several horse shelters.
With the support of local communities, RSPCA Warrnambool, Bendigo, Wangaratta and Sale received upgraded animal transport vehicles. Generous support of the RSPCA Wish List also helped purchase much needed equipment for our Adoption Centres across the state. The planned major redevelopment of our Burwood East site and the master planning of RSPCA Peninsula will commence in the coming year.
Burwood & Epping Ballarat Bendigo Castlemaine Portland Peninsula Sale Wangaratta Warrnambool Total
2008/09 2009/10 2008/09 2009/10 2008/09 2009/10 2008/09 2009/10 2008/09 2009/10 2008/09 2009/10 2008/09 2009/10 2008/09 2009/10 2008/09 2009/10 2008/09 2009/10
% % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % %
Dogs admitted 7,443 6,883 2,183 2,229 2,405 2,647 371 339 586 643 3,507 3,315 157 193 701 725 681 759 18,966 17,733
Reclaimed 3,466 46.6 3,887 56.5 1,156 53 1,305 58.5 1,376 57.2 1,554 58.7 182 49 167 49.3 246 42.0 290 45.1 1,474 42 1,454 43.9 8 5.1 2 1 256 36.5 346 47.7 385 55.7 394 51.9 8,846 46.6 9,399 53
Adopted 1,770 23.8 1,702 24.7 597 27.3 650 29.2 574 23.9 694 26.2 111 29.9 114 33.6 164 28.0 158 24.6 936 26.7 874 26.4 97 61.8 118 61.1 184 26.2 133 18.3 158 22.9 166 21.9 4,939 26 4,609 26
Euthanased 1,390 18.7 1,170 17 396 18.1 263 11.8 358 14.9 294 11.1 47 12.7 28 8.3 170 29.0 179 27.8 1,058 30.2 966 29.1 33 21 54 28 152 21.7 191 26.3 148 21.4 152 20 3,958 20.9 3,297 18.6
Cats admitted 7,279 6,916 1,964 1,975 1,817 1,753 338 437 411 451 3,111 3,086 138 152 705 684 624 657 17,265 16,111
Reclaimed 436 6 388 5.6 72 3.7 122 6 131 7.2 131 7.5 7 2.1 15 3.4 16 3.9 12 2.5 174 5.6 193 6.2 0 0 0 0 57 8.1 35 5.1 21 3.3 23 3.5 935 5.4 919 5.7
Adopted 2,381 32.7 2,146 31 355 18.1 453 22.1 406 22.3 463 26.4 112 33.1 122 27.9 137 33.3 158 33.4 974 31.3 1,046 33.9 101 73.2 115 75.7 180 25.5 173 25.3 234 36.5 223 33.9 5,090 29.5 4,899 30.4
Euthanased 3,406 46.8 3,256 47.1 1,474 75.1 1,472 71.9 1,243 68.4 1,102 62.8 194 57.4 217 49.7 222 54.0 304 64.1 1,918 61.7 1,849 59.9 25 18.1 28 18.4 468 66.4 456 66.7 386 60.2 402 61.2 9,801 56.8 9,086 56.4
Other admissions 3,110 2,695 27 79 14 84 79 212 0 21 566 673 4 12 9 16 8 22 3,817 3,814
Wildlife 2,334 75 1,436 53.3 24 88.9 19 24.1 0 0 0 0 30 38 66 31.1 0 0 7 33.3 185 32.7 198 29.4 2 50 0 0 7 77.8 1 6.2 8 100 0 0 2,590 67.9 1,727 45.3
Non-domestic 776 25 1,259 46.7 3 11.1 60 75.9 14 100 84 100 49 62 146 68.9 0 0 14 66.7 381 67.3 475 70.6 2 50 12 100 2 22.2 15 93.8 0 0 22 100 1,227 21.1 2,087 54.7
Total 17,832 16,494 4,174 4,283 4,236 4,484 788 988 997 1,115 7,184 7,074 299 357 1,415 1,425 1,313 1,438 40,048 37,658
Combined total outcomes may not equate to 100% of admissions because some animals may still be in our care, may have been transferred to other shelters or may have passed away.
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Community presenceIn 2009/10, the Victorian community actively engaged with the RSPCA in many different ways. Passion for animal welfare was demonstrated by record participation at RSPCA events, as well as an increased presence by the RSPCA at local community festivals including local council partner microchipping days. During this busy year, we also conducted seminars, information sessions, workplace and community group presentations, which allowed us to educate the community about our work and engage audiences in animal welfare issues.
Corporate commitment to animal welfareIncreasingly, companies are embracing corporate social responsibility as a fundamental way of improving the sustainability of their business, whether that is to increase brand value or help to recruit and retain quality staff. The RSPCA has a range of corporate engagement opportunities including workplace volunteering and giving programs. The number of organisations involved in supporting the RSPCA in this way has grown significantly again this year.
Our major corporate partner, Hill’s Pet Nutrition continued their support in 2009/10 as our exclusive national pet food sponsor and the major national sponsor of our Million Paws Walk. Another valued partner, TressCox Lawyers, maintained their critical support of key events, in addition to their tireless efforts as one of the legal firms supporting our Inspectorate prosecutions. We were also delighted to welcome new corporate partners supporting various RSPCA activities and animal welfare programs.
Digital and media presenceOur reach in the community has not been limited to a physical presence, with the digital environment opening up new channels and audiences. Increased use of digital communications has allowed us to educate and inspire, particularly with a generation who is online savvy. In 2009/10, traffic to our website continued to grow, as did our Facebook page with more than 19,500 fans recruited and engaged on a daily basis. We also began exploring animal welfare blogs as a means of communicating our animal welfare messages.
The fourth series of RSPCA Animal Rescue which aired nationally on the Seven network brought stories of animal welfare into the homes of over one million people per episode. Animal Rescue has resulted in increased awareness of animal welfare issues and our work in the community.
Probono support from business is crucial to our organisational effectiveness and we received outstanding support from many companies. As an organisation with limited funds for paid promotional activities, we rely heavily on support from media networks to inform and educate the community. We are very grateful for the support of Mitchell Communication Group, emitch, the Herald and Weekly Times Group, The Age, Leader Newspaper Group, Fairfax and regional newspapers, radio and television.
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Rain, hail or shine, several days each week for the past two years, Ross Marchal has risen early and made his way to RSPCA Burwood East. Waiting hopefully for Ross in the shelter are many enthusiastic dogs eager to stretch their legs and get some fresh air. Always happy to help with any job, Ross has tirelessly volunteered his time to provide vital exercise and human interaction to hundreds of appreciative four-legged friends.
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Community presenceMillion Paws WalkIn 2010, we were once again fortunate to experience record participation and funds raised from Million Paws Walks across Victoria. A significant increase in registrations before the event and superb weather on the day meant that on Sunday 16 May, an estimated 25,000 people across the state participated in this annual event. It is estimated that over 80,000 people took part nationally, raising over $1.3 million for animals in need.
The beautiful setting of Albert Park Lake once again proved to be a popular location for Victorian participants, attracting thousands of people. The Million Paws Walk events in outer-metropolitan and regional areas also enjoyed exceptional growth and attendance with events at Ballarat, Bendigo, Castlemaine, Geelong, Mornington Peninsula, Sale, Shepparton, Swan Hill, Wangaratta, Warragul, Warrnambool and Wyndham experiencing a 62% growth in funds raised.
Total funds raised from the 2010 event were $416,178, including regional income, which represents a 15% increase on the previous year. Million Paws Walk was again supported by our national sponsor Hill’s Pet Nutrition. Victorian sponsors were TressCox Lawyers, Snowy Mountain Natural Spring Water, nab, Dare to Live Personal Training and Aussie Farmers Direct, with in-kind support from Parks Victoria.
Million Paws Walk could not take place without the participation of regional coordinators, volunteers, staff and the Victorian community who support this event every year.
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Cupcake Day for the RSPCA Cupcake Day for the RSPCA is an easy event to participate in and lends itself to being a group activity with supporters encouraged to bake and sell cupcakes, and donate the proceeds to the RSPCA. The success of Cupcake Day for the RSPCA in 2009 exceeded all expectations. Compared to the previous year, registrations for the event increased by 1,390 and total funds raised were $174,923, a 957% increase.
The Victorian community showed great enthusiasm for this event with workplaces and schools making up the largest proportion of participants. Over $1.1 million was raised nationally in 2009 and we are hopeful that we will continue to see significant growth in coming years.
Cupcake Day was again generously sponsored by New Idea.
World Animal Day Gala BallRSPCA Victoria honoured World Animal Day, a global event that celebrates animals and the contribution they make to our lives, by hosting our 6th annual Gala Ball on Friday 2 October. A group of 470 guests attended the event at the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, where they were treated to an evening of special entertainment, exquisite food and wine, as well as exciting live and silent auctions which attracted a great deal of interest and competition!
A total of $183,984 was raised to support our adoption services. We were sincerely grateful to everyone who made this event such a success, including the businesses that generously donated auction items, our organising committee, volunteers, staff and guests.
TressCox Lawyers was the major sponsor of the Gala Ball with supporting sponsorship from Modern Promotions and Mitsubishi Motors Australia Ltd. In-kind support was generously provided by U-bahn design, James Walshe Photography and Gorgeous Films.
Fiona Atkinson, leader of the Events and Membership Team believes RSPCA Cupcake Day has captured the imagination of many new supporters because it creates a fun and easy group activity. Laura Cooper supported this event as a volunteer intern while completing the final year of her Public Relations degree. Ellie, the retriever’s expression says it all, what is not to love about an RSPCA event the combines a great fundraising opportunity with a lovely cupcake!
Santa Paws26 – 28 November 2010
Melbourne Pet and Animal Expo19 - 20 February 2011
Million Paws Walk15 May 2011
Cupcake Day15 August 2011
World Animal Day Gala BallOctober 2011
For the latest information on RSPCA events, please visit www.rspcavic.org.
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Income generation
Key outcomes for 2009/10• More than 25% income growth from our major events
with record participation levels from the community.
• Workplace giving donations from employees and employers grew by 12%.
• Our Animal Ambassador program (regular giving) grew by 47%. These committed supporters enable us to plan with confidence.
• Over $1.6 million dollars was donated to our direct marketing fundraising appeals, an increase of 4.1%.
• Income from our All Creatures Sponsorship program grew by more than 4%.
• A $30,000 grant to support our emergency animal ambulance service was received from the Hazel and Arthur Bruce Trust.
• A $16,200 grant to purchase disinfectant spray units for our shelter was received from the Mary Kibble Trust (ANZ Trustees).
We are also sincerely grateful for the support of The Animal Welfare Foundation of Australia which helped to fund our education services again this year. This support enabled us to continue providing educational programs to students and the broader community, to ensure positive animal welfare outcomes in the future.
The 2009/10 year provided a challenging financial environment for businesses and charities alike with consumer confidence at its lowest level for 17 years. Despite the difficult economic environment, we continued to receive strong and loyal support from the Victorian community.
We again relied heavily on the generosity of individuals and corporate partners to help fund our animal welfare programs. Animal welfare charities receive one of the lowest levels of government support, and only 3% of RSPCA Victoria’s total operating costs is covered by the state government.
The RSPCA continues to benefit from non-monetary contributions from many businesses and individuals who offer their time and expertise. One such partner is M&C Saatchi whose pro-bono creative services and strategic advice over the past five years, have helped us to raise much-needed funds to support our work.
Community fundraisingFor more than 16 years, we have been fortunate to receive monthly contributions from Ritchies IGA Supermarkets through their Community Benefit Program. Over this time, Ritchies, and their community-spirited customers, have generously donated more than $1.7 million to the RSPCA, which helped us to provide much-needed care to animals in need.
We have been inspired by the many schools, community groups and young people in our community who wanted to make a difference to animal welfare and demonstrated this commitment with fundraising and awareness activities. Young children, often still in primary school, have shown amazing initiative to raise funds to assist the RSPCA. This year, income from these junior fundraising activities has grown by 16%.
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As a young professional who has always had a love for animals, Diana jumped at the chance to become an RSPCA Animal Ambassador. Through her monthly donations, Diana and other generous souls like her are part of a special group of people who make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable animals. Diana also joins in the fun of volunteering at events such as Million Paws Walk. Diana, enjoyed the chance to have a cuddle with little Poppy the rabbit, one of the lucky animals she has helped re-home through her generous donations.
In 2009/10, our retail income generation activities were significantly impacted by the economic environment, with overall retail sales declining by 3%.
It has been a particularly challenging year for the Direct Retail team as income generated by outbound telephone activities declined by 14%. The economic climate had some impact on this result but overwhelmingly, it has been an increased customer resistance to telemarketing. In response to these changes in consumer behaviour, a restructure of the area will be phased in over the next 18 months. It is expected that by December 2011, we will cease outbound telemarketing and we will further shift our focus to inbound and online sales, with both of these channels experiencing sales growth.
Dedicated teams of RSPCA volunteers have been working tirelessly in our 15 op shops across the state throughout the past year. Overall income from these stores increased by 3%, with the majority of these sales raised from donated goods generously contributed by the community.
Upgrades to store layouts, and improved ranges for the pet retail product areas at RSPCA Burwood East and Peninsula contributed to a growth of 3% in retail sales.
We are very grateful for lasting legacies from our supporters who have ensured we can continue our important animal welfare work throughout Victoria. These bequests continued to fund a large percentage of our operating budget and many specific bequests have been received to upgrade our animal welfare facilities. Please refer to page 44 to view individual recognition for the generous supporters.
Our Bequest Animal Program continues to offer people peace of mind that their pets will be loved and cared for, should anything happen to their families. The program has seen considerable growth in the past year, which resulted from increased community awareness of the program. The number of animals placed into permanent foster homes as part of this important program, increased by an incredible 90% this year and interest in becoming a foster carer increased by 68%.
Retail
Lasting legacies
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Major donorsCompanionsCompanions are major supporters whose dedication to animal welfare and ‘all creatures great and small’ ensure that the values of the RSPCA are upheld.
Mr M J Anderson Mrs R Andre Miss S Brookes CSL Limited Ms J Davis Mrs A Gordon Mr K Halla Mrs Hallett Mr P Halstead and Ms R HoffmanMs M V Holland Ms B H McNicoll Mrs B H McKinnon Melk Pty Ltd Ms M Mercurio Miss M O’Sullivan Mr and Ms L Page Mrs L Richardson Ms H Schwarz Mrs J F Smith Ms V G Stevenson Miss S Sullivan Things Seasonal Mr I J Tyler Mr N Vink
FriendsFriends are major supporters of the RSPCA who make a valuable contribution to animal welfare and the wellbeing of ‘all creatures great and small’.
Dr R Albon Mr and Mrs R Austen Mrs J S Barlow Miss T J Barradell Ms C Belcher Ms J Bendall Ms D L Bertalli Ms P Beswick Mrs M R Bishop Blue Illusion Westfield Miss S M Box Mr P R Brown Ms J R Bull Dr B M Bullivant Ms B A Cameron Mr J E Cappadona Ms J Carter Ms A Cimino Mr A Cobb Miss L Coles Mrs M T Cronin Ms M Cronin Miss R E Culph Dr P H Currie Mrs J C Dahlsen Mr P Daniel Lady Dawson Mr P Downer Mr J Enenkel Mrs D Farquharson Dr L Figgins Miss C Filson Ms M Frazer Mrs K C Genssen Mr A G Gray Mrs S Hains Hanlon Foundation Mr M Hanrahan
Ms J Hayton Ms J Heazlewood Mr S Heselwood Mr C and Mrs S Hill Dr H Hiscock Dr K Hogan Ms R L Holmes Miss P M Holmes Mrs H Hopkins Ms J Howell Dr M J Hrasky Miss B E Hughes Mr T H Jansz Mr I Jarman Dr F JuddLady C Kater AM Ms E Kirby Mr D J Koliopanos Ms C Lai Mr L Lazarus Mr D Leith Ms C Lidgerwood Mrs M Lowe Miss M Mabbitt OAM Mr I Maloon Mr A D Martin Mrs M Matthews Mr J McCrindle Mrs V A McGeoch Mrs J C McHutchison Ms M McIver Miss A McIver Ms G McNaught Mr A Miller Ms J Mullins Mrs M Munro Miss M L Murphy
Mrs C and Dr B Neubecker Ms E Neville Mrs A M O’Connor Mrs C Park Ms S Perkal Ms S Perrett Ms S Polini Lady Potter Mr G Rankin Miss L Riederer Ms M Riley Rob Meree Foundation Ms E M Russell Dr N Schenk Dr S Schofield Ms A Seaman Mr A Serebva Mr A Shanks Mr B Smith Mr N Spitzer Mr F R Stannus Miss A B Stewart Mrs E Tabary-Collins Mrs A Taves The Pratt Family Foundation Mr D Towers Ms P Townshend Mrs E Vaughan Mrs P Walter Mr A Walton Miss J G Wellings Ms G R White Drs A and C Whitehead Ms J Williams Dr J Williams Dr G Williamson Ms J Wilson
ProtectorsProtectors are valued major supporters who demonstrate leadership in their giving, and play a vital part in enabling the RSPCA to continue delivering vital animal welfare services to the community.
Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC, DBE Miss B Amsden OAM The Animal Welfare Foundation of Australia Mr J and Mrs L BatesMr C H (Bill) Beauchamp Ms J E Boynton Mrs E Burgess Miss S Burt Mr C and Mrs L Catlow Mrs E Downing Dulux Group (Aust) Pty Ltd Dr L Duncan Mr T Evans Dr A G Firkin Mr W L Fitzherbert Griffith Hack Unit Trust Mr O Happy Mrs M E Henderson Mrs M Johnson Mrs M Jones Mrs B A Kelly Mrs J Lang Ms A Lowe Mr R Muirden Ms V Newman Dr M Olekalns Mr J G Prior Miss K Reid Ritchies Stores Pty Ltd Ryan’s IGA Mr G Shalit and Ms M Faine Mr R and Mrs E Stradwick Mr M Stul TP (Australia) Pty Ltd Ms S Tantau Mrs M Wallace
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Hill’s Pet Nutrition - national sponsor of the Million Paws Walk and the major sponsor of RSPCA animal shelters.
Sponsor of the Million Paws Walk and the World Animal Day Gala Ball.
Generous providers of pro-bono creative for RSPCA marketing campaigns and appeals.
The Bendigo RSPCA Rescue Visa Credit Card contributes over $70,000 annually to support
RSPCA Victoria’s adoption program.
Customers of Ritchies Supermarkets contributed more than $176,000 this year, to support RSPCA animal welfare services.
Supporting sponsor of the World Animal Day Gala Ball.
Supporting sponsor of the World Animal Day Gala Ball.
Proud sponsors of the RSPCA Ambulance Service.
Sponsor of the Million Paws Walk.
RSPCA Victoria was also generously supported by the following companies:Tyrrell’s Wines, James Walshe Photography, Gorgeous Films, U-bahn design, Parks Victoria, Dare to Live, NAB and Aussie Farmers Direct.
Corporate partners
The gentle and warm-hearted Alice was found destitute after the 2009 Victorian bushfires. With intensive care, Alice’s growth and progress was fortunately so rapid, that she was released back into the wild in early June 2010, a confident, healthy and happy young survivor. The RSPCA is proud of its efforts to provide wildlife carers such as the Wildhaven Wildlife Shelter with the funds, equipment and support to assist in the on-going care of orphaned wildlife like little wallaby joey, Alice.
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Honorary Life MembersHonorary Life Membership is the highest recognition given by RSPCA Victoria. Awarded by the Board, Honorary Life Membership acknowledges those individuals who have made a significant contribution to RSPCA Victoria and animal welfare.
Honorary Life Membership was awarded for the first time in 2008, according to new eligibility guidelines and criteria. This new policy extended the criteria to ensure that people who previously may not have been considered for nomination, were eligible.
The successful nominees and worthy recipients for 2009 were Clive and Lynda Catlow and Lynn Buckley.
Miss Betty Amsden OAMDr John AyerbeMr Peter BarberMrs H BartholomewMiss Laurie BatisteMr Doug BaudinetteMr Charles (Bill) BeauchampDr Robert BeggDr Onn Ben-DavidMr Charles BrownMrs Joan BrownMr Peter BrownMrs Jan BuchterMrs Lynn BuckleyMrs Erica CairnsProf Ivan CapleMr Robert CarraillClive & Lynda CatlowMrs Karen CosgriffMrs Janice CrowleyMr Rod CurtisMiss Barbara DartMr Peter DunkMr David Elsum AM
Snr Sgt Peter GivenMrs Nerida GrayMr A G HallMrs Barbara HalseMrs Edna Hambridge The Hon Vernon HauserMs Karen HazelMr Garth HodgeMr Michael HollandMs Barbara HornMr Richard HunterMr Monty JamesDr Neville JappMrs Alwynne Jona OAMThe Hon William Kaye AO QCMrs Marjory Kent OAMMrs June KillianMr Keith KingMr Stuart LawsonMrs Rosemary LillMrs Phylis LoweMiss Hazel LukeDr Barbara Maddern-WellingtonMrs Ursula Manning
Mrs Heather McCrackenMrs Barbara MeehanCapt Michael J MeehanMr S I Miller AO LVO QPMMrs Helen MooreDame Elisabeth Murdoch AC DBEMr Kevin O’BrienMs Glennys OogjesMrs Carol L J PenmanDr Peter PensonMiss Ninon PhillipsMrs Ann PollardMrs Joan QuinMr Brian ReidMrs H RonzioMr Pat SalmonMr Stephen SedgmanMrs Lynette SedgmanDr Michael SheedyMrs D SipaviciusMr F SmithMrs Dianne SmithMr James T Smith B. Comm FEAProf Virginia P Studdert
Mrs Jean WallbridgeDr Carole WebbMs Shirley WesterburgThe Hon Frank Wilkes AMMrs Lorna WilliamsDr Hugh Wirth AM KSJMrs Betty WoodMrs Janet WoodMr Graham ZetterMrs Sally Zetter
Honorary Life Membership was awarded to the following individuals who have now sadly passed away. Their contribution to animal welfare and the RSPCA will be remembered.
Miss Nan MooreMrs E PaxtonMs Barbara HornMrs Mirriam QuickMr Michael Schildberger
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BequestsAirlie Isobel BaillieAlbert Arthur Robert BolamAmelia Maude GillespieAnn BirkettAnna Maria Francisca KnoxAudrey Lois MacDonaldAudrey Patricia BrowneBeatrice Elizabeth Gordon EldridgeBernard Charles Patrick HodgsonBertha HorvathBeryl BlightBeryl Emily DanielBeryl Merle CarrollBeryl Rose MaysBetty RogersCarolyn Elizabeth RawlinsCatharine Mary HannCeleste DavidsonCheryl Kaye Clara JanetzkiClaire Annette MaherCynthia Isobel MunceyDaintrie HallettDavid Stuart LawsonDesmond Robert GibbsDonald Frank RiderDorothy Jane Fone Dorothy May Parker Edith Winifred WarrenEdna May Veronica McKennaEileen Annie CorkeEleanor Pierce HardingEllen BokorElsie Agnes LeClerc AndersenEmily Theresa GreftegreffEna JamiesonEne Gwenda QuirkEnid Valerie DawlingEric Wilfred HoltEryl Pamela Villeneuve-SmithFrank Charles SamwaysGeorge Edward PerryGottliebe SalfickyGrace Helen MiddletonHarold John Casey
Helen Fleurette Finnie (Fleur Finni)Helen Margaret HolmesHelga Christa RothHorst Karl Fritz & Erika Irene Ursula Wabnik Iola Alice BarnesIrene Elizabeth MarshallIrene KozicaIvy May ClarkJ L ThomasJanice Patricia Holmes Jean Coats ReidJean Doris GreenJean Elizabeth DudleyJean Mavis MasseyJessie Adelaide HillJill Inez BlackwellJoan Elwyn MedsonJoan Helen FeeleyJoan Leah KerrJoan Lillian BlundellJoan Mary O’MaraJohanna DumaJohn Anthony West LauJohn Arthur WildingJohn Geoffrey Frederick SchollenbergerJohn Henry Charles JarrettJohn Keith BetherasJohn Lindsay PierceJohn Robert Joseph LeesJosephine WhittonJoy VinicombeJoyce Moya MortonJune Caroline StoessigerJune Maira Victor LettKatye GreeneKenneth McDonald MartinLee Mei Nooi (Mary Ho)Leslie James MarrLeslie Olive FeatherLilian Isobel GordonLindsay Harvey PooreLloyd Rankin DeansLorraine WatsonLucy Rafferty
Magda SomogyiMargery Isabel PierceMaria Agatha PauwMartin Leonard WrayMary Ann Janet AtkinsMary Janet Victoria StewartMary Louise Lowes Mary Margaret OakleyMary Margarita HughesMary WalkerMaysie MeredithMelanie SchroppMyra Clair BowmanNancy Charlotte BartlettNigel James ChanterNola Rubeena CurranNorma Stella WestbrookNorman Thomas MarshallOlive BenwellPatricia Mary WilkiePatricia SmithPatrick Sullivan StaplesPatti Forbes LloydPhilip Maxwell BeckPhyllis Jessie LaidlawRobert Derek GreenfieldRobert Henderson StewartRonald Bruce HethertonRonald Peter SweeneyRuth Beverley WalsheSandra Sue WussackStanley George DurantStanley George SkinnerStella ThomsonSybil Craig Sylvia Ruth HodgeThelma Joan DensleyThomas Wade Valda Irene KeilValora May WalkeWaldemar LenskyWinifred Millie SladeYasuko Hiraoka MyerYvonne Josephine Rosemary KnightYvonne Mary Hatton
Trusts ANZ Trustees FoundationAon Charitable FoundationArther Ewdwin and Edith Barry EstateBaker FoundationBarnes BequestBruce McDonald Charitable TrustDonald Dennett James WaltersElizabeth McCartney EstateElsie May Atherton EstateFlorence Aileen Anderson Charitable TrustFrederick Inman TrustGeoffrey Ian Berry Estate (The Therapon Foundation)Helen Fookes TrustJ M Patterson EstateJean Mary Greenlees TrustJohn Frank Aiken EstateJohn Murphy Charitable TrustJoseph Norman Mason TrustJosie Patterson TrustJoyce Adelaide Healey TrustKatrina May Russell EstateKeila Hinde Charitable TrustKeith and Sylvia McLarenTrustKenneth and Waverly Harris TrustKevin Stewart Cowell TrustLeslie and Hedi Basch Charitable TrustLeslie and Helen Crawford FundLola Poynton Memorial FundMarjorie Hayes & Olivia Cock MemorialMary Evelyn Bowley EstateMary Gray TrustPatricia McIntyre FoundationPeter Isaacson FoundationRuth Fagg FoundationSarah Josephine Logue Memorial FundSpencer InvestmentsThelma May Bradbury EstateThelma Silver TrustWilliam Barr Trust
Bequests Trusts&
‘You can call me Teddy Maradona. My silky skills with ping-pong balls are beyond compare.’ If he isn’t practising his ball skills, Teddy is chasing string or perched up high – either on the roof or the top of his scratching post.
Teddy’s owner had him registered on the RSPCA Bequest Animal Program. Teddy joined his foster carer in 2008 and now lives a happy life in a retirement village.
‘We are a perfect match. My owner loves to rub my tummy endlessly and I am more than happy to entertain everyone here at the village, by showing off my magnificent tail in its upright position all day.’
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Glenys Marriott knew the timing was right to act on her interest in volunteering with the RSPCA when the Education team expanded their ‘family’ to include rats. As the resident rat expert, Glenys is often found with one of her favourites snuggled up on her shoulder while she works. During her five years with the RSPCA as both a volunteer and paid staff member, Glenys has provided love and care to all of our Education animals, helping with our School Holiday Programs and enthusiastically supporting many other projects.
Glenys’ face lights up when she talks about long standing resident, Lucy the Goose. Lucy is the self appointed ‘head of security’ for the barn, alerting everyone to any visitors with loud and persistent honking. When not keeping an eye on ‘her’ barn, Lucy enjoys spending her spare time hanging out in the paddock with her close friends, the ponies.
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Financial report
48 Directors’ Report 51 Auditor’s Independence Declaration 51 Independent Auditor’s Report 51 Directors’ Declaration 52 Statement of Comprehensive Income 53 Statement of Financial Position 54 Statement of Changes in Equity 56 Statement of Cash Flows
57 Notes to the financial statements
48
The Directors of The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Victoria) (‘RSPCA’) present the following annual financial report of the Company for the financial year ended 30 June 2010. In order to comply with the provisions of the Corporations Act 2001, the Directors’ report as follows:
Information about the DirectorsThe names and particulars of the Directors of the company during or since the end of the financial year are:
Names Qualifications Occupation
Dr Hugh J Wirth AM KS J BVSc, Hon DVSc (Melb) Retired Veterinary Practitioner
Mr Robert Carraill OAM BAgSc, DipAgExtn, FAIAST Retired Agricultural Scientist
Dr Onn Ben-David OAM BVSc Veterinary Practitioner
Dr Carole Webb BVSc (Hons), MACVSc (Feline Medicine) Veterinary Practitioner
Mrs Lorraine Bates - Business Experience – Tourism and Customer Service
Ms Barbara Horn - Published Author and former ABC Radio Presenter
Mr James Smith BComm, FCA Practicing Chartered Accountant
The Hon. John D Phillips LLB (Hons) Retired Supreme Court Judge
Ms Suzanne Ewart BEcon, ASA Principal Business Consultant
Ms Dana Hlavacek BComm (Hons), MAcc, FCA, GAICD Non Executive Director
Mr Marco Ciobo BSc, MSc Management Consultant
The above named Directors held office during the whole of the financial year and since the end of the financial year except for:• Ms Barbara Horn - deceased 12 January 2010• The Hon. John D Phillips - appointed 25 August 2009, resigned 27 January 2010• Ms Suzanne Ewart - appointed 19 January 2010• Ms Dana Hlavacek - appointed 19 January 2010• Mr Marco Ciobo - appointed 27 January 2010
The names and qualifications of the Secretaries of the Company during the year or since the end of the financial year are:
Names Qualifications
Mr Duncan MacKellar BSc, LLB
Mr Greg O’Brien BBus(Acc), CPA
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Directors’ meetingsThe following table sets out the number of Directors’ meetings held during the financial year and the number of meetings attended by each Director. *Two extraordinary meetings were held in January 2010 to fill Board vacancies.
Board of Directors Extraordinary * Audit Committee CEO Review Committee
DirectorsMeetings attended
Eligible to attend
Meetings attended
Eligible to attend
Meetings attended
Eligible to attend
Meetings attended
Eligible to attend
Dr Hugh J Wirth AM KSJ 11 11 2 2 - - 1 1
Mr Robert Carraill OAM 9 11 2 2 2 2 - 1
Dr Onn Ben-David OAM 9 11 2 2 - - - -
Dr Carole Webb 10 11 2 2 1 2 - -
Mrs Lorraine Bates 10 11 2 2 - - 1 1
Ms Barbara Horn 1 6 - - - - - -
Mr James Smith 10 11 2 2 2 2 - -
The Hon. John D Phillips 4 4 1 2 - - - -
Ms Suzanne Ewart 5 5 1 1 - - - -
Ms Dana Hlavacek 5 5 1 1 - - 1 1
Mr Marco Ciobo 4 5 - - - - - -
Nominations CommitteeStrategy and Corporate
Policy CommitteeAnimal Welfare
CommitteeBudget and Finance
Committee
DirectorsMeetings attended
Eligible to attend
Meetings attended
Eligible to attend
Meetings attended
Eligible to attend
Meetings attended
Eligible to attend
Dr Hugh J Wirth AM KSJ 2 2 8 9 8 9 4 4
Mr Robert Carraill OAM - - 5 9 5 9 - -
Dr Onn Ben-David OAM - - 8 9 9 9 3 4
Dr Carole Webb 1 1 - - 8 9 - -
Mrs Lorraine Bates - - 7 9 7 9 2 2
Ms Barbara Horn - 2 - 4 - - - -
Mr James Smith - - - - - - 4 4
The Hon. John D Phillips - - 4 4 - - - -
Ms Suzanne Ewart - - 4 4 - - 2 2
Ms Dana Hlavacek - - - - - - 2 2
Mr Marco Ciobo - - - - - - - -
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Principal activities, objectives and performanceThe strategy of the organisation is summed up in the principal activities undertaken during the year which include the refuge and care of animals, adoption services, enforcement of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act by RSPCA Inspectors, education and campaigning to improve animal welfare awareness and engagement. Please refer to the respective sections of the annual report for detailed information on the operations and achievements of the RSPCA throughout the year.
Details of membershipThe RSPCA is a public company, limited by guarantee, incorporated and operating in Victoria, Australia. The guarantee is $10 per member and at 30 June 2010 there were 1,670 members (2009: 1,727 members).
Review of operationsThe RSPCA achieved a modest surplus result for the 2009/10 financial year with Net Assets growing by $274,816 (2009: $14,889,318). The RSPCA earned total income amounting to $30,766,251 (2009: $43,764,740) with the reduction from prior years mainly due to bequests for the year of $9,390,741 against the prior year of $19,347,489 and funds raised from the Bushfire Appeal equalling $61,373 (2009: $4,107,462).
Total expenditure for the year of $30,491,435 (2009: $28,875,422) has risen slightly. Expenses relating to the Bushfire Appeal increased significantly in 2009/10 amounting to $2,012,349 (2009: $1,221,668) as grants were paid out to assist victims of the bushfires. A greater focus on education combined with developing and implementing animal welfare campaigns has also been a major contributor to higher expenses for the year.
The net value of the RSPCA Foundation increased by $242,607 for the year compared to a loss of $1,735,472 for the 2008/09 year. This result reflected the more consistent nature of the Australian equity market.
Changes in state of affairsThere was no significant change in the state of affairs of the consolidated entity during the financial year.
Subsequent eventsThere has not been any matter or circumstance occurring subsequent to the end of the financial year that has significantly affected, or may significantly affect, the operations of the consolidated entity, the results of those operations, or the state of affairs of the consolidated entity in future financial years.
Future developmentsDisclosure of information regarding likely developments in the operations of the consolidated entity in future financial years and the expected results of those operations is likely to result in unreasonable prejudice to the consolidated entity. Accordingly, this information has not been disclosed in this report.
Environmental regulationThe consolidated entity’s operations are not regulated by any significant environmental regulation under a law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory.
Indemnifying officer or auditorDuring the financial year, the Company paid a premium in respect of a contract insuring the Directors of the Company (as named above), the Company Secretaries, and all Executive Officers of the company and of any related body corporate against a liability incurred as such a Director, Secretary or Executive Officer to the extent permitted by the Corporations Act 2001. The contract of insurance prohibits disclosure of the nature of the liability and the amount of the premium.
The Company has not otherwise, during or since the financial year, except to the extent permitted by law, indemnified or agreed to indemnify an officer or auditor of the company or of any related body corporate against a liability incurred as such an officer or auditor.
Proceedings on behalf of companyNo person has applied for leave of Court to bring proceedings on behalf of the Company or intervene in any proceedings to which the Company is party for the purpose of taking responsibility on behalf of the Company for all or any part of those proceedings. The Company was not a party to any such proceedings during the financial year.
Auditor’s independence declarationThe Auditor’s Independence Declaration is included on page 51 of the Concise Report.
Signed in accordance with the resolution of the directors made pursuant to s.298(2) of the Corporations Act 2001.
On behalf of the Directors
H J Wirth AM KSJ J T SmithDirector Director
21 September 2010, Melbourne
51
Board of DirectorsThe Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Victoria)3 Burwood HighwayBURWOOD EAST, VIC 3151
21 September 2010
Dear Board Members,
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Victoria)
In accordance with section 307C of the Corporations Act 2001, I am pleased to provide the following declaration of independence to the directors of The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Victoria).
As lead audit partner for the audit of the financial statements of The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Victoria) for the financial year ended 30 June 2010, I declare that to the best of my knowledge and belief, there have been no contraventions of:
(i) the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 in relation to the audit; and
(ii) any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit.
Yours sincerely
DELOITTE TOUCHE TOHMATSUIsabelle LefevrePartner - Chartered Accountants
Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Victoria)The accompanying concise financial report of The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Victoria) comprises the statement of financial position as at 30 June 2010, the statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in equity and statement of cash flows for the year then ended and related notes, derived from the audited financial report of The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Victoria) for the year ended 30 June 2010 and the discussion and analysis as set out on pages 52 to 57. The concise financial report does not contain all the disclosures required by the Australian Accounting Standards.
Directors’ Responsibility for the Concise Financial Report
The Directors are responsible for the preparation and presentation of the concise financial report in accordance with Accounting Standard AASB 1039 Concise Financial Reports and the Corporations Act 2001. This responsibility includes establishing and maintaining internal control relevant to the preparation of the concise financial report; selecting and applying appropriate accounting policies; and making accounting estimates that are reasonable in the circumstances.
Auditor’s Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the concise financial report based on our audit. We have conducted an independent audit, in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards, of the financial report of The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Victoria) for the year ended 30 June 2010. Our auditor’s report on the financial report for the year was signed on 21 September 2010 and was not subject to any modification. The Australian Auditing Standards require that we comply with relevant ethical requirements relating to audit engagements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial report for the year is free from material misstatement.
Our procedures in respect of the concise financial report included testing that the information in the concise financial report is derived from, and is consistent with, the financial report for the year, and examination on a test basis, of evidence supporting the amounts, discussion and analysis, and other disclosures which were not directly derived from the financial report for the year.
These procedures have been undertaken to form an opinion whether, in all material respects, the concise financial report, including the discussion and analysis, complies with Accounting Standard AASB 1039 Concise Financial Reports.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
Auditor’s Independence Declaration
In conducting our audit, we have complied with the independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001.
Auditor’s Opinion
In our opinion, the concise financial report, including the discussion and analysis of The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Victoria) for the year ended 30 June 2010 complies with Accounting Standard AASB 1039 Concise Financial Reports.
DELOITTE TOUCHE TOHMATSUIsabelle LefevrePartner - Chartered Accountants21 September 2010, Melbourne
Directors’ DeclarationThe directors declare that:(a) in the directors’ opinion, the attached financial statements and
notes thereto comply with Accounting Standard AASB 1039 Concise Financial Reports; and
(b) the attached financial statements and notes thereto have been derived from the full financial report of the company.
Signed in accordance with a resolution of the directors.
On behalf of the Directors
H J Wirth AM KSJ J T SmithDirector Director
21 September 2010, Melbourne
52
RSPCA (Victoria) & Foundation RSPCA (Victoria)
2010 $ 2009 $ 2010 $ 2009 $
INCOME
Fees for service - animals 8,893,164 8,798,646 8,893,164 8,798,646
Bequests 9,390,741 19,347,489 9,390,741 19,347,489
Fundraising 5,607,893 5,936,461 5,607,893 5,936,461
Retail sales 3,251,425 3,277,587 3,251,425 3,277,587
Interest* 919,093 1,417,262 910,529 1,398,876
Grant from RSPCA Foundation - - 378,933 422,238
Government grants 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000
Bushfire donations** 61,373 4,107,462 61,373 4,107,462
Education and rental income 272,997 173,093 256,542 161,715
Net gains/(losses) on trading portfolio 497,955 (1,606,948) 271,803 161,303
Membership subscriptions 65,087 70,325 65,087 70,325
Dividends and franking credits 794,960 600,681 390,147 144,390
Profit on disposal of non-current assets 11,563 642,682 11,563 642,682
TOTAL INCOME 30,766,251 43,764,740 30,489,200 45,469,174
ExPENDITURE
Animal welfare related expenses (17,891,082) (17,433,008) (17,891,082) (17,433,008)
Education, campaigns and communication (1,214,827) (591,933) (1,214,827) (591,933)
Fundraising and bequest expenses (2,282,223) (2,477,101) (2,282,223) (2,477,101)
Retail expenses including cost of sales (2,892,729) (2,881,090) (2,892,729) (2,881,090)
Support services (3,868,633) (3,665,948) (3,834,189) (3,634,910)
Taxes and insurance (262,304) (246,075) (262,304) (246,075)
Bushfire support and grants** (2,012,349) (1,221,668) (2,012,349) (1,221,668)
Drought Animal Aid appeal costs - (1,000) - (1,000)
Finance costs (67,288) (357,599) (67,288) (357,599)
TOTAL ExPENDITURE (30,491,435) (28,875,422) (30,456,991) (28,844,384)
NET SURPLUS 274,816 14,889,318 32,209 16,624,790
Other comprehensive income - - - -
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR 274,816 14,889,318 32,209 16,624,790
Discussion and analysis of the consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
The overall result for RSPCA during 2009/10 was a modest surplus of $274,816 including income and expenses related to the Bushfire Appeal. The operational surplus excluding Bushfire Appeal income and expenses was $2,225,792.
RSPCA income generation during the past financial year reduced by $12,998,489 compared to 2008/09. This was primarily due to a reduction in bequest income of $9,956,748 following two extraordinary years for bequest income in 2008/09 ($19,347,489) and 2007/08 ($13,349,946). Income from the RSPCA Bushfire Appeal conducted in 2008/09 following the devastating Black Saturday fires decreased by $4,046,089.
Operational revenues from activities other than bequests or the RSPCA Bushfire Appeal increased $1,004,348 year-on-year assisted by gains in investment income following the recovery of equity markets and rising interest rates as well as improving performance within ongoing fundraising activities. The generous support of the Victorian community was again evident in these results. Interest income for the year reduced after funds on deposit were used to repay a bank facility required to fund site redevelopment.
Overall expenditure for the RSPCA increased by $1,616,013 during 2009/10 compared with 2008/09. This additional expenditure included:• Additional distributions from the Bushfire Appeal of $790,681
following a full year of distributions from the fund (previously 5 months worth of distributions in 2008/09).
• An increase in animal welfare expenditure of $458,074 due to increasing demand on services and inflationary effect on costs.
• An additional investment in education and campaigns of $622,894 driven by an increase in campaign activity during the year.
• A reduction in finance costs for the year of $290,311 due to improved cash flow performance and the repayment of the bank facility used to fund site redevelopment.
The underlying trend is expenses are increasing as demand for services continues to grow.
* $62,903 of interest income relates to interest earned on the RSPCA Bushfire Appeal receipts. All interest earned from the Bushfire Appeal will be directed to bushfire relief.
** All funds raised under the RSPCA Bushfire Appeal will be directed to support bushfire affected animals. At reporting date $3,234,017 of these funds had been expended and an additional $139,000 has been committed.
53
RSPCA (Victoria) & Foundation RSPCA (Victoria)
2010 $ 2009 $ 2010 $ 2009 $
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents 3,189,199 10,175,762 2,916,081 9,523,440
Trade and other receivables 437,344 4,526,478 1,008,222 4,830,357
Inventories 659,405 556,914 659,405 556,914
Other financial assets 32,327,807 25,001,760 25,425,099 18,987,862
Other assets 533,065 598,727 533,065 598,727
Total current assets 37,146,820 40,859,641 30,541,872 34,497,300
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Trade and other receivables - 954,654 - 954,654
Property, plant and equipment 27,983,619 25,642,482 27,983,619 25,642,482
Total non-current assets 27,983,619 26,597,136 27,983,619 26,597,136
TOTAL ASSETS 65,130,439 67,456,777 58,525,491 61,094,436
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Trade and other payables 1,300,004 958,387 1,300,004 958,387
Borrowings 2,071,680 5,808,211 2,071,680 5,808,211
Provisions 1,828,539 1,678,999 1,828,539 1,678,999
Total current liabilities 5,200,223 8,445,597 5,200,223 8,445,597
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
Borrowings 703,812 158,525 703,812 158,525
Provisions 266,160 167,227 266,160 167,227
Total non-current liabilities 969,972 325,752 969,972 325,752
TOTAL LIABILITIES 6,170,195 8,771,349 6,170,195 8,771,349
NET ASSETS 58,960,244 58,685,428 52,355,296 52,323,087
EQUITY
Accumulated funds 58,960,244 58,685,428 52,355,296 52,323,087
TOTAL EQUITY 58,960,244 58,685,428 52,355,296 52,323,087
Discussion and analysis of the consolidated Statement of Financial PositionThe most significant impact on the Statement of Financial Position during 2009/10 was the repayment of a bank facility used to fund site redevelopment works following cash receipts from the completion of a sale of land contract related to the Johnson Bequest. This contract was completed a year ahead of time. This transaction resulted in a significant reduction in Current Assets - Trade and Other Receivables combined with Non-Current Assets – Trade and Other Receivables as well as an offsetting reduction in Current Liabilities – Borrowings.
Additional changes to the financial position of the RSPCA included the completion of works at RSPCA Bendigo and the capitalisation of motor vehicles under finance leases. These vehicles were previously leased under operating leases and the change resulted in an increase in Assets and Current and Non-Current Borrowings on the Statement of Financial Position.
Current Assets - Other Financial Assets include funds received from bequests specifically for the purpose of Site Redevelopment at RSPCA Burwood East. At balance date these specific purpose funds totalled $10,939,311.
54
RSPCA (Victoria) & Foundation Accumulated funds $ Total $
Balance at 1 July 2008 43,796,110 43,796,110
Surplus for the year 14,889,318 14,889,318
Total comprehensive income for the year 14,889,318 14,889,318
Balance at 30 June 2009 58,685,428 58,685,428
Surplus for the year 274,816 274,816
Total comprehensive income for the year 274,816 274,816
Balance at 30 June 2010 58,960,244 58,960,244
RSPCA (Victoria) Accumulated funds $ Total $
Balance at 1 July 2008 35,698,297 35,698,297
Surplus for the year 16,624,790 16,624,790
Total comprehensive income for the year 16,624,790 16,624,790
Balance at 30 June 2009 52,323,087 52,323,087
Surplus for the year 32,209 32,209
Total comprehensive income for the year 32,209 32,209
Balance at 30 June 2010 52,355,296 52,355,296
Discussion and analysis of the consolidated Statement of Changes in EquityThere were no significant changes to the equity position of the RSPCA during 2009/10. The composition of the components of equity did not change nor were there any changes in the capital structure of the organisation.
55
Cleo and Jackie are an inseparable pair from the RSPCA Education team. Sadly, as younger sheep, both Cleo and Jackie were abandoned by their owners. Our Inspectors knew from the moment they rescued Cleo and Jackie that their friendly natures would make them perfect ambassadors for the RSPCA. These days, this duo love nothing more than being hand-fed by children visiting the RSPCA barn!
56
RSPCA (Victoria) & Foundation RSPCA (Victoria)
2010 $ 2009 $ 2010 $ 2009 $
Cash flows from operating activities
Receipts from customers and others 19,022,955 24,849,998 18,739,501 24,837,481
Bequests received 7,981,529 14,353,416 7,981,529 13,791,050
Distribution/grants from RSPCA Foundation - - 378,933 422,238
Payments to suppliers and employees (28,851,326) (28,708,455) (28,816,882) (28,518,521)
Dividends received 794,960 568,852 390,147 110,910
Interest received 873,747 983,194 865,183 964,808
Interest and other costs of finance paid (67,288) (357,599) (67,288) (357,599)
Net cash (used in)/generated by operating activities (245,423) 11,689,406 (528,877) 11,250,367
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from disposal of land 5,200,000 4,000,000 5,200,000 4,000,000
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant & equipment 28,897 809,419 28,897 809,419
Payments for property, plant & equipment (2,116,759) (2,549,495) (2,116,759) (2,549,495)
Proceeds from sale of investments 734,235 8,700 338,608 8,700
Payments for investments (1,244,288) (179,771) (186,003) (97,327)
Purchase of term deposits (periods greater than three months) (4,908,827) (13,554,928) (4,908,827) (13,554,928)
Net cash used in investing activities (2,306,742) (11,466,075) (1,644,084) (11,383,631)
Cash flows from financing activities
Bank bill facility repayments (4,160,883) (3,400,000) (4,160,883) (3,400,000)
Business loan repayment (114,000) - (114,000) -
Finance lease repayments (250,063) (2,425) (250,063) (2,425)
Net cash used in financing activities (4,524,946) (3,402,425) (4,524,946) (3,402,425)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (7,077,111) (3,179,094) (6,697,907) (3,535,689)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 8,541,933 11,721,027 7,889,611 11,425,300
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 1,464,822 8,541,933 1,191,704 7,889,611
Discussion and analysis of the consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Cash flow from operating activities reduced significantly in 2009/10 from 2008/09. Principal factors in this reduction included:• A large reduction in cash received from bequests, although
bequest cash flow was still higher than the long term average;• A reduction in funds received from the RSPCA Bushfire Appeal
as the appeal closed,• A reduction in interest revenue and interest expense as funds
on deposit were used to pay out a bank facility used in site redevelopment.
Cash flow from investing and financing activities was primarily impacted by the receipt of funds from the sale of property at Doreen. This transaction was a completion of the sale of land received under the Johnson estate. The final receipt of funds for this property was received one year earlier than anticipated. Part of the funds received was used to extinguish the bank facility mentioned in the previous paragraph.
The mortgage on the RSPCA Op Shop at Castlemaine was paid out during the year leaving the RSPCA with no debt on property and an additional block of land adjacent to the Bendigo Shelter was purchased to allow future growth at RSPCA Bendigo.
In 2009/10 the RSPCA elected to finance its vehicle fleet under new finance lease arrangements, supplanting the previous arrangements for operating leases. This change, designed to reduce the cost of operating the fleet, resulted in the recognition of vehicles as assets and the leases as liabilities with the reclassification of vehicle finance lease repayments from cash flow from operating activities to cash flow from financing activities.
57
1. Basis of preparation
The concise financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 and Accounting Standard AASB 1039 Concise Financial Reports. The concise financial statements are an extract from the full financial statements. The concise financial statements and specific disclosures included in the concise financial statements have been derived from the full financial statements of the RSPCA. All amounts are presented in Australian dollars.
2. Adoption of new and revised Accounting Standards
2.1 Standards and Interpretations not affecting amounts reported in the current period (and/or prior periods)
The following new and revised Standards and Interpretations have been adopted in the current period and have not affected the amounts reported in these financial statements.
2.2 Standards and Interpretations in issue not yet adopted
At the date of authorisation of the financial statements, the Standards and Interpretations listed below were in issue but not yet effective. Only standards relevant to RSPCA have been listed below.
2.3 Early adoption of Accounting Standards
Standards not affecting presentation and disclosure
AASB 101 Presentation of Financial Statements (as revised in September 2007), AASB 2007-8 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards arising from AASB 101 and AASB 2007-10 Further Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards arising from AASB 101.
AASB 101(September 2007) has introduced terminology changes (including revised titles for the financial statements) and changes in the format and content of the financial statements.
Standard/InterpretationEffective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after
Expected to be initially applied in the financial year ending
AASB 124 Related Party Disclosures (revised December 2009), AASB 2009-12 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards.
1 January 2011 30 June 2012
AASB 9 Financial Instruments, AASB 2009-11 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards arising from AASB 9.
1 January 2013 30 June 2014
The directors have elected under s.334 of the Corporations Act 2001 to apply AASB 1053 Application of Tiers of Australian Accounting Standards and AASB 2010-2 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards arising from Reduced Disclosure Requirements to implement its revised differential reporting regime in advance of their effective dates. The Standards are not required to be applied until annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 July 2013.
The directors have also elected under s.341(1) of the Corporations Act 2001 to apply ASIC Class Order [CO 10/654] Inclusion of parent entity financial statement in the financial reports.
3. Approval of financial statements
The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 21 September 2010.
4. Events after the reporting period
There are no significant events subsequent to reporting date up to the date at which the financial statements were issued.
58
Early this year, RSPCA Inspectors arrived at a run down suburban factory following a cruelty complaint. Two young Kelpies, both extremely emaciated and neglected had been abandoned in the dark filthy factory and left to fend for themselves.
Their ribs, spine and pelvic bones were clearly visible and as a result, both dogs were in serious need of veterinary treatment and care. Inspectors rushed the dogs to the RSPCA and both were found to be severely dehydrated, suffering from hair loss and badly overgrown nails. However after two months of intensive care and treatment, Sarah and Germaine have now been adopted and are enjoying their wonderful new lives. Thanks to generous donations and community support, they have been given a second chance and have left their old lives behind.
Burwood East3 Burwood Highway, Burwood East 3151P 03 9224 2222
Ballarat115 Gillies Street South, Ballarat 3350P 03 5334 2075
Bendigo20 Pipers Lane, Bendigo East 3550P 03 5441 2209
Castlemaine24 Langslow Street, Castlemaine 3450P 03 5472 5277
Epping355 O’Hearns Road, Epping 3076P 03 9408 7356
Peninsula1030 Robinsons Road, Pearcedale 3912P 03 5978 6706
Portland185 Darts Road, Portland 3305P 03 5523 4690
Sale11 Hunt Place, Wurruk, Sale 3853P 03 5143 2255
Wangaratta1 Connell Street, Wangaratta 3677P 03 5722 2874
Warrnambool23 Braithwaite Street, Warrnambool 3280P 03 5561 2591
If you are considering adopting an animal, please visit your local RSPCA or view our animals available for adoption at www.rspcavic.org.
RSPCA Victoria
On 12 January 2010, we were deeply saddened at the passing of Barbara Horn, a truly inspirational and caring woman who was such an integral part of our organisation.
Words cannot adequately express the gratitude we have for the wonderful contribution Barbara has made to RSPCA Victoria. Barbara had been a Board member of RSPCA Victoria since 1986, also serving as Vice President and Deputy Chair. Her passion and commitment to animal welfare were well known and her voluntary contributions in support of animal welfare will be her legacy for generations to come.
Created by U-bahn design. Photography by James Walshe.
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