Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, left, RSPCA NSW Chief Inspector Scott Meyers, RSPCA NSW CEO Steve Coleman and NSW Police Force State Rural Crime Co-ordinator Detective Inspector Cameron Whiteside launched the new RSPCA Animal Welfare Response unit yesterday in Armidale.
Wednesday, 30 September 2020
THE latest tool in the protection of animals across NSW has rolled into Armidale, with Northern Tablelands MP and Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall and RSPCA NSW CEO Steve Coleman yesterday launching the new state-of-the-art Animal Welfare Response Unit.
Mr Marshall said the $250,000 state-of-the-art mobile command centre was the first of a fleet of vehicles which would be on the road and attending animal related incidents across the state.
“This vehicle allows RSPCA NSW compliance and veterinary staff to be the first responders to any event involving the welfare of animals,” Mr Marshall said.
“Equipped with animal protection equipment, latest communication technology and shower and toilet facilities, it is an animal protection base on wheels, able to be deployed to any operation.
“The vehicle also has the capability to provide immediate triage to injured animals on the ground, but it is not intended to be a mobile vet clinic.
“The unit is available to cover all of NSW, travelling where it is needed; a natural disaster or a large scale animal seizure, community education activities or large-scale compliance operations with NSW Police.
“Alongside this unit, RSPCA has also acquired two animal transport trailers, to carry injured animals, and two community outreach vehicles, which will provide immediate animal welfare assistance and education across the state.”
Mr Marshall said people could expect to see the vehicle regularly in the region as the RSPCA and NSW Police, supported by the State Government, stepped up their monitoring and compliance activities, especially stamping out rogue and illegal commercial puppy breeders.
“We’ve seen one big operation carried by the RSPCA and NSW Police just a matter of weeks ago in our region and sadly, there are still more illegal operators out there.
“The message is that if you are a commercial breeder and don’t have regard to animal welfare laws, you will be caught, shut down and face the full force of the law.
“This new vehicle is going to be a major boost to both the RSPCA and NSW Police in their joint investigations into this sort of illegal activity in our region and across the State.”
The Animal Welfare Response Unit was procured from the RSPCA NSW Bushfire Appeal, is part our $2.6 million investment in emergency response infrastructure.
RSPCA NSW CEO Steve Coleman said the rollout of the RSPCA NSW Animal Welfare Response Unit allowed RSPCA to provide more communities, and their animals, with immediate care when they needed it the most
“Helping animals in need is the reason RSPCA NSW was founded over 147 years ago and this vehicle puts us in a stronger position to be on the ground and help manage future disasters,” Mr Coleman said.
“The vehicle will also play a role in RSPCA NSW’s community outreach and education programs, visiting schools and community groups, attending public events and offering a high presence in the places we visit.”