Media releases

RSPCA South Australia, the state’s leading animal welfare group, has released its plan to create a new state-of-the-art Animal Care Campus in Adelaide’s south, moving its Lonsdale shelter and Stepney office into one location and adding further services to its operations.

With its Lonsdale shelter the most out-dated RSPCA facility in Australia and not suited for redevelopment, the not-for-profit’s vision is to develop a purpose-built animal care campus where new care, education and training programs and facilities can be introduced to prevent cruelty to animals.

RSPCA South Australia Chief Executive Officer, Paul Stevenson, says the project is in its early stages with consultation and planning still underway. It is expected to require an investment of approximately $20 million.

“It’s important to point out that while it’s still early days for this project and no decisions have been made, we would like to share our vision with the community because we need South Australia’s support to make it a reality,” said Mr Stevenson.

“As part of our vision we’re planning to provide improved veterinary care, introduce vocational community training and open an education centre to host school children and offer interactive animal experiences that will educate and empower the community to reduce animal suffering.” 

Mr Stevenson said RSPCA South Australia would fund half of the $20million project cost and was seeking $10million from the State Government, and if needed, RSPCA’s supporters.

“RSPCA South Australia has been providing services to the community for more than 142 years and has never received financial support from the Government for significant capital works,” he said

“Our facilities are now the most out-dated of any of the major RSPCA societies in Australia and we’re seeking support to change that.

“Unfortunately we continue to see the need for our work every day – in the past financial year our team responded to more than 4,200 reports of animal cruelty, most of which were caused by people not understanding animal needs and therefore highlighting the need for more education. We also re-homed more than 4,300 animals during the same time.”

Mr Stevenson said the not-for-profit would like to create the animal care campus in southern Adelaide, and had identified the area of O’Halloran Hill as an opportune location.

“We’ve enjoyed tremendous support from the southern community and many of our 2000 volunteers come from the region. While there are many elements still to be determined, we believe this proposal to deliver a new model of animal care has great potential for the area.

 “The new Animal Care Campus will allow us to provide the best possible care for neglected and abused animals, and the planned community-based training and education programs will reach more South Australians, helping to prevent animal suffering before it occurs.”

Members of the public are encouraged to have their say via RSPCA South Australia’s website: www.rspcasa.org.au/newdirection