Media releases

Heartwarming success of fundraising campaign reflects our kind community

With one day still to go in a five-day campaign to raise $500K to help RSPCA South Australia relocate to its new animal care campus, the charity is already celebrating the achievement of that goal.

More than 1500 individuals and businesses have dug deep to contribute to the final stages of the $28m build at O’Halloran Hill, and by this morning $208K had been raised, thanks in part to dollar matching partners who came onboard yesterday.

Now animal loving philanthropist and Adelaide resident Carole Stone has joined the campaign and donated the full $500K. RSPCA SA CEO Marcus Gehrig described the response to the organisation’s On the Move campaign as testament to the kindness and compassion throughout the SA community.

“If anyone needs further proof of how high a priority animals and their welfare is for South Australians, it’s here in the incredible result of this campaign,” Mr Gehrig said.

“Even in these tough economic times, we’ve had people from all walks of life and from right across the state show the love for animals that unites us all, and every single one of their big-hearted donations is going to make a real difference to animals’ lives.

“On behalf of our staff, volunteers and the animals in our care today and in the years ahead, we say a huge thank you to Ms Stone and to every other person and business whose kind and generous gift is paving the way from our rundown old shelter to this superb new facility.

“We can’t wait to welcome our community inside so people can see for themselves what their kind gifts have meant for animals as they settle into accommodation designed solely to maximise their comfort and wellbeing and receive any veterinary care and behavioural support they might need before finding new homes.”

The relocation of animals from the Lonsdale shelter to the new animal care campus begins on Monday 29 April, and the campus will open to the public in early May.