Media releases

RSPCA South Australia has begun recruitment for a new CEO following current CEO Paul Stevenson’s announcement that he will be retiring early next year. Mr Stevenson’s last day in the role will be Friday 10 February 2023.

Mr Stevenson has led the organisation through significant changes during his six years at the helm. He said he felt it was the right time to step down to enable a new leader to build and deliver on the organisation’s next five-year strategic plan.

“It has truly been an enormous honour and privilege to lead this organisation,” Mr Stevenson said.

“There is still much work to do in preparing to move to the new Animal Care Campus at O’Halloran Hill, so this will be a very exciting time to step in and lead RSPCA into its next chapter, just ahead of its 150th anniversary in 2025.”

RSPCA SA President Rob DiMonte paid tribute to Mr Stevenson, describing him as an outstanding leader who had steered the organisation through difficult times while also driving initiatives to improve animal welfare in South Australia. These have included:

• Developed the RSPCA SA Cat Management Plan for SA which will inform upcoming amendments to SA’s Dog and Cat Management Act
• Overseeing the organisation’s animal rescue and recovery response to the 2020 bushfires, and being part of the State Government’s Bushfire Response and Recovery Taskforce established to improve prevention strategies and future responses
• Implemented strategies to increase the number of animals rehomed and reunited with their owners from 70 per cent to 90 per cent.
• Helping achieve improved legal protection of animals, including the end to jumps racing in SA last year, a proposed ban on the use of bows and arrows to hunt animals that is currently before parliament and the upcoming tightening of laws around the breeding of dogs and cats to stop low welfare breeders
• Overseeing the response to the Covid pandemic that resulted in severe shortages of staff and volunteers to care for animals
• Leading implementation of a five-year strategic plan that includes significantly increasing the number of animals in foster care rather than inside shelters, to improve welfare outcomes
• Overseeing the expansion of RSPCA SA’s Op shop network from four stores in 2017 to the current 13 stores

“Paul has been the leader we needed these past six years to drive us forward as community expectations around animal welfare and protection, and our scientific understanding of animal sentience, evolve,” Mr DiMonte said.

“He leaves us in great shape for the next CEO who will lead our dedicated staff and volunteers through the move in 2024 to the new Animal Care Campus, incorporating the best animal care facilities in Australia.

“This includes South Australia’s first dedicated wildlife hospital, as well as an education hub that will help lift animal welfare standards within our community.”

On behalf of all the animals and the humans of RSPCA South Australia, thank you Paul.