Pet owners taking the lead

Published on 09 November 2016

Pet owners across the Rockhampton Region are definitely taking the lead when it comes to microchipping and desexing their pets thanks to Rockhampton Regional Council’s Pets in the Park and their support of RSPCA’s Operation Wanted.

Council’s Planning and Regulatory Committee Chair Councillor Ellen Smith said she was delighted pet owners were being responsible and doing the right thing for their pets.

“We were thrilled recently with the number of pet owners who came down to Council’s Pets in the Park to have their animals microchipped. A total of 228 dogs and cats were microchipped and a further 41 microchipping vouchers issued, which was a tremendous effort by our pet owners,” Cr Smith said.

“In August, we teamed up with local vet Capricorn Vet Clinic and the RSPCA for their annual Operation Wanted campaign where a further 283 animals were desexed, which again was a great outcome.

“It really shows that our pet owners are taking responsibility and care of their animals. However, we must continue to get the message across about the importance of microchipping, desexing and registering pets so that stray animals can be returned to their owners as soon as possible and not end up at the pound.”

Today, Cr Smith and Council made a donation from the recent Pets in the Park to the RSPCA so they can continue their work on desexing with the aim of reducing unwanted animals across the region.  

“It’s imperative that we continue to work with local animal welfare organisations for the best outcome for animals and owners across our region, so we’ve donated $1345 or $5 from every animal microchipped at Pets in the Park, so the RSPCA can continue the vital work they do with animals,” Cr Smith said.

RSPCA Rockhampton’s manager Paul Hagen said the donation will go a long way in helping with vet costs especially with the influx of animals received around this time of year before and after Christmas.

“I would also like to thank our local council for supporting RSPCA QLD Operation Wanted for the past two years; it has been greatly appreciated,” Paul said.

Pets in the Park microchipping  

Image: Steve Gatt from Council, Paul Hagen from RSPCA, Cr Ellen Smith, Dr Jenna Ricards (BVSc) from Capricorn Vet Clinic, Melanie Dansie from Council, Dr Sallyanne Olsen (BVSc) from Capricorn Vet Clinic and Clare Gordon from the RSPCA – all involved in this year’s Pets in the Park and Operation Wanted which were a great success.