Animals receive care under new agreement

Animals rescued by the RSPCA are receiving treatment from qualified veterinary staff at the University of Adelaide.
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Friday, 23 March 2012

Animals rescued and seized by the RSPCA are receiving treatment from qualified veterinary staff at the University of Adelaide's Roseworthy Campus thanks to an agreement between the two institutions.

In a positive step forward for animal welfare in the State, the RSPCA and the Companion Animal Health Centre (CAHC) - part of the University's School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences - have been working together for the past nine months to provide a high standard of care to neglected animals.

Over that time, the Companion Animal Health Centre has treated and assessed more than 70 animals for the RSPCA, including animals that have been rescued from cruel treatment and neglect.

"This collaborative relationship is resulting in quality veterinary treatment being provided to surrendered, seized and rescued animals in state-of-the-art facilities by qualified veterinarians at the University's Roseworthy Campus," says RSPCA SA Chief Executive Officer Neale Sutton.

"The arrangement supports and complements existing RSPCA services and will also help to educate future veterinarians in an ethically responsible environment. It is delivering positive animal welfare outcomes and enhancing educational opportunities within a culture of best practice.

"With the increasing incidence of animal cruelty reports in the northern suburbs, this relationship is vital in ensuring animals of all species that need our assistance receive timely, high-quality care and treatment," Mr Sutton says.

Professor Kym Abbott, Head of the School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences, says the partnership will also create veterinary student placement opportunities at the RSPCA and could lead to other mutually beneficial arrangements.

"In the future, a new agreement with RSPCA will enable fifth-year students, under the close supervision of qualified staff, to perform de-sexing procedures on dogs and cats that come from RSPCA shelters. These animals will be found new, caring owners after surgery.

"This will not only benefit the training of future generations of vets in South Australia, it will also provide significant benefits to the community by preventing the breeding of unwanted animals."

Professor Abbott says the Vet School fully supports the aims of the RSPCA. "We actively promote the ethical care and protection of all animals, from pets to livestock animals," he says.

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