Photo: JO O’DOWD
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THE Nowra branch of the RSPCA is desperate for an injection of new helpers, having had its membership dwindle to a meagre five volunteers.
“It’s a pretty sad state of affairs,” volunteer Gale Bishop said.
The branch raises money for the West Nowra animal shelter, so the creatures in its care can be fed and looked after.
The money the branch raises goes to myriad obligations including fencing, pens and hutches, bedding, treats, desexing, microchipping and veterinary bills.
“Say a dog comes in and has medical problems, well we spend the money to have it fixed up,” Ms Bishop said.
Even something as basic as bedding can add up over time.
“We bought 34 cat beds last year,” she said.
Ms Bishop said while the lack of volunteers would not mean animals would be euthanized, the situation was dire.
“A lot of people think if we can’t re-home animals they are euthanized,” she said.
However she said this wasn’t the case, with animals moved to other parts of the state if finding them a home in this area was unsuccessful.
What it does mean is that fund-raising events, like the RSPCA’s Million Paws Walk can’t be held locally.
“We put that on, but we didn’t do it this year – we just didn’t have the numbers and it takes a lot of organising,” Ms Bishop said.
She said members were reaching their limit.
“We’re just exhausted; we’re all tired,” she said.
“We’ve been doing this for years.”
Ms Bishop said to get involved people could phone 0427 013 177 or email nowrabranch@rspcansw.org.au
The branch holds a monthly meeting on the third Wednesday of the month at the Nowra Youth Centre.
“Even if someone can’t come to the meeting, if they were prepared to put the time into running our stall, or the Million Paws Walk or whatever event we are having at the time, that would be wonderful,” Ms Bishop said.