AN early glance at the RSPCA ACT’s 2014 statistics has shown that it was a very good year for animal outcomes in the ACT with the overall adoption count for all domestic animals up by more than 20% compared with the previous year.

Within these animal welfare statistics, the most noticeable change was in the number of inspector-seized animals which jumped from 50 animals in the previous year to 277 in 2014, a 454% increase. Part of this high number can be attributed to the over 100 animals seized in a hoarding case from a single home in the Belconnen area in July.

“Our inspectors have been flat out pursuing 20 prosecution cases and responding to hundreds of animal cruelty complaints each month,” said RSPCA ACT Chief Executive Tammy Ven Dange. “One of my biggest fears right now is the fact that we cannot keep up with the complaints.” The organisation has reportedly budgeted to hire additional inspectors to help with the workload. However, while advertising these vacancies for months they have not found the right individuals to fill these roles yet.

Despite the resource constraints, RSPCA ACT is continuing its fight against cruelty to animals. Ms Ven Dange stated, “We have been refocusing our attention on the areas truer to our mission statement. Our inspector-led statistics should reflect this as we reconsider the services we provide in the future.”