ANIMAL WELFARE RESPONSE UNIT

Made possible by a generous grant from the TG & JM Matthews Foundation, this vehicle is a multi-purpose command centre.

We foresee this vehicle will be used by RSPCA Animal Cruelty Inspectors for large seizures or surrenders, as well as taken to evacuation grounds, in times of emergencies.

Animal Welfare Response Unit Deployment Plan

The state-of-the-art mobile command centre forms the backbone in our emergency response infrastructure.

After the Dunnalley fires in 2013, RSPCA Tasmania defined a role for a vehicle and crew in supporting good animal welfare outcomes in emergency planning.

The RSPCA Tasmania team, including the Inspectorate, will be better equipped to immediately respond to calls for help with the acquisition of emergency communication equipment including disaster PPE and other vital equipment.

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We are working with the SES to ensure that our planning and processes are appropriate and clear.

We have engaged a group of volunteer drivers in each area of the state and will draw on the expertise within our team to provide support on the ground.

Use of this vehicle in an emergency is an experience we hope never comes a reality but with a drying climate on one of the driest countries on the planet, we fear will be using this vehicle to help support people fleeing fire, in the not-too-distant future.

“This mobile unit will provide more communities and their animals with immediate care on the ground when they need it the most.” said Jan Davis, RSPCA CEO.

We are also in planning to use the vehicle in a pilot cat trapping program. We will have more details to come as the project and its evaluation are completed.

We are looking for general animal care volunteers, those with expertise in emergency management, people who have worked as volunteer firefighters (for their understanding on emergency processes) and for volunteer drivers.