No. The increase in funding is only for the costs associated with enforcing the Animal Welfare Act 2002. Until now, RSPCA WA has been topping up the amount to enforce the Act by millions of dollars each year. That’s like the police using donations to help enforce the law. 

This new funding arrangement addresses that and will cover all costs associated with operating our inspectorate, as well as around 50 per cent towards the care of animals that come to RSPCA WA through our enforcement work. 

We still rely on donations for the other 50 per cent of what it costs to care for those animals, and 100 per cent of care costs for animals who come to us via non-inspectorate surrender, as strays or by other means. 

Donations are also needed to meet the growing demand for our community outreach work. This includes helping keep pets and their struggling owners together through programs like our Community Action Days where we provide free health checks, pet food, flea treatments, microchipping, education, and other needs to over 1,000 pet owners a year.  

Generous contributions from donors, fundraisers and people who leave us a gift in their Will also help fund other critical services like vaccination drives and education programs in schools as well as advocacy for improvements to the Animal Welfare Act, which was last updated in 2002, and better treatment of all animals.