Lynne Bradshaw, AM Chair, RSPCA WA 2004 - Present Expand Lynne is the current Chair of RSPCA WA and a former President of RSPCA Australia. In 2018 she was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia medal for services to animal welfare and business. An experienced Director with a proven track record at Board level, Lynne is a strong advocate to Government and industry for improvements to live export, intensive farming and irresponsible dog breeding. Lynne’s career in life sciences spans 30 years, having held senior leadership positions in public and private entities as well as consulting on business growth strategies and medical device commercialisation. Lynne has owned and operated her own businesses, developing these from start-up, or through acquisition and merger to eventual sale or public listing. Lynne is currently the proprietor of a medical technology consultancy. Lynne is passionate about engaging the community in consumer led demand for humane food products thereby providing producers the opportunity to adapt to changing requirements.
I need help paying vet bills Expand RSPCA WA is not able to provide financial assistance to members of the public for vet bills. The organisations listed below offer payment plans, discounted vet services, or other options for pet owners who might be experiencing financial difficulty. Please note: RSPCA WA is only licensed to perform veterinary services for animals in our care, or those recently adopted from us who require ongoing vet treatment. If you are in need of financial assistance for veterinary care for your pet, please consider these options: If you are on Centrelink or a pension, please contact: Centrelink/Centrepay: Ask them if they can assist with your bills. VetPay: Call 1300 657 984 for payment plan assistance Perth Vet Bill Assistance will cover costs if you are approved if you are found to be ineligible for VetPay. If you are NOT on Centrelink or a pension, please contact: VetPay: Call 1300 657 984 for payment plan assistance PetStock Vets: Payment options by AfterPay/ZipPay. Clinics located in Brighton, Midland, Cannington and Bunbury. If you require URGENT veterinary assistance, please contact PetStock Vets in the first instance. If you have exhausted all options and have no means of obtaining the funds required for emergency vet care, please contact the RSPCA Cruelty Hotline on 1300 278 358 to arrange surrender of your pet into RSPCA's care. If you cannot get to the vet If you cannot get your pet to the vet, please contact a mobile vet service. Here are some mobile vet services operating in the Perth metropolitan area: Animal Happiness Vet: (08) 6355 5177. Offers discounts for pension card holders. Farewell My Friend: 0428 852 340 (in-home euthanasia service) Metro Mobile Vet: 0434 882 772 Offers discounts for pension card holders, seniors and students. Pawssum Vet: 1300 34 35 80 Perth Mobile Vet: 0402 301 562 Vet At Home: 0416 724 140 Perth Vet Care: 0401 860 444 (in-home euthanasia service) Offers discounts for pension card holders. * Please note, RSPCA WA does not accredit or endorse the businesses listed on this page. These business details are provided as information only.
Ian Cowie PSM Director. Ian is the Chief Executive Officer of the City of Gosnells, a position he has held since 2009. Expand Previously, he was the Director of Governance and Strategy at the City of Joondalup for three years and a Director at the Department of Local Government for over 10 years, where he represented Western Australia on the Commonwealth Government’s National Consultative Committee on Animal Welfare and participated in the development of Australia’s first National Animal Welfare Strategy. Ian was also responsible for the development and implementation of Western Australia’s current Animal Welfare Act 2002. Ian holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree with first class honours from the University of Western Australia and a Masters Degree in Economics from the London School of Economics. In June 2014, Ian received the Public Service Medal in the Queen's Birthday Honours, for his outstanding public service, particularly to the City of Gosnells.
Michelle De Ronchi Director. Michelle is an experienced leadership executive across varied sectors. Expand Michelle has over 20 years’ executive leadership experience in the health, aged care and training sectors. She is currently the CEO of Oryx Communities, a West Australian owned aged care provider. A committed advocate for issues around ageing positively and planning for an ageing population, Michelle served as a Federal Board Director of the national peak body Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) and a Committee Member of the LASA Admissions and Governance Committee, Human Resources Working Group and Finance, Audit and Risk Committee for several years. As an avid animal lover, Michelle shares her home with two dogs, three cats and her partner. She believes in the ‘adopt, don't shop’ motto and that community engagement and education are key to effecting positive change in animal welfare, as well as tougher penalties for animal cruelty.
Jamie Hamilton Director. Jamie is currently Lead Partner of Deloitte's Strategy and Operations Practice in Perth. Expand Jamie has over 25 years of professional experience covering management consulting, corporate finance and audit disciplines, including five years in industry. During his time in professional services, Jamie has managed large scale, complex projects, and managed teams on consulting and corporate finance engagements in Australia, Japan, South East Asia, Zambia and Mongolia, with significant experience in the Western Australian energy, utilities and resources (mining and oil and gas) sectors. Jamie is experienced at dealing with boards and executives, and has served as a listed public company Director. He has a Bachelor of Commerce (UWA), a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance and Investment (FINSIA), and is a Chartered Accountant—Member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and is also a current member of the RSPCA WA Audit & Risk Committee.
Alice Manners Director. Alice is a senior executive with 25 years’ experience working across Asia Pacific in a range of C-suite leadership roles. Expand She has experience in business innovation and transformation in the fields of digital, marketing and customer experience. From 1998 to 2013 Alice was based in Singapore where she held several Asia Pacific roles with WPP, a global leader in marketing services. From 2013-2016 she was the CEO of the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) Australia. The IAB is the peak trade association for the digital economy with over 45 IABs across the globe. In February 2017 she was a selected participant in the Australian Institute of Company Directors pipeline programme for executive women. Alice is currently General Manager, Customer at Brightwater Care Group. In 2014 and 2015 Alice was voted one of Australia’s Top 30 Women in Media in B&T’s Awards. She has a Masters of Psychology from the University of Sydney and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).
What kind of pets can enter the Pets in Crisis program? Expand We have the resources to take in domestic pets such as dogs, cats, and pocket pets (rabbits, mice etc.) however we are unable to accept larger animals such as horses or livestock.
How much does the Pets in Crisis program cost? Expand The service is free – it’s funded by the WA Government and RSPCA WA. The only cost involved is vet treatment to get pets up-to-date with the minimum requirements needed to be enrolled in the program (sterilisation, vaccinations, microchipping, flea and worm treatments). All vet work is undertaken by Vetwest, who are generously supporting the Pets in Crisis program by offering significantly discounted veterinary services. Payment plans can be put in place to cover these costs.
How long can pets stay in the RSPCA's care? Expand The maximum foster care placement available under the Pets in Crisis program is 3 months.
I have more than one pet. How many can you take? Expand Providing your pets meet the enrolment criteria, we should be able to take them all. We will do our best to find a foster home where they can stay together, but if you have many pets, we may need to split them up across several foster homes.
What is the enrolment criteria for Pets in Crisis? Expand We prefer that animals entering the program are sterilised, micro-chipped, vaccinated, and are flea and worm treated to protect the foster carer’s own pets while your pet is living with them. However, if they are not already, we will arrange this with Vetwest when your pet comes into the program. For safety reasons we cannot accept aggressive animals.
Why is there such an in-depth questionnaire for dogs over 10kg? Expand We have a duty of care to our foster carers to ensure the animal we place into their home is not a known risk to their safety and well-being. Because the dogs we take in are not being kept in a controlled environment (a shelter, kennels), we must undertake a thorough assessment to determine their risk potential to the people and pets in the home where they will be staying. While all dogs are capable of causing harm to people, this capability increases significantly with the size and weight of the dog. As a safety precaution, we need to know more about the bigger dogs to determine whether they are appropriate to go into an unfamiliar home with people they have never met. Aggressive dogs will not be accepted into the program for the safety of the foster carer, their family and pets. Please answer the questionnaire as truthfully as you can. If your dog is not suitable for the Pets in Crisis program, we may be able to help with some other options.
Can I take my pet into the shelter with me? Expand We are currently working with some of the shelters in Perth to organise on-site temporary accommodation facilities for animals. Ask your case worker to find out which shelters currently have emergency pet boarding facilities.
If I give you permission, can you go to my property and collect my pet without me being there? Expand Animals are classed as property under law so you will need to be present when we collect your pet, even if you have given us verbal permission to take them. If you are worried about going back to the property we can organise a Police escort to accompany you. Once your pet is out of the house, you can hand your pet over to us and the Police will ensure you get away from the property safely.
My pet is not registered in my name. Can I still enrol them into the program? Expand As pets are classed as property under WA law, we can only take them with the registered owner’s consent. Unfortunately, if your pet is registered in someone else’s name, we will not be able to take them. If your pet isn’t registered or micro-chipped at all (there is no registered owner), we can get this done in your name on your behalf.
What do I need to give you when you collect my pet for foster care? Expand Your pet will settle into their foster home more easily if they have some home comforts with them - like their bed, a favourite toy, and their regular food (as switching pet food suddenly is not ideal). If you can’t provide any of their belongings, don’t worry – we can provide the foster carer with everything your pet will need while in their care.
My pet has been abused by the perpetrator. Can the RSPCA prosecute them? Expand If you have evidence of the abuse then we can support you in lodging a cruelty complaint to the RSPCA’s Cruelty Hotline. This will then be assigned to one of our Inspectors to investigate, like the many other reports they respond to daily. Evidence of cruelty (vet reports, video footage, external witnesses, etc.) is critical in order to successfully prosecute those who carry out acts of cruelty or neglect towards animals.
I have already left and had to leave my pet behind. How can I get them out of the house and into the program? Expand Ask your case worker for the forms, complete them, and email them directly to our Pets in Crisis team: [email protected]. If it is safe for them to do so, ask a friend or family member to go to the house to collect your pet. If it is not safe, your case worker can arrange a police escort to accompany you or a friend/family member. When your pet has been collected from the house, they can then be handed over into our care. Unfortunately our Pets in Crisis team cannot go to the house and take your pet as we have no legal right to do so.
Will I be able to visit my pet while it's in foster care? Expand For the safety of all involved, pet owners and foster carers will remain anonymous to each other at all times both during and after the program. All contact passes through the Pets in Crisis team – the foster carer will provide us with updates and photos of your pet that we will share with you, and if there is information you would like to share with the foster carer, you can tell us and we will pass the message on for you.
When can I get my pet back? Expand As soon as you’re ready to get your pet back we will organise its return to you. It generally takes a couple of days to coordinate your pet’s return from the foster carer, to our Pets in Crisis team, and back to you. This can work out well as it gives you time to settle into your new accommodation and allows you to pet-proof the property before your pet arrives. You are the legal owner of your pet at all times and can request to get them back whenever you want. We have no authority to keep your pets against your will, even if your circumstances or plans change.
I'm not sure if I can take care of my pet in future. What should I do? Expand RSPCA WA offers a surrender service for pet owners who can no longer take care of their animals. If you would like to surrender your pet for rehoming through the RSPCA, you can discuss this with our Pets in Crisis team.
Animal Welfare Legislation in WA RSPCA WA continues to work with the WA Government to improve animal welfare regulations and animal welfare legislation, to improve the lives of animals in the state. Expand 1892 New Police Act includes animal protection laws for "... any beast, bird, reptile, fish, or other living creature, or any egg or spawn thereof.", and "... any native or acclimatised animals or birds which may be on any park or public road or reserve...". The first legislation is adopted to protect sea lions and other pinipeds from slaughter for pelts. 1912 First Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act adopted by Parliament. 1920 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1920 - maximum penalty for an offence was $200 and one year imprisonment. Powers of inspection and prosecution were conferred upon officers appointed by The Society and special constables appointed by the Court. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Kalgoorlie was also named in the Act, but has since closed. (RSPCA WA once again has an Inspector in Kalgoorlie.) 1976 The Dog Act (WA) introduced to amend and consolidate the law relating to the control and registration of dog ownership. 2002 Animal Welfare Act 2002 replaced the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1920. The maximum penalty increased to $50,000 and two years imprisonment for individuals, and $250,000 for corporations. 2011 Cat Act 2011 came into full effect 1 November 2013, and includes compulsory microchipping, registration and sterlisation. 2019 RSPCA WA worked with the WA Government to promote public submissions to amendments to the Dog Act and Cat Act, and into Draft Standards and Guidelines for the Health and Welfare of Dogs in WA. RSPCA WA has also made a submission to the review of the Animal Welfare Act 2002.