COVID-19, RSPCA operations and caring for your pets

While the outbreak of novel coronavirus disease COVID-19 is having an impact on many aspects of our lives, sadly, animal cruelty has not stopped.

The health and safety of our staff, volunteers, and the people with whom we interact is our main concern at this time. We are closely monitoring the situation to minimise the risk to our people and the impact on animals.

We will still need your support to help fight cruelty: We still need to keep inspectors on the roads; we still need to provide medical treatment and care for animals suffering cruelty and neglect; and we still need to provide care and shelter for animals in need.

We have prepared the following information to help you understand how RSPCA WA will remain operational to continue to provide animal protection services to the community, and continue to treat the animals in our care.

As things change, we may need to adjust our operations. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates.

Follow these links to the information you are looking for:

Inspectorate

The RSPCA WA Cruelty Hotline remains open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to take your calls about legitimate, urgent animal cruelty and animal welfare concerns in your community. Call 1300 278 358 to make a report, or you can make a report online.

RSPCA Inspectors will follow-up on cases based on priority as long as it remains safe to do so.

Inspectors are already equipped with specialist tools to enable them to carry out their important work, and biosecurity management forms part of their training. They will be relying on this training to keep you, your animals and themselves safe.

Please do not be offended if Inspectors do not shake your hand when introducing themselves. This is one of the common sense measures they are taking to protect your health and theirs.

If you have concerns about lost or stray animals, or nuisance cats and dogs, please contact your local government rangers. These matters do not fall under the Animal Welfare Act 2002 and as such, RSPCA WA is unable to respond to these types of calls.

Adoptions

*** UPDATE: 22 MARCH 2021 - Adoption appointments are no longer required ***

Protecting the health and wellbeing of our visitors, staff and volunteers is our top priority during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.

If you'd like to adopt an animal from RSPCA WA, please search all the animals available for adoption online at www.adoptapet.com.au.

Our adoptions policy and procedures remain unchanged. This means that if you are interested in adopting an animal, your current pets and your family may be required to attend a meet and greet. If anyone in your family is self-isolating, or is showing symptoms, or has been tested positive for Coronavirus COVID-19, please do not come to the Animal Care Centre. You will need to delay your adoption until you all have the all clear.

If you are thinking about surrendering your pet, please call the Shelter on 08 9209 9323. There is currently no evidence that domestic animals can transmit the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 to people or that they are involved in the spread of COVID-19. There is no need to surrender your pets for fear of contracting the disease from them.

RSPCA WA will continue to operate as the pound for City of Joondalup. If you have lost your dog or cat in these areas, please call 08 9209 9323.

If you wish to purchase pet food or supplies from the RSPCA WA Shelter Shop, please call ahead to arrange a suitable time.

Please do not come to the Shelter if:

  • you have returned from overseas in the last 14 days
  • you have had contact with anyone who has returned from overseas in the last 14 days
  • you are feeling unwell
  • you or someone in your family are self-isolating

If you are self-isolating and are concerned about taking care of your pet, please refer to the section below with further information.

Events

RSPCA WA will be following advice from the Australian Government in relation to mass-gatherings. As a result, some events may be cancelled or postponed.

While COVID-19 is having an impact on many aspects of our lives, sadly, animal cruelty has not stopped. We will still need your support to help fight cruelty: We still need to keep inspectors on the roads; we still need to provide medical treatment and care for animals suffering cruelty and neglect; and we still need to provide food and shelter for animals in need.

Community Action Days

RSPCA Community Action Days have been cancelled until further notice. If you are experiencing financial hardship and finding it difficult to care for your pets, please contact the RSPCA on 1300 278 358.

Dog Training

RSPCA WA Dog Training offers a range of classes and programs to help your dog become a well-behaved, sociable member of the family.

28 April 2020 - update: In light of changes to restrictions now allowing groups of up to 10 people to gather but still maintain social distancing, RSPCA WA has contacted local governments where dog training classes are offered to work towards reinstating classes. If you'd like to be kept up to date with news about classes coming to a location near you, please click here.

Due to physical distancing and restrictions on public gatherings, RPSCA WA is now offering Puppy Kindy and Dog Training classes online, using Zoom.

Online group classes, limited to just four (4) dogs or puppies, share many of the same features of a small group class. The format is very similar. The instructor demonstrates with their own dog, then coaches you with your dog one-by-one via live video feed. You can see the other class participants and hear the feedback they receive. You can ask questions at any time.

If you'd like to arrange a one-on-one dog training session, please email [email protected].

If you have booked an RSPCA Puppy Kindy or Dog Training class and have not yet been contacted, please get in touch.

Retail Stores

*** RSPCA Op Shops and Reloved Stores re-opened on Tuesday 19 May 2020. ***

The health and safety of our customers, volunteers and staff is our main concern at this time. We have implemented some precautionary measures to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus COVID-19:

  • If you are feeling unwell (cold, flu, runny nose, fever, shortness of breath, aches and pains), please delay your visit until you are feeling 100%
  • Stores will be cleaned daily prior to opening.
  • Please practise good hand hygiene
  • Cashless payment methods preferred
  • Limited number of people in store at any one time
  • Donations can be dropped off in-store by appointment, or at RSPCA Animal Care Centre in Malaga

We ask that any donations of good quality, CLEAN preloved clothing, household items, and small electronic appliances in good working order be taken to the RSPCA Animal Care Centre at 108 Malaga Dr, Malaga until further notice. If you would prefer to drop donations in store, please call ahead to arrange an suitable time.

RSPCA Op Shop locations and business hours.

Reloved Store locations and business hours.

Advocacy

RSPCA WA continues to work with government, industry and other stakeholders to promote better welfare outcomes for all animals in Western Australia. While we will be taking common sense measures when attending meetings, we will not rest in providing a voice for the animals of this state.

RSPCA WA will continue to work on the Animal Welfare Act Review, and we will be working hard to ensure that changes in legislation and regulations are put in place to protect livestock, to stop puppy farming, and to hold the Federal Government to account for winding back measures to protect sheep from harm during live export to the northern hemisphere during the hottest months.

We will continue to share our progress with donors and supporters via our monthly e-newsletter and quarterly Great & Small newsletter.

If you’d like to be kept up to date, please sign up for the monthly e-newsletter in the footer below.

Donations of products

RSPCA is accepting donations of CLEAN sheets, blankets and towels which can be used to care for animals in the Shelter. We are very grateful for your generously donated items.

With the reopening of RSPCA's Op Shops and Reloved stores, we are now also accepting donations of clean, good-quality clothing, household goods and electrical items in good working order at the RSPCA Shelter in Malaga, and in-store (please phone ahead to arrange a time if you're donating at the Bibra Lake Op Shop).

Please understand that it costs us money to dispose of unsanitary, dirty, infected and unsuitable items that are left in our donations area. For this reason, we respectfully ask that you do not bring pillows, duvets, comforters, and any soiled or dirty items. It is your responsibility to dispose of these items properly.

Please do not donate items from your household if:

  • you have returned from overseas in the last 14 days
  • you have had contact with anyone who has returned from overseas in the last 14 days
  • you are feeling unwell
  • you or someone in your family are self-isolating.

Donations can be left in the donation area on site at the RSPCA Animal Care Centre at 108 Malaga Dr, Malaga, during business hours.

COVID-19 and your pets

There is currently no evidence that domestic animals play a role in the spread of the human novel coronavirus disease COVID-19.

RSPCA’s Knowledgebase website has some great information and FAQs about pet care during COVID-19.

Please click on the following topics for more information:

NOTE: In WA, people required by law to self-isolate must stay home (or in other accommodation such as a hotel) even if they are feeling perfectly well with no symptoms. If you live in a unit or apartment block, you must stay in your unit or apartment. People should only go out to seek medical care.

If you’re concerned about your pet’s health, ring your vet to ask for advice. They will be able to work with you to ensure your pet receives the care they need while keeping their staff safe from COVID-19 infection.

To assist in reducing the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus the WA Government has introduced restrictions on travel to and within WA which could prevent people from travelling to care for animals under their care. For more info, see: Can I leave home to care for animals during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Recommendations

  • Wash your hands regularly and especially before and after touching animals, and before eating and drinking (if unable to wash, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser)
  • Try to refrain from touching your face
  • Avoid close contact with other people – don’t shake hands or kiss when greeting
  • Always sneeze or cough into a tissue and then discard the tissue into a bin
  • If you or your companion animal show symptoms, quarantine in your house and seek advice from your doctor and veterinarian by telephone.

We are very concerned about the indirect impacts of this pandemic – for example, people losing work or income and struggling to afford pet food and vet care bills.

We’d like to remind pet owners that it’s OK to ask for help. If you’re struggling to care for your pets, please talk to your friends and family, or contact a local shelter, rescue group, or the RSPCA.

How to care for your pets if you’re self-isolating

If you are self-isolating for any reason, you can still take care of your pets. They are likely to be welcome company while you are restricted to your home.

Some ideas for mental stimulation for your pets:

  • Use Kongs when feeding your dog
  • Hide treats in your house and yard
  • Make frozen treats for them
  • Keep plenty of different toys that you can rotate
  • Play games with them such as fetch
  • Do some basic training with them. (What better opportunity to make sure they know all the basics, like sit, stay, lie down and come?)

Read this information on preparing for self-isolation with your pet.

Read this information on caring for your pets during this pandemic.

Horses

Please ensure that you plan ahead so that your horses can be well looked after should you have to self-isolate or are admitted to hospital.

  • Have at least one (1) month’s supply of food (and medication if necessary) available on site
  • Let you neighbours and next of kin know about care arrangements for your horses
  • If your horses are kept at a separate property to where you live, make sure the property owner where the horses are kept, those neighbours and the local council rangers are aware of any arrangements you have put in place and know how to get hold of you.
  • Put a sign on the property where your horses are kept with your name and phone details, in case someone needs to get in touch with you.
  • Ask friends or family to assist with checking on your horses at least once a day to ensure they have access to fresh water and plenty of nutritious food.
  • Make sure that any equipment usually left on your horses (blankets, halters, fly screens, etc.) is in good working order and cannot cause harm or injury to your horse if they become loose or get snagged on fences, etc.

If you are struggling to care for your pets, please ask for help. Contact fellow horse owners, or approach horse shelters, rescue groups or the RSPCA for assistance. (It is important to note that RSPCA WA Inspectors are currently attending calls based on priority – emergencies and major incidents where an animal’s life is in imminent danger take priority. Inspectors will not be able to attend a property just to check on an animal’s status right away).

As always, it’s also a good idea to be prepared – have a full tank of fuel, and don’t make any unnecessary stops if you’re going out to check on your horses. Maintain social distancing rules at all times, and wash your hands thoroughly when you return home.

To assist in reducing the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus the WA Government has introduced restrictions on travel to and within WA which could prevent people from travelling to care for animals under their care. For more info, see: Can I leave home to care for animals during the COVID-19 pandemic?

General Information and Recommended Links

It is important to know the facts. A lot of information that is being distributed on social media is unreliable, simply not correct, or might not relate to the situation in your community. If you find yourself overwhelmed with conflicting information from different sources, take a break from social media for a while and rely on information from trusted sources – reliable news services, and the Federal and State Government Health Authorities.

You can also find more reliable information here:

How you can help

RSPCA WA relies on generous donations and community support for around 90% of what it costs to carry out our animal protection work.

While COVID-19 is having an impact on many aspects of our lives, sadly, animal cruelty has not stopped. We will still need your support to help fight cruelty: We still need to keep inspectors on the roads; we still need to provide medical treatment and care for animals suffering cruelty and neglect; and we still need to provide shelter for animals in need.

You can help by donating to our latest appeal or setting up an automatic monthly donation. You can also call 08 9209 9311 to speak to our donor care team who can assist you make a donation over the phone.

Published:

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Author: RSPCA WA

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