After many years of patiently waiting, RSPCA ACT announced today that it will relocate to a new purpose-built facility in Pialligo.
Now more than 50 years old, the Weston facility has done it best to accommodate RSPCA ACT employees, volunteers, and rescued and surrendered animals since 1966. The new Pialligo site will include enclosed dog kennels and cattery facilities along with improved veterinary clinic and adoption facilities, to ease the process of pets finding their forever homes.
ACT Minister for City Services Chris Steel stole the heart of a gorgeous galah named Archie as he announced the site in Pialligo as the new home of RSPCA ACT.
“We [ACT Government] made an election commitment to work with the RSPCA and find them a new facility, and we found a particular block in Pialligo which is well situated, zoned appropriately for an animal care facility, and is near existing vet facilities,” Mr Steel said.
While there has been some suggestion the site is inappropriate due to its proximity to the airport runway, Mr Steel was adamant the site is suitable.
“We believe it is a suitable site for Canberra’s animals. At the moment there are other animals using the site currently, so it’s appropriate,” he said.
The Minister will be heading to Sydney in coming weeks to check out RSPCA facilities there to help design the Pialligo site.
“We expect this to take a number of years to design and construct this facility, so they will still be here [Weston] for some time. But we are looking forward to working with the RSPCA to make sure they have a facility so they can grow with Canberra’s growing population of pets,” he said.
CEO of RSPCA ACT Michelle Roberston couldn’t contain her excitement at the announcement, and said she’s “busting” to do all the amazing things RSPCA ACT has been holding off for years.
“This process exceeds both myself and the current minister. It’s been a very long conversation and very long overdue. It’s a great milestone because now we have a place that we will be able to call home,” Ms Roberston said.
“We’ve been on this site for a long time, but we are not able to meet the current needs of the community. The block of land is not very accessible, and we can’t do the things we should be doing – educating the community, having spaces where children, students, the elderly, and everyone in the community can come and learn about the beauty of animals and how to be a responsible pet owner.”
The new site will include a purpose-built vet clinic, rather than the converted house used at Weston, which means the RSPCA will be able to offer clinical services to the animals in their care and to low-income pet owners.
“It will make a lasting change for the Territory, Canberrans, and certainly the animals,” Ms Robertson said.
The confirmed site is located as part of Block 2 Section 14 Pialligo, on the corner of Fairbairn Avenue and Addison Road.
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