THE South East Animal Welfare League has hit crisis point as it is inundated with cats and kittens and unable to accept more felines.
Operators of the city’s only animal shelter have revealed the cat section has reached capacity and no more can be accepted until further notice.
While the measure to curb the league’s cat population is only temporary, the not-for-profit organisation has warned it will be forced to close its doors permanently unless it secures significant funding given escalating operating costs.
The South East Animal Welfare League provides a temporary home for abandoned and unwanted animals, but volunteers and staff are already caring for the maximum of 40 felines at the Riddoch Highway facility.
“Recently we have had more people bringing in cats and many of them are in a transition stage where they are too young to be vaccinated and desexed,” SEAWL president Natalie Zwar told The Border Watch.
“We have 40 cats at the shelter and in foster homes waiting to be desexed, vaccinated and microchipped before they are made available for adoption.
“The number fluctuates all the time, but this is the worst it has been in a long while – unfortunately we are unable to accept cats and kittens until the number is more manageable.”
In the last 12 months the league received 142 cats, with 128 cats adopted into new homes and 10 euthanised.
The shelter also received 219 dogs, with 113 adopted into new homes, 80 returned to their owners and 23 euthanised.
“We still receive plenty of dogs, but we are at a crisis point with cats at the moment,” Ms Zwar said.
“Cats are not made available for adoption until they have been vaccinated and desexed and people have been bringing in unwanted kittens and cats faster than we can rehome them.”
In 2017, the league operated at a loss of over $26,000 with expenses totalling $225, 257.
Veterinary costs for the period ending December 2017 exceeded $48,000 and those costs are expected to increase when the Dog and Cat Management Act comes into effect on July 1.
“We have been operating at a loss and have had to delve into our cash reserves,” Ms Zwar said.
“We raise $50,000 ourselves every year through sponsorship, donations and fundraisers, but we can no longer support human resource costs and veterinary costs without increased government funding.”
The SEAWL has requested a combined $100,000 from Mount Gambier City Council and Grant District Council, equating to an increase to the councils’ yearly contributions of $28,600 and $11,400 respectively.
“Our turnover has reached the $150,000 mark, so we are now required to pay GST – previously we were under the threshold,” Ms Zwar said.
“We employ two part-time staff and three casual relief staff who have trained in animal handling at their own expense – staff and veterinary costs have increased 71pc since 2014 when our arrangement with the councils was signed off.
“The league is unable to sustain continued losses and unless we secure significant funding we will have to wind down.
“We hope both councils will reconsider the current funding agreement given it is a vital service and the only animal shelter in the city.”
