A MOUNT Gambier City Council sub-committee has foreshadowed a one-off payment of $60,000 to the embattled South East Animal Welfare League (SEAWL) for operational costs.
Members of the Operational Standing Committee backed the fixed fee ahead of four other possible options, including continuing the existing agreement, set fees per impound, self-management and an agreed annual subsidy.
Elected members will consider the committee’s recommendation at next week’s full council meeting.
SEAWL volunteers are hopeful council will agree on the requested grant, with operational coordinator Caitlin Mellor flagging a potential closure if the league’s funding bid is unsuccessful.
“There is a lot of talk about us closing down if we do not secure this funding and it is quite scary,” she said.
“We are trying to fix bits here and improve things, but it would be nice to have it all new and nice here for the animals and volunteers.
“It would be more comfortable for the cats and dogs if this funding was granted.
“I hope City Council think about the outcomes if we do end up closing and the backlash they may get from the community who will not be very happy.”
Ms Mellor said council’s current facilities would not be feasible should the league close its doors.
“They do not have the amount of facilities for dogs, they have nothing for cats and if they did open something up then our volunteers are not keen on volunteering at a council-run premises,” she said.
“Council run facilities don’t run the same way we do and they won’t be too happy if there will be a lot of euthanasia.”
Concerns surrounding stray cats and dogs within the city increasing should the SEAWL not be able to sustain their facilities was echoed by committee members at Tuesday night’s meeting.
Kerri Cock, who is a community supporter of the league, expressed her concerns surrounding the council report, saying staff needed to “look at the bigger picture.”
“The council report presented, focused solely on impounds of dogs,” she said.
“The report did not take into account the number of dogs and cats that are surrendered to SEAWL.
“If SEAWL did not exist and community did not have a surrender facility, the dumping of dogs will rise, impounds will rise and therefore the cost to council will increase, it is that simple.”
Ms Cock is believes “companion animals play a significant role” to the social welfare of the community across “all socio-economic groups”
“SEAWL provide a seven-day a week community service to care for compromised companion animals predominantly run by volunteers,” Ms Cock said.
“Council need to be supporting and applauding the work that they do.
“If council consider the complete role that SEAWL play in, and for the community I am hopeful for a sensible outcome, let SEAWL do what they do best and let council do what they do best.”
A council report brought to council’s operational standing committee caused discussion surrounding five potential solutions.
The report showed council managing their own dogs would be estimated at a cost of $25,000 once followed by $26,280 per year thereafter.
Councillor Paul Jenner said the $60,000 grant for one year would allow the league to find alternate sponsorship.
“We provide the $60,000 for this year while they then go off and look at their sponsorship, then we come back and speak to them next year,” Cr Jenner said at the meeting.
“The last thing I want to see is for us to give them $24,000 and then in four months time they close down and we have dogs and cats around Mount Gambier.”
The current funding agreement between city council, SEAWL and Grant District Council will be discussed within the coming months, as Grant District Council’s decision is unclear.
SEAWL volunteers and concerned community members are expected to oversee the council chamber meeting next Tuesday where the matter will be discussed in full council.
