Call for an inquiry
June 2009
Donations to NSW RSPCA rose by 100% from $1,496,106 in 2007 to $2,850,357 for the year 2008 . What also rose was the vexatious prosecutions. Prosecutions that were ill founded, and conceived by the RSPCA Animal Rescue TV show, in fact it won a Logie for the most popular real life TV show. When you start making TV stars out of Inspectors then it is a recipe for a conflict of interest.
The head of the RSPCA has allowed several cases of prosecution, which should be questioned as the use of the resources and the processes and the outcomes it achieved
The outcomes are far from what the people who donated their time, estates and their goodwill intended, only to have it frittered away by overzealous inspectors.
The operations of the NSW RSPCA needs to be examined as to its use of the charity’s resources. It receives substantial benefits by being a charity, but it is cavalier with the monies derived under the auspices of their charity status.
Three cases involving three women in NSW deserves an inquiry as to the process and outcomes. The courts time was taken up and appeals are still ongoing. Over $400,000 in legal fees for the three cases and what was the outcome?
Case 1 - Ruth Downy. . A 72 year old woman with 45 cows at Pilliga. The RSPCA shot her cattle, took her on a 4 week trial in a NSW court, then gave her a $296,000 legal bill. The outcome: 45 dead cows and calves left without mothers. And an inability to pay the fines and legal bills.
Case 2- Glenda Lane. A 59 year woman running a horse riding business and heritage farm in the Blue Mountains. The RSPCA Inspectors under took 9 visits in 2 years, took 36 blood samples and found them to have moderate worm burdens and some were lame by loosing their shoes. Charged with 36 counts of cruelty, the owner pleaded guilty to avoid the legal costs after intimidation. The outcome: the horses are still there, the venue is doing their usual drenching programme and the shoes put on. Plus an inability to pay the legal costs and fines.
Case 3- Jan Richardson. A 62 woman at Tenterfield, went into hospital with cancer and left a manager in charge of her 50 cattle. The RSPCA found 21 thin cattle, fined her and gave her a bill for $47,000, which included $12,000 for their vet to fly his private plan and stay in luxury accommodation,. On appeal the fines and bills submitted by the RSPCA was reduced – another court case for this ill woman.
The outcome: A woman beset with her own heath problems, now has the added worry of trying to pay the legal bills.
What is the common thread with the three cases. The prosecuting legal firm of Wozniak Smythe & Co, headed by the President of the RSPCA – Andrew Wozniak.
The role of the Inspectors has gone beyond that which is deemed to be reasonable. The Court actions that they have taken on to be a farce, Ruth Downey spent 4 weeks in a courtroom, after the RSPCA shot her cattle. Why did they not take the cattle, fatten and sell them or rehouse them.? What was to be gained from shooting them in front of her? Glenda Lane had undertaken the drenching, each time they came at the end of a worming programme. In fact the day before, so of course the worm egg count was high, that’s why you worm horses. But is it a case worthy of going to a court of law? It makes a mockery of the Act and the RSPCA.
When these women appealed to the Ministers office it has been met with deaf ears. They DPI wash their hands of the problems- they let the RSPCA do the dirty work. The RSPCA claims they have the Act to work with. So it’s a case of buck passing.
The bottom line is that it is out of control. Get the system fixed.
The O'Farrell Government just gave away $7.5 million to the RSPCA to build a new shelter and no questions were asked as to where the money has been going. Imagine what $7.5 million would do for Westmead Hospital. Barry O'Farrell is he Vice Patron of the NSW Branch of the RSPCA. Nothing is said about the $3500 rent a week that the RSPCA spends on its offices at Homebush.
Today’s State Budget revealed the government’s commitment to a major redevelopment of the Sydney Animal Shelter over the next two years with funding to begin in late 2011 to early 2012.
The funding forms a pledge from Premier Barry O’Farrell in April that the funds would be delivered to the RSPCA in the next 12 months.
“The funds for the upgrade of the RSPCA shelter will start flowing in the second half of this year,” he said.
“It’s a commitment I’m very proud of.”
The animal shelter at Yagoona has almost closed in the past due to the desperate need for upgrades to the buildings.
The RSPCA had already been planning the upgrades in anticipation of the funds to be received.
As part of its plans, the veterinary hospital will be rebuilt, along with an education centre, pet-friendly park and the animal shelter.
RSPCA NSW chief executive Steve Coleman said the workers at the RSPCA deserved top-class facilities to match their dedication.
“The RSPCA is lucky to have staff who are committed to helping animals, despite the working conditions,” he said.
The animal shelter at Yagoona is the largest in the southern hemisphere.
It cares for 900 dogs and 200 cats as well as numerous other birds, rabbits, mice, sheep, cattle, goats, horses, pigs, guinea pigs, chicken and ducks.
Of the 12 shelters in NSW, only four are equipped with a veterinary hospital.
The Yagoona shelter is one of these which, coupled with its size, makes its maintenance extremely important to the RSPCA and the animals it cares for, Mr Coleman said.
On average, RSPCA NSW receives less than two per cent of its funding from the state government, despite needing $34 million annually to keep the organisation running.
Givewell Charity Profiles
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA); New South Wales, The |
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| Givewell Code: | RSP | ||
| Office Address: | 201 Rookwood Rd Yagoona NSW 2199 |
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| Mailing Address: | PO Box 34 Yagoona NSW 2199 |
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| Service Region: | NSW Statewide | ||
| Charitable Category: | Animal Welfare |
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| Contact Details: | Phone:
(02) 9770 7555Fax:
(02) 9770 7575Email:
mail@rspcansw.org.auInternet:
www.rspcansw.org.au
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| Contact Name: | Ms Irene Argyros, Finance Manager, iargyros@rspcansw.org.au | ||
| Public Figures: | The Hon. Kristina
Kerscher Keneally MP - Patron Mr Barry O’Farrell MP - Patron - |
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| Bank: | Westpac | ||
| Lawyer: | Smythe & Wozniak | ||
| Donations Tax Deductible: | Yes. | ||
| Method of Incorporation: | Company Limited by Guarantee. | ||
| ABN: | 87 000 001 641 | ||
| History: | The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) was founded in 1824 in England. In Australia the SPCA movement was established in Melbourne in 1871. This was arranged by the Society for the Promotion of Public Morality which was concerned about the carefree colonial attitude to humans and animals. Tasmania was the next State to establish a society in 1872 followed by New South Wales in 1873. The RSPCA in NSW was granted Toyal warrant in 1923 and became known as RSPCA NSW. | ||
| Cause: | Animals in NSW who have been injured or abandoned, or who are being cruelly treated or at risk of being cruelly treated. | ||
| Purpose: | To prevent cruelty to animals by actively promoting their care and protection. | ||
| Activities: | 1) Animal Shelters. RSPCA operates 11 shelters in NSW, including the Sydney Shelter, the largest animal shelter in the Southern Hemisphere. Shelters provide adoption and surrender facilities, specialised diets, 24 hour care for seriously injured and abandoned animals, transportation and collection of animals, bathing, exercising, bedding, grooming, urgent medical care and attention. 2) Hospitals. The RSPCA operates four hospitals in Sydney, Rutherford, Tighes Hill and Broken Hill. 3) Inspectorate, consisting of 32 inspectors across metropolitan and regional NSW. Inspectors undertake rescues, investigate animal complaints, cruelty cases and prosecutions under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (NSW) and premises inspection. 4) Assistance in natural disasters such as floods, droughts and fires. 5) Outreach programs providing animal care services to isolated community groups, such as elderly and victims of domestic violence. 6) Education Program: providing education services to Primary and High School students and disadvantaged youth across NSW. 7) 27 Volunteer Branches throughout the State which provide foster care and find permanent homes in the local community. | ||
| Annual Report for Year Ending: |
30 June 2010 |
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| Board: | On 30 June 2010, the Board consisted of 8 Directors. During the course of the financial year 9 Board meetings were held. | ||
| Directors' Fees and Benefits: |
Nil. |
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| Chair: | Dr Peter Wright, State President | ||
| Chief Executive: | Mr Steven Coleman, Chief Executive Officer | ||
| Accounts Audited: | Yes. | ||
| Auditor: | Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Chartered Accountants | ||
| Accounts Qualified: | No. | ||
| Key Financial Indicators | 2010 | 2009 | |
| Gross Revenue: | $ 35,223,842 | $ 36,590,625 | |
| Operating Surplus/(Deficit): |
$ 232,017 |
$ 252,605 |
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| Net Assets: | $ 62,812,415 | $ 61,171,030 | |
| Major Assets: | 1) Property, Plant & Equipment - $40,002,429. 1) Cash & Investments - $27,138,556. 3) Receivables - $3,249,746. | ||
| Major Revenue Sources: | 1) Fundraising - 50%. 2) Fees for Service - 19%. 3) Sale of goods and animals - 12%. | ||
| Fundraising Activities: | 1) Bequests. 2) Donations. 3) The RSPCA Million Paws Walk. 4) Annual Fundraising dinner. 5) Participation at events such as street fairs, expos, field days & the Royal Easter Show. 6) Membership Subscriptions. | ||
| 2010 | 2009 | ||
| Gross Revenue from Fundraising: |
$ 17,566,705 |
$ 20,072,400 |
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| Cost of Fundraising: | $ 2,280,990 | $ 1,587,535 | |
| Fundraising Cost Ratio: | 13% | 8% | |
This report is for general information purposes and is not a fundraising request. The information has been compiled primarily from the annual report, the internet, reference material, government registers and has been reviewed by the organisation prior to publication. |
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