RSPCA WA is calling on South West vets and vet nurses to volunteer for its upcoming Community Action Day in Bunbury.
On Tuesday November 16, the RSPCA will be at will be at Withers Community Library on Hudson Road, offering free support for local pet owners who may be struggling financially.
The day aims to combat the consistently high number of cruelty reports received in the area.
RSPCA received 504 cruelty reports from the South West last financial year with 127 of them from Bunbury.
Reports of neglect were high on the list-reports of people not providing the basics such as enough food and water or not taking their animals to the vet when they're sick.
RSPCA executive manager of fundraising and programs Ken Doran said the reports were down from 2019-20 which saw 559 but it was still a concern.
"The Community Action Day on 16 November will offer practical support to help pet owners who may have fallen on hard times-we want to provide the basics to prevent some of those key concerns before they escalate," he said.
"If people have any niggling concerns about their pet, or haven't visited the vet in a while, we'd really urge them to come along and take advantage of this free support."
The RSPCA team will provide free microchipping for dogs, free dog and cat food, free parasite treatments, a free choke chain exchange, free dog training advice and even a free sausage sizzle.
Free health checks are one of the most important aspects of Community Action Days but the RSPCA says it needs local help to make sure as many pets can be seen as possible.
"When we hold Community Action Days in the metro area, we have Perth-based TAFE and uni staff and students on hand to carry out health checks but unfortunately they can't join us in Bunbury," Mr Doran said.
"We're hoping there are some vets and vet nurses in the area who can give up a couple of hours to help Bunbury pet owners who may not have taken their animals to the vet in a while."
If vets or vet nurses are able to help, they can contact events@rspcawa.org.au
People are welcome to bring their dogs along to the event (dogs must be socialised, vaccinated and on a leash at all times).
Due to welfare concerns, cats are not able to attend however cat advice, food and parasite treatments are available.
The RSPCA thanks City of Bunbury Libraries for their support of this important event.
Jemillah Dawson
I started as a journalist in 2011 and now manage mastheads in the South West of WA. My passion is politics and sport. I believe we are the voice for the community but also we inform the community of what they need to know. Email jemillah.dawson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
I started as a journalist in 2011 and now manage mastheads in the South West of WA. My passion is politics and sport. I believe we are the voice for the community but also we inform the community of what they need to know. Email jemillah.dawson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
