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About Us History of RSPCA Queensland Inc How sadly wise, perhaps it is, Dogs live so brief a span, Who in that short existence make, An idol out of man. For which of us is great enough Or wise enough, or true, To stand unspoiled such worshipping A whole long lifetime through’. --Virginia Scott Miner The Queensland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty (QSPC)to Animals was established in Brisbane in 1876. After lapsing due to a lack of funds, it was re-established in 1883. Its first Queensland Inspector, Mr Marlowe, was installed and by the end of September 1884, had issued no less than 350 ‘cautions’, mainly for ill-treatment of working horses. These cautions resulted in numerous prosecutions. The Society dropped the word ‘Animals’ from its title after nine years, as it had widened its activities to include neglected and ill-treated children and later the care of neglected aged people, also providing vocational guidance for children with disabilities and care for the people with emotional disabilities. The QSPC also concerned itself with transport of stock and slaughtering methods in butchery. In 1892, a children’s department was well established, 10 children were removed from ‘cruel and immoral surroundings’ and 130 warnings affecting the welfare of 222 children were given by Inspectors. The Council of the Society, after close study of the ill-treatment of children, prepared a Bill for their relief and in 1896-7 the Children’s Protection Act become law. As a result of the work of the Society and a Mr JT Bell, it became a penal offence in Queensland to ill-treat children. The Society’s public appeals were now to ‘all friends of children and animals’. It was also in 1892 that the Queensland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals became simply the Queensland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty. In the 1890s and in the early part of the 20th Century, the RSPCA was the sole agency responsible for children’s welfare, protecting children from cruelty and all forms of ill treatment by removing them from moral or physical harm where necessary. The Society maintained an active involvement in the protection and welfare of children until the 1970s, when it once again became solely dedicated to shelter and welfare of animals. The Society became the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Queensland (RSPCA Qld)in 1982 and subsequently on December 23, 1999, was incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act 1981. The Society is regarded today as the State’s leading authority and agency on animal welfare, offering a range of services designed to alleviate situations that may cause distress to animals. Enforcing the law The Animals Protection Act was created in 1925 by the Queensland legislature, and RSPCA Inspectors became responsible for investigating cruelty and enforcing the Act. For many years, the Inspectorate was assisted by ‘Honorary Inspectors’, volunteers who dedicated much of their lives to investigating suspected cases of cruelty. Although Honorary Inspectors no longer operate in Queensland, they contributed a great deal to building awareness and public support for the RSPCA in Queensland. In the late Spring of 2001, the Queensland Parliament passed the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001, the Act proclaimed on March 1, 2002. The Act provides an increased level of protection for animals in the courts of Queensland and a taskforce of Department of Primary Industries Inspectors is working with RSPCA Inspectors to enforce the law. Shelter and help for homeless and abused animals The RSPCA’s shelter facilities, which now form such a large component of the Society’s operations, started humbly with a few cages in a vet surgery. The RSPCA has been based at Fairfield since the early 1900s and took over the old Brisbane council pound in Fairfield in the 1960s. This refuge, built in the 1920s, still serves on the site of the RSPCA’s state headquarters. The Society plans to rebuild the facility, along with several regional shelters, during the coming years. RSPCA branches and shelters are situated throughout the eastern part of the state and include the Brisbane shelters of Fairfield and Pine Rivers, with regional shelters in Bundaberg, Cairns, Noosa, Kingaroy, Toowoomba and in an amalgamation with the NQSPCA in 2001, a shelter at Townsville. Branch Committees are based on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts and in Brisbane, Gympie, Townsville, Mackay and Rockhampton. From one Inspector and several supporters in its fledgling years, the Society has grown to its present day level of around 190 staff throughout the state, generously supported by more than 1,200 volunteers. All who work directly or indirectly with the RSPCA are dedicated to increasing the opportunities and improving the quality of life of each animal in their care. The RSPCA remains an independent animal welfare charity, striving to educate the community on its responsibilities and continuing to protect and enhance the welfare of animals. Portions of this text courtesy: - Three Score Years and Ten - (Elizabeth Webb) - published 1951. Printed by Shipping Newspapers (Q’ld.) Ltd., Ryan House, Eagle St., Brisbane.