Federal grant makes animal care campus a reality in Toowoomba!

A $4.8 million dollar grant from the Federal Government will make the dream of building a new RSPCA Qld Animal Care Campus to service Toowoomba and the Darling Downs, a reality.

The grant is part of the Building Better Regions Fund and will make a significant impact in improving animal welfare in the region.

“This is the very best news we could have hoped for,” said RSPCA Qld CEO Mark Townend. “We have had some very generous donors come forward but without this grant we were never going to be able to build a centre that would adequately meet the needs of the region. We’re very grateful to the Minister for Regional Development John McVeigh who recognised the importance of the project and how it would help develop the economic structure of Toowoomba and the Downs.”

The Animal Care Campus will be built at Wellcamp Airport and will house up to 200 animals. There will be a special rehabilitation area to help animals that have been seized by RSPCA Qld’s Inspectorate and a vital triage facility for injured and recovering wildlife.

“Our Toowoomba shelter has been struggling with aging facilities for years and in some instances we were simply not able to give the animals the modern day care and attention they needed,” continued Mr Townend. 

“The Work for the Dole program which has been a huge success at our Wacol headquarters will be there and this has helped boost the employment prospects for participants in a very significant way. Plus of course, there will be more opportunities for volunteers.”

“From an employment and economic point of view this is a major win for the region Plus of course it will be helping thousands of animals every year.”