RSPCA Victoria remains open for adoption. While the stage 4 restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne mean some additional operational changes, adoptions continue. The regional shelters currently operating under stage 3 restrictions and continue to run adoptions via the online application process.
Tegan McPherson, Head of Operations, RSPCA Victoria said, "While we continue the important work of finding new forever homes for the many animals in our care, the new Stage Four restrictions mean we are changing the way some of our services will run in metropolitan Melbourne.
"After a slight pause, our metropolitan sites have adapted and adoptions continue via the online application process.
"We understand there are many people who have been waiting to adopt a pet and we encourage them to visit our website to view the animals currently available for adoption.
"We continue to receive a high number of adoption applications and we'd like to thank the community for their patience as our team takes the time to match people with the right pets." said Ms McPherson.
Current RSPCA services
For the duration of the Stage 4 restrictions, RSPCA Victoria is operating as follows and thanks the community for their understanding and patience during this time. In the interests of everybody's health and safety, RSPCA Victoria is asking members of the public to wear a mask, respect hygiene protocols and be mindful of social distancing instructions when visiting its sites.
Animal cruelty reports and our Inspectorate
Inspectors are continuing to investigate animal cruelty reports while taking care to adhere to strict health, safety and social distancing guidelines. Cruelty reports can be made via the normal channels, either online via rspcavic.org/report or if an animal's life is at immediate risk, by calling (03) 9224 2222 so an Inspector can be notified right away.
Adoptions
People in metropolitan Melbourne can continue to apply for animals for adoption via the online form on the website. In an effort to restrict movement as much as possible, customers must be within 30km of the metro site from which they wish to adopt. Meet and greets for dogs will be managed at designated locations at each of the three metropolitan shelter locations.
Portland, Warrnambool and Wangaratta will continue to manage adoptions by appointment under Stage Three restrictions. However, customers from metropolitan locations are not permitted to adopt from these sites.
RSPCA Burwood East 3 Burwood Hwy Burwood East VIC 3151 P: (03) 9224 2222
RSPCA Epping Animal Welfare Facility 20 Companion Place Epping, VIC 3076 P: (03) 8401 6600
RSPCA Peninsula 1030 Robinsons Rd Pearcedale VIC 3912 P: (03) 5978 9000
RSPCA Portland 185 Darts Road Portland VIC 3305 P: (03) 5523 4690
RSPCA Wangaratta 1 Connell Street Wangaratta VIC 3677 P: (03) 5722 8744
RSPCA Warrnambool 23 Braithwaite Street Warrnambool VIC 3280 P: (03) 5561 2591
Vet Clinics
RSPCA Victoria veterinary clinics continue to operate as an essential service. Due to social distancing requirements, instead of face-to-face appointments, nurses will collect patients upon arrival and veterinarians will consult with owners over the telephone.
RSPCA Victoria is asking people to delay non-essential appointments at clinics to prioritise animals that require emergency or welfare care.
People should try and attend their closest veterinary clinic during this time, but can travel further than 5km to their nearest veterinary clinic. If RSPCA Victoria regular clients need to attend a clinic closer to home during this period, they can make contact to have their pet's history transferred across.
RSPCA Victoria veterinary services are operating with limited contact arrangements including contactless payments.
