Ipswich council puts animal welfare first and dumps drop boxes

19 March 2019

An after-hours drop-off facility for stray cats and dogs is set to be scrapped by Ipswich City Council after consultation with RSPCA Queensland.

The boxes - originally installed to try and reduce numbers of stray animals - have been shown to be a distressing experience for pets.

After installing the cages back in 2010, the council has taken on board RSPCA Queensland’s advice to decommission them and is encouraging other councils to follow suit.

Ipswich City Council’s head of animal management Kylie Goodwin said the decision is about making animal welfare and responsible pet ownership a priority.

“Drop box conditions are not ideal for pets, and an unintended consequence is that they are often used to dump pets, particularly litters of unwanted kittens,” Ms Goodwin said.

Council in consultation with RSPCA QLD has decommissioned the after-hours drop off facility at the Ipswich City Council Pound that previously operated from 5pm to 8.30am Monday to Friday.

“The drop off facility significantly reduces both council and the RSPCA’s ability to obtain positive outcomes for impounded animals, in addition to the RSPCA raising a number of welfare concerns for animals that enter the drop off boxes,” she said.

Wandering animals can be taken to council’s pound from 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday.

“Taking a wandering animal to council’s pound during opening hours will ensure both council and the RSPCA are able to obtain information that will either assist us in reuniting the animal with its owner, or finding it a forever home in the event it is unclaimed,” she said.

RSPCA Queensland Chief Inspector Daniel Young said this will prove a lot less distressing for animals who may already be scared.

“The drop-off facility meant that dogs and cats could be contained in close quarters overnight, which could often lead to them becoming extremely agitated and even harming themselves,” he said.

“The best way to deal with strays is to try and contain them, call on neighbours who may not realise they’ve escaped or call the council for a collection.

“Shutting them in a box is simply not a nice experience for any pet.”

If you need help with a stray or wandering pet you can call Council on 07 3810 6666.

If you are experiencing difficulties with your pet and need support, the RSPCA has a range of options that may be able to assist, including residents with unwanted litters.

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