By Mikayla van Loon
The rate of animal cruelty reports in the Yarra Ranges has reached a four year low according to RSPCA Victoria’s annual data.
Dropping to 16th place, having ranked eighth last financial year, the Yarra Ranges recorded 220 animal cruelty reports for 2023/24.
This is 90 fewer reports of cruelty than the previous year, despite the RSPCA revealing in late 2023 that reports of horse-related cruelty in the Yarra Ranges topped the rankings across the state last financial year.
In total, nearly 10,000 animal cruelty reports were made to RSPCA Victoria by members of the public in the 2023/24 financial year.
The main three reasons included husbandry issues such as lack of grooming, poor hygiene or unsanitary living conditions, and lack of shearing; underweight animals; and sick or injured animals where there had been insufficient, or no veterinary treatment provided.
Acting chief inspector Michelle Green said while malicious cruelty was still occurring, their team was helping struggling pet owners more than ever before.
“It’s an increasingly challenging environment out there following the pressures of the pandemic, and the cost-of-living crisis is only compounding this,” she said.
“The majority of what our RSPCA Inspectors are seeing first-hand is just how much people in the community are struggling, and when people are struggling their pets are often affected.
“The majority of the animal cruelty we see is actually neglect as a result of people’s circumstances changing beyond their control, such as hospitalisation, financial pressures, or sudden joblessness, while other animals suffered due to owners simply not understanding how to care for their pets adequately.”
Neglect remains the highest form of abuse but even still acting chief inspector Green said cases of animals being beaten, small animals being used for live-baiting, and even cockfighting do exist on a smaller scale.
The Yarra Ranges has also improved in the number of animals being seized or surrendered, decreasing from 57 in 2022/23 to 25 in 2023/24.
This is considered moderate in terms of rankings of local government areas.
Greater Geelong, Casey, Wyndham, Hume and Whittlesea have remained in the top five for the fourth year in a row for the number of cruelty reports.
Hume also topped the list for the number of seizures or surrenders totalling 227.
While Knox only had 151 reports of cruelty, the council area had 60 seizures or surrenders, ranking the municipality at 11th.
Cardinia had 242 reports of cruelty made to RSPCA but only 14 animals were seized or surrendered throughout the year.
The RSPCA received 129 reports about animals in Maroondah, with 31 being seized or surrendered.
In the last 12 months 2250 animals were seized by or surrendered to RSPCA Victoria’s Inspectorate placing pressure on the capacity of shelter services.
In an aim to try and prevent the overwhelm of shelters, inspectors look to help pet owners at home.
“When they can, our Inspectors are offering help through emergency pet food to struggling households and other support such as the provision of donated kennels or bedding for pets and providing preventative flea and worming treatments,” acting chief inspector Green said.
“We’re also seeing people struggling to provide for the number of animals they have, whether that be households caring for unplanned litters from un-desexed pets, or people whose circumstances have changed and they’re no longer able to support their pets.
“If you are struggling to care for your pets you are not alone, please don’t be afraid to reach out for help and please don’t wait until your pet is suffering.”
Acting chief inspector Green said there may be community-based programs or other groups, as well as the local council who may be able to support people in providing the best welfare outcomes for their pets.
This year RSPCA Victoria announced it is increasing its community outreach work as part of its 2030 Strategy, with the aim of supporting people in the community to keep and care for their pets so that they don’t end up in shelters.
Anyone with concerns about the welfare of animals is urged to make a report to RSPCA Victoria at rspcavic.org/cruelty-report or by calling 9224 2222.
