Weston, where RSPCA ACT has been based for the past 40-plus years. Photo: James Coleman.
RSPCA ACT “greatly appreciates” another step forward in the journey to receiving a new purpose-built facility – but adds it’s now time to get on with it.
The local animal welfare service has been based out of a converted home in Weston Creek (near the Cotter Road service station) for more than 40 years – and desperately feeling the pinch for at least the past five.
“Our shelter is a tiny little squishy place,” RSPCA ACT CEO Michelle Robertson told Region this week.
“And although our team honestly does an amazing job, if we really want to get on top of the animal situation in the ACT, we need to be geared up.”
Over the last financial year (2024/25), RSPCA ACT surgically operated on 2280 animals, including de-sexing and amputations, and held 8750 consultations.
It also provided emergency boarding for 165 pets caught up in domestic or family violence situations.
The shelter typically has between 350 and 380 animals in its care at any one time. This compares to between 160 and 180 animals about five years ago.
Not only does RSPCA ACT need more surgery and shelter space, Ms Robertson said they also needed open areas to run educational programs to prevent animals from needing to come to them in the first place.
RSPCA ACT CEO Michelle Robertson and ACT Minister for City Services Chris Steel. Photo: James Coleman.
“We can’t change behaviors and attitudes and make sure that we do the things necessary to stop animals from ending up with us, if we can’t run proper programs,” she said.
“One of the worst days I’ve had out at the shelter – and I’ve had a few – was when a young girl in a wheelchair with a terminal disease visited and all she wanted to do was look at the animals and learn about them, but we couldn’t push her through the shelter because it’s not fully accessible.”
The ACT Government has already committed $40 million for a new shelter in Pialligo, located between the Australian Defence Force Academy on one side and the Majura Parkway on the other.
Future RSPCA site map. Photo: ACT Government.
Environmental assessments have already been undertaken, with the building’s footprint required to move slightly to accommodate a population of the endangered striped legless lizard.
According to the latest update on the ACT’s City Services website, a development application will be lodged once a concept design is finalised.
In the ACT Budget for 2025/26 – to be handed down in full tonight (24 June) – the government will now release the first $2 million of total funds to “progress pre-construction” over the coming year.
ACT Minister for City Services Tara Cheyne described this as “an exciting step forward”.
“We’re working closely with RSPCA ACT to ensure this project is delivered in a way that meets community expectations and supports their vital work across the territory,” she said.
The money will be used to “partner with a designer and builder to determine how to complete the facility”.
The remainder of the $40 million will then be released in a second grant when the project is ready to move into the construction phase.
The RSPCA ACT accommodates between 350 and 380 animals at any one time. Photo: RSPCA ACT.
Ms Robertson hoped they could reach this point as “quickly as possible” .
“We are really appreciative of the ACT Government’s support … but we want to try and step through this as quickly as we can,” she said.
“If I had to guess – we don’t have any sort of firm timeline – but it’s probably going to take us the better part of the next financial year to get all these processes – planning, procurement – done.
“But I would be elated if we could start construction in 2026 and just get on with it.”
