RSPCA NSW announcing a one month pause on cat intakes during kitten season ("Vaccine supply shortage puts a hold on RSPCA NSW shelter feline acceptances", Newcastle Herald 18/10), should be seen in context of the existing trend whereby it has slashed its cat intake statewide by half, and its dog intake by 70 per cent between 2012 and 2022.
It has a history of making retrospective announcements, like the abrupt closure of the Tuggerah Care Centre or the Central Coast shelter closing to the public, both announced afterwards. Meanwhile, the small community rescues bear the brunt of the workload, with no notice and without the massive financial resources of RSPCA. Its latest 2022-23 financial statements, released this month, showed a total of $97 million in cash and financial investments - mostly shares - not counting working assets like vehicles, shelter facilities and equipment.
