The RSPCA in Canberra has slashed management positions and cut wage costs by one-third in a restructure designed to ensure its viability after a heavy deficit in the last financial year.
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While at least one recently departed manager has questioned the exodus of experienced staff, RSPCA ACT chief executive Tammy Ven Dange said the changes were necessary and had left a more flexible workplace.
"We've cut costs by really taking out a whole lot of management – it was ridiculous how top-heavy it was," she said.
"I'd be knocking on the minister's door [for money] before Christmas if we didn't do it."
The American-raised businesswoman, who took over as chief executive in February, confirmed the 2013-14 net deficit to be announced at the November 25 annual meeting was in six figures.
Ms Ven Dange said she had cut wage costs by $20,000 a fortnight.
Staff numbers were cut down to 47, from 57 a year before, with the current staff levels lower still as vacancies wait to be filled.
Belinda Gibbs decided to leave the organisation in July after her position as cattery supervisor was merged into a wider role and she was left to compete with others for the new position.
The employee of nearly four years said at the same time a handful of new staff were employed on the lower level one rate.
The workforce is now less experienced, she said.
Ms Ven Dange agreed she now led a team with less RSPCA experience, and some were annoyed with changes made, but said animal welfare had not been affected, with higher rehoming rates and lower euthanasia figures for both cats and dogs in 2013-14.
The former US Air Force lieutenant said issues from last year involving complaints by numerous staff, including Ms Gibbs, had played no part in employment decisions, although she acknowledged cultural change could be helped with a clean-out.
"Sometimes the best way of getting rid of bad history is to get rid of the people with the history, because they won't let go," she said.
Ms Ven Dange said while the organisation had dealt with deficits in nine of its last 12 years, she was hopeful of a small surplus this financial year.
She admits lower fundraising figures and the temporary closure of the vet clinic had made that more difficult.
The organisation boosted its investigations into animal cruelty complaints by more than one-third last financial year, despite now having vacancies for 1.5 inspector positions.
