RSPCA ACT credits investment in additional staff and new drug protocols for its lowest ever number of euthanased animals.
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Just more than 1340 animals were euthanased by the organisation in 2015-16, about 25 per cent of the 5170 it received. None were euthanased for space with the majority put down for medical or behavioural reasons.
The figures, contained in RSPCA ACT's most recent annual report, reflected the employment of a staff member focused on the long-term care of dogs under court orders and a new ringworm treatment for cats, said chief executive Tammy Ven Dange.
"Those investments have paid off in terms of the euthanasia rate," she said.
"There's some people out there who expect us to hit 100 per cent (rehoming rate) and the only way to do that is to screen on entry. Some of the animals that come through the door we won't be able to rehome."
The organisation hopes for a long-term pay-off from investment in prevention. RSPCA ACT desexed nearly 500 cats in August alone through its three-year Frisky Tom program and has launched education programs with primary schools and the Canberra Institute of Technology.
"It could take a while before we see the results of that," Ms Ven Dange said.
The last financial year also marked a period of growth for RSPCA ACT. The organisation recorded a surplus for the second year in a row and made a concerted effort to grow its financial base.
"We made the strategic decision with the board last year we were going to grow," Ms Ven Dange said.
Also in the annual report:
- Cat adoptions went up 27.6 per cent and kitten adoptions 13.6 per cent;
- Just more than 93 per cent of canines were rehomed;
- Each of RSPCA ACT's 15 prosecutions of cruelty were successful;
- Ninety animals were born at the shelter.
