Queensland puppy farm raids cancelled - no room left at RSPCA

The RSPCA is being forced to restrict its operations after being overwhelmed by dumped pets and animals seized in raids.

RSPCA spokesman Michael Beatty said the organisation last week had to cancel a raid on a property suspected of neglecting a large number of dogs because there was no room left in its shelters.The charity group is caring for more than 160 dogs, taken after raids on two separate breeding farms, as well as hundreds of “Christmas returns” - pets bought as presents that are now unwanted.

Last month, RSPCA inspectors seized 104 dogs from a puppy farm in Brisbane’s southwest. Anya (pictured) was one of the poodles seized from Waterford Boarding Kennels and Cattery during the January 9 raid. She had an ear infection and her fur was matted with feces and urine.

But after an appointment with the clippers, a bit of veterinary attention and a lot of love and care, Anya is well on the road to recovery.

Many of the dogs rescued are still suffering from ongoing urinary-tract and ear infections as well as stomach problems, Mr Beatty said. “There are about 12 of the poodles seized that still need a lot of veterinary care, but for a lot of them the sores are starting to heal.”

While their health continues to improve, the future of the dogs is uncertain. Because kennel owner Geraldine Fooi Fong Robertson, 62, has not signed the dogs over to the RSPCA, they cannot be found new homes, Mr Beatty said.”We’re in the final stages now of getting evidence together to apply for forfeiture so that the animals would be given over to us,” he said.

“But the whole system regarding forfeiture can be frustratingly elongated. It would be great if there was some way to speed it up because we’re not talking about furniture or seized cars. They are living animals.”

The RSPCA is also footing the costs for keeping more than 60 chihuahuas seized in a raid on a property west of Maryborough six months ago.

Like the poodles from Waterford, new homes cannot be found for the chihuahuas until court proceedings against their owners are finalised. The owners are due in court on March 28.

The welfare organisation’s woes are made worse by the fact their Fairfield shelter, on Brisbane’s southside, is overflowing with unwanted pets, Mr Beatty said.

About 50 kittens need homes and another 106 are in foster homes awaiting space at the shelter. There are also 34 cats and 46 dogs in need of new homes and 20 puppies on foster.

“If you’re in the market for a pet, please come and see us at the RSPCA,” Fairfield Shelter manager Nanda Ten Grotenhuis said.