The Animal Rights and Rescue Group (ARRG) is a non funded organisation dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and rehousing of abandonded, abused and unwanted cats and dogs. We are a non kill organisation which means only animals that are terminally ill or severely injured are euthanaised.
The group was formed in 1995 when there became a desperate need for such an organisation after the RSPCA branch had been closed down and all funds withdrawn. The group is a non profit organisation which covers all of its costs through garage sales, op shops, market stalls, raffles, memberships, sale of animals and a range of time consuming and generally unsucessful applications for various sources of funding. The secondary role of the group is to give support and advice to the public regarding all companion animal issues. Due to the inability of the public to receive support from the RSPCA they rely heavily on ARRG to attempt to get action when breaches of the Creulty to Animals Act occur. Much of our time is spent researching and interpreting current companion legislation and lobbying to get action when policing of such legislation is seen to be inadequate.
After the RSPCA Head Office closed its North Coast Branch the area from Coffs Harbour to Tweed Heads was left with only one inspector and no funding to deal with the ongoing problem of abandoned and unwanted animals. The current inspector covers this huge area and is rarely in residence to deal with the abundant calls. Urgent calls are left on an answering machine and rarely responded to. The public then turn to ARRG which has no powers to act in cruelty cases and no shelter in which to house animals.
In 1995 there was $78000 in the RSPCA coffers which was for animal welfare work on the North Coast. This money sits accumulating interest when there is an urgent need in this area for a shelter.
The local RSPCA inspector refuses to act on any cruelty calls directed by our group in fact he has given us directives in writing that he is under no obligation to respond to any calls redirected to him by ARRG. Copy of the is letter available on request.
If the RSPCA officer is not available to act on a report of cruelty the police are then to be contacted. This has been unsuccessful to date, as many police are not aware of their responsibilities in such cases. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1997 covers the powers of an officer to act in situations that contravene the legislation. We are currently working with the NSW Police Force to educate police on their role in policing this act.
ARRG is a small group of dedicated volunteers who are driven, directed and inspired by Barbara Steffensen of Wollongbar. The group works seven days a week and is always urgently in need of committed volunteers to offer their service in any small way.
We have no office or shelter. Animals are cared for in volunteer's homes and fed through the generosity of public food donations, Uncle Bens and Meaty Bites. There was a time when all food costs were covered by the volunteers but through the tireless work of Barbara we now generally have no food shortages.
There are a handful of vets who assist the group by providing low cost desexing. There are however no vets in Ballina, Alstonville or Lismore who assist us in any way. Consequently many kilometers are covered when veterinary services are required.
The reality of the situation is that the Animal Rights and Rescue Group is in danger of collapsing due to 'burn out' of its members. The work load is increasing and the assistance and recognition is non existent. We cannot continue this invaluable community service if assistance is not forthcoming. The convenience of having an active group such as this in the area nees to be facilitated and funded if it is to continue. ARRG's number one priority must be to establish a shelter on the Far North Coast.