26/06/2024
Today I was lucky enough to be invited to go on a special tour of the new RSPCA facilities at O’Halloran Hill held to thank the donors that help fund the facilities. Many thanks to my godfather who kindly gave me his ticket.
Despite my aversion to driving anywhere with a speed limit over 70km an hour past the western border, I hiked up the hill of O’Halloran and was rewarded with the freshly landscaped Mecca - the hub of animal care. My tour group had a lot of lovely chatty senior ladies who were not shy in asking questions and offering their opinions and even cooing over big muscle dogs that could wag their tail and knock the wind out of them. My favorite quote was one lady who reassured the head vet at RSPCA that she “didn’t need to feel bad about using the term ‘you couldn’t swing a cat in there’ because the saying comes from the term of whipping around a ‘cat-o-nine-tails’ (a whip with nine lashes) and not in fact, a real cat.” Educational AND relieving.
The facilities were comfortable and clean for all the animals on a cold day and you can tell the staff and volunteers have put in so much love and care. But it’s still so tough to see a cat immediately flop over onto its belly upon your touch for a belly rub (yes, it’s probably a trap but c’mon!), dogs like Gary who look like they’ve been shredding for stereos but just want a couch to cuddle up next to you or the sight of all the dogs lined up in their cages seeing your tour group leave and having no idea why you’re going. There were bunnies too and they obviously need good homes but they actually looked pretty chilled just eating hay with their deadpan cute faces.
I didn’t take many photos because some of the animals are involved in court cases/being investigated so you’ll have to take my word that they were all amazingly cute good boys and girls and if you’re thinking of adopting, go online and look at Gary because I would love to but Erick won’t let me. Or donate!
That’s my recount of my excursion chaperoned by me. Thanks for listening.
