Today’s Victorian budget announcement including additional funding for RSPCA Victoria’s law enforcement function, the Inspectorate for FY26/27, is a win for Victorian animals.
Dr Liz Walker, RSPCA Victoria CEO, said the additional funding will enable the charity to continue to respond to more than 10,000 animal cruelty reports every year.
“Pet ownership is on the rise, and the community’s expectations of ensuring good animal welfare are only increasing,” Dr Walker said.
“However; the current environment with cost of living and other pressures is incredibly complex so we expect our Inspectorate services will be more vital than ever.
“In a budget prioritising the safety of frontline responders we are pleased to see this includes our Inspectors who protect and rescue our state’s most vulnerable animals.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the Victorian Government for this funding to ensure the safety of RSPCA Inspectors, often dealing with multifaceted cases and dangerous persons of interest.”
Next year the Inspectorate will cost RSPCA Victoria more than $11m to operate, not including around $6m in costs to care for animals seized and surrendered through cruelty investigations.
“We are pleased to see our expertise in investigating, enforcing and prosecuting animal welfare cases recognised with this funding announcement,” Dr Walker continued.
In addition to the RSPCA Victoria funding, the budget has also provided for a number of volunteer animal welfare organisations delivering care and rehabilitation.
Also announced was additional funding to protect Victoria’s biosecurity, ensuring the health and welfare of animals in Victoria in preventing and mitigating diseases with the potential to significantly impact the lives of farm animals.
