RSPCA ACT, for the first time ever if I’m not mistaken, was open for extended hours over the long weekend to manage the influx of lost and injured animals as a result of fireworks usage. Now before you zone out, I’m not raising this in order to debate the banning of fireworks. I think we have done that one to death. I am raising it to seek thoughts on the issue of who should pay. RSPCA ACT responded to need and kept their services available for extended hours at, I assume, their own cost. The pound also stayed open extended hours, funded by government.
So who should cover costs like this? RSPCA ACT only stayed open late to address a need arising from a government decision to allow fireworks. Should they therefore be able to seek funds from the government for the extra costs?