Location, location, location - and dogs

The RSPCA will be moving.

Yet another brilliant example of what passes for contemporary Canberra townplanning.

I suspect that the people who draw up these plans never actually visited the proposed development sites in person. If they did they’d now how out of step with reality all their concept plans are. Maybe all ACTPLA employees should be forced to live and work for a year on Anthony Rolfe Drive, Gungahlin, as punishment and to learnt from mistakes of the past.

Planners probably think living next to an rspca would be an attraction, like living next to a nature reserve or animal sanctuary … ah, I can see the advertising campaign already: ‘Come and live at Dogwood Rise, a development like no other, where you can live right next to nature and all the cuddly animals it has on offer’. Homebuyers are generally not rational consumers — many will buy the hype without doing the research, only to discover the horror and start complaining later.

Seriously though, I think the Govt’s plan is for the RSPCA to be sent packing elsewhere eventually, irrespective of complaints from future NIMBY’s (I think Mugga Lane/Symonston has been suggested). Moral of the story – Never stand between the ACT Govt and a bucket of cash from developers. You’ll never win.

Muttsybignuts said :

Like the Waldorf nerds vs culture in the city debacle, the cashed up residents will move in, knowing full well ( or should do) that there is an animal shelter in close proximity, and then complain loudly and constantly about the noise until the RSPCA is forced to move out bush or somewhere wholly inconvenient.

Nailed that one right on the head!

Like the Waldorf nerds vs culture in the city debacle, the cashed up residents will move in, knowing full well ( or should do) that there is an animal shelter in close proximity, and then complain loudly and constantly about the noise until the RSPCA is forced to move out bush or somewhere wholly inconvenient.

Well, if you don’t want to live near there, don’t move there. Its been there for years and people who move into the area now, or new development to be built shouldn’t complain about barking dogs. If it was moved out to the outer fringe i’d expect the rehoming business would drop significantly.

Captain RAAF said :

Spectra said :

I don’t think I would feel safe knowing unsavoury types might be dropping off their unwanted pets at all hours of the night.

Is that something that actually happens? Do “unsavoury types” actually bother to drop their pets off to the RSPCA?

I also hear from time to time that the centre has been broken into, whether to steal animals or veterinary supplies, which would also make the location less than appealing.

You sound tough however if you really were a cowardly kitten killer you wouldn’t ever drop any off at the shelter. Someone who does the first thing doesn’t do the second. You are probably a decent bloke ( or girl, but I think your a bloke).
I drop the cats I can’t be bothered killing off there! 😉

Spectra said :

I don’t think I would feel safe knowing unsavoury types might be dropping off their unwanted pets at all hours of the night.

Is that something that actually happens? Do “unsavoury types” actually bother to drop their pets off to the RSPCA?

I also hear from time to time that the centre has been broken into, whether to steal animals or veterinary supplies, which would also make the location less than appealing.

I drop the cats I can’t be bothered killing off there! 😉

I don’t think I would feel safe knowing unsavoury types might be dropping off their unwanted pets at all hours of the night.

Is that something that actually happens? Do “unsavoury types” actually bother to drop their pets off to the RSPCA? Do they particularly do it at “all hours of the night”? Or are you just making up imagined problems?

I also hear from time to time that the centre has been broken into, whether to steal animals or veterinary supplies, which would also make the location less than appealing.

That, presumably, is at least in part because it’s in a relatively isolated area. Perhaps more development around there might actually mitigate that problem?