RSPCA Queensland staff and volunteers on the Sunshine Coast rescue hundreds of adult dogs and puppies every year.

The job involves picking up distressed animals located around the district – a task that was made all the more difficult by the run-down 12 year old van staff and volunteers used to reach them.

The situation has now changed thanks to a small grant from the Equity Trustees-managed Mary Kibble Trust. 

The funds allowed RSPCA Queensland to purchase a modern, reliable van that also allows drivers to safely take urgent phone calls while on the road, helping to rescue animals with a much quicker response time. The new van can also tow a large dog trailer, which expands its capabilities.

“The transportation of dogs to our Noosa shelter has improved immensely with the new van having the towing capacity to tow a purpose-built dog trailer that transports the animals in maximum comfort and safety,” RSPCA Queensland Philanthropy Manager Theresa Scanlan said.

“A recent example was the collection of six abandoned and distressed dogs in Bundaberg that were collected by the van and transported to the Noosa shelter for vet care, behaviour assessment and treatment. These dogs were then re-homed and given a second chance at living a long and happy life.”

A smaller grant in its second year of funding has been used to pay for the van’s petrol and ongoing maintenance costs, with the van travelling more than 7000 kilometres in its first year of operation. 

The grant was so crucial, that RSPCA Queensland asked to include signage on the van publicly thanking the Mary Kibble Trust for their support. 

It is a way to send a powerful message to the community about the important role that donations play in enabling its ongoing work rescuing distressed animals. The van is on the road daily and seen by thousands of people. 

While the Sunshine Coast region canine transport vehicle prioritises dogs and puppies, it is also used for urgent rescues of native fauna including koalas, kangaroos, marsupials and native birds.

The van serves as a backup for RSPCA Queensland’s wildlife rehabilitation hospital at Eumundi during trauma season when all resources are needed. 

The Mary Kibble Trust was set up by John Kibble in honour of his wife to distribute funds to RSPCA organisations throughout Australia. He also established the John and Mary Kibble Trust Fund to fund veterinary research and, in particular canine medicine or surgery at the University of Queensland¹.