7 April 2026
RSPCA WA will be in Albany and Mount Barker later this month offering free advice and supplies to pet owners who may be struggling with the costs of caring for their pets.
The Albany Community Action Day will take place at Eastern Pavillion on Saturday 18 April from 12pm to 3pm. The Mount Barker Community Action Day will take place at Mount Barker Fire Station on Sunday 19 April from 10.30am to 12:30pm.
RSPCA WA staff and volunteers will be on hand to perform health checks and microchipping for dogs, give out flea and worming treatments for cats and dogs, and hand out free cat and dog food. Pet owners are also encouraged to chat to our friendly staff about dog behaviour issues, training tips and any other behaviour or health-related
questions. City of Albany and Shire of Plantagenet rangers will also be available to answer any local government-related pet questions.
RSPCA WA Chief Operating Officer Hannah Dreaver said the organisation was continuing to see the impact of rising costs for goods, services and housing on people's ability to look after their pets.
"There is a very real concern that the issues we're already seeing will be compounded by the current fuel crisis with household budgets being stretched even further," Ms Dreaver said.
"We received 221 cruelty reports from the Great Southern last year with over 93 per cent generated from the City of Albany and Shire of Plantagenet," she said.
"More than half of the reports received were about dogs so I encourage dog owners in particular who may need some help to come along.
"Our community days offering free support are designed to ease some pressure on family budgets and help stop small health problems for pets from becoming big and expensive ones.
"When you look at the problems our staff deal with there are definitely patterns - untreated skin conditions, often caused by fleas, that have become chronic; underweight animals; strays with no microchip to identify their owner; and animals surrendered because they've become too much of a handful. We can address all of these issues at
days like this one."
People are welcome to bring social, vaccinated dogs and puppies along to the event on leash. If your puppy has not had all its vaccinations yet, you will need to carry the puppy at all times. Due to welfare concerns, cats cannot attend but cat owners are encouraged to attend for free supplies and advice.
RSPCA WA inspectors, an RSPCA WA dog behaviourist, and local government rangers will be on hand to answer welfare-related, training, and registration questions. Health checks will be conducted by RSPCA WA and local volunteer vet staff. Pet owners who would like to attend are asked to register here.
RSPCA WA thanks the City of Albany, Shire of Plantagenet, Petbarn Foundation, and volunteers for their support.
