In a bid to show the value of homeless dogs, the NZ RSPCA has trained three to drive a car. "Don't dogs this smart deserve a home?" they say.
TWO staff have been made redundant and more may follow as the Dogs' Homes of Tasmania faces skyrocketing costs.
The organisation said it was struggling to survive and has made an unprecedented plea for help from the public, councils and government.
President John Gray said power bills that had quadrupled in two years, wages and the policy of not terminating rehomeable dogs had all contributed.
Investment income had fallen and new water bills had also compounded the financial issues.
Mr Gray said it threw a cloud over the future of the 5000-plus dogs seen by the three homes in the state every year.
"Expenses are increasing at the same time as the income stream is decreasing," Mr Gray said.
"The stark reality is we have to restructure and reduce expenditure to survive."
Mr Gray said unregistered breeding and pet shops were a major pressure.
"I've got a strong belief that it's the backyard breeding [creating the dumping surge]," he said.
"And go to any shopping centre and you'll see dogs for sale.
"The puppies are lovely but then people find it difficult to pay for a vet and food."
Mr Gray said there was no plan to reverse the policy of sparing rehomeable dogs.
The Tasmanian Canine Defence League runs homes in Hobart, Devonport and Burnie and provides services for nine councils.
Mr Gray and chief executive Robert Broadway are looking at how costs could be cut.
Mr Broadway said income from councils and adoption fees had never covered operating costs.
"As a result of rising costs and the growing number of dogs in our care, we now face our biggest financial challenge ever ... we are being forced to cut costs but at the same time we don't want to reduce the services," Mr Broadway said.
The news comes only months after the RSPCA was thrown into fresh turmoil amid management concerns.
The homes do not receive government funding except occasional grants.
michelle.paine@news.com.au
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