Pets on wheels

Mark Townend, right, Sunshine Coast Community Financial Services Limited chairman Greg Reddaway and Briony Gray.

John McCutcheon

How much is that cute doggy in the amazing, animal-friendly wagon - both with the waggly tails?

That could well be the begging pleas of children at every school fair and community flea market on the Coast now that Noosa has launched the RSPCA's The Road Home Program, a sort of “pets on wheels” painted in animal murals.

Thanks to the Bendigo Community Bank branches at Cooroy, Tewantin and Marcoola, the RSPCA has a new drive to find homes for animals on the Sunshine Coast.

RSPCA Queensland chief executive Mark Townend described The Road Home adoption outreach program as breaking new ground in animal welfare.

“Our aim has always been to re-home as many animals as possible,” he said at Noosa Marina on Friday.

The shelter animals can now be taken out into the community and offered for adoption in animal friendly environments such as exhibitions and show days, council parks and outdoor centres.

Support from the bank's managing company, Sunshine Coast Community Financial Services Limited (SCCFSL), comes in the wake of the first annual RSPCA golf day in March.

The day was a huge success, with more than 120 golfers taking part and more than $20,000 raised.

The money will help fit out the back of the van and purchase equipment needed to run the program.

“With The Road Home program now able to be proactive in the community thanks to SCCFSL and the Noosa branch, we are hoping to increase our adoption rate in the area by as much as 50%,” Mr Townend said.

SCCFSL chairman Greg Reddaway said he was delighted that many animals might soon be in for the ride of their lives to meet their new families.