We emailed Council in regards to their budget of $71,900 for improved items at GRAS which was passed in May 2016. It is 12 months since this budget was approved. Council’s repeated response to our emails stated “Council will no longer be responding by email on issues that have been explained and responded to”. We have never asked Council about this budget, how the money was spent or if there is any money left in this budget. We think as rate payers and community members we are entitled to know how our money is spent by Council. This update is a summarised version of our emails sent to Council in May and June this year: 1. As much as we appreciated that $18,000 was spent on fixing the infloor heating, $12,000 for the automatic drinkers and $8,500 on drainage improvements, we do query why this money needed to be spent on a brand new building that cost rate payers $700,000? We would also like to know why this design was chosen and did Council seek advice from qualified animal experts when they chose this design? Council was aware of how problematic the drainage was in the old kennels, yet chose to install a drainage system that needed improving. The infloor heating should have been working on completion of the building - it should not have had to be repaired at an extra cost of $18,000 of rate payers’ money. The need to install automatic drinkers at the cost of $12,000 because of the inappropriate size of the water bowls, to us reflects the inadequacies in the original design of the dog kennels. This total of $38,500 could have been spent on so many other urgent items. The dogs were moved into the new dog kennels when Council knew the infloor heating was problematic ("not fully commissioned") and for over 6 months the dogs were left to sleep on unheated often wet cement. It was only after we went to media that Council management chose to spend the money and get the infloor heating fixed, even though we had raised this issue many times. We have never understood why Council chose to move the dogs into the new dog kennels knowing that the infloor heating was not working, especially when their website stated that it was a state of the art facility providing the best possible care for the animals. It was heartbreaking to see the dogs especially the vulnerable ones (puppies, malnourished dogs) in these conditions. We also had to point out that the big dogs were sometimes running out of water and buckets were then placed in some of the cages until the automatic watering system was installed. 2. $6,000 has been allocated for additional cat cages/exercise pens. There are three new larger play cages in the cattery, however the wire chosen allows kittens to squeeze out of the cages and the door of one of the play cages opens onto the unsecured section of the cattery. Why was this wire chosen? Who in Council management approved this? How much of the $6,000 has been spent? 3. There is one dog exercise area with grass and fencing. The dog exercise yard utilises the new and old dog kennels as part of the enclosure. As yet there is no shade provided, except for the shade provided by the building of the new dog kennels. Are more dog exercise yards going to be built? The budget states, "dog exercise yard (fencing and turf) $13,500". How much of this money has been spent? 4. $1,600 has been allocated in the budget for a dog washing facility. Who made the decision for this? Though this is a useful item for the future, we think there are more urgent items required at GRAS, such as indestructible bedding for all dog cages, stimulus for the animals, an outdoor clothesline, etc. Is this $1,600 still available in the budget? In Dr Michelsen’s review he states, “there are several alterations that would make some improvement… Quarantine area - a separate area for sick dogs and cats would allow much better disease control within the facility”. We also consider this a high priority, yet this is not mentioned in "planned improvements" on Council’s website. There is no mention of a dog washing facility in Dr Michelsen’s review. 5. We note that $3,000 has been allocated in the budget for the "facility masterplan". We are very interested to see what this masterplan includes and if it has been completed? We also wonder why the “facility masterplan” needs a budget of $3,000, as we think this would be a normal part of management’s role in planning the future development of GRAS. We note on Council’s website this is now listed as a “planned improvement” yet Council has had 12 months to complete the “facility masterplan”. What happens to the money in the budget if it has not been used on the designated items? Is this money still available? Caring for animals requires financial commitment by Council management, e.g. for a quarantine area, the time allocated for cleaning, etc. We are appreciative of the changes that have been made at GRAS, e.g. some new staff have been employed with qualifications, sick animals treated by the vet, animals kept for longer periods, etc. However until we see that these are included in Council’s policies/procedures on GRAS, we do not know whether they are temporary or a permanent arrangement. There are a lot of changes still required at GRAS e.g. upgrading the deposit pens, more exercise yards, larger individual cat cages per Dr Michelsen's Review "the installation of more appropriate housing for cats would ensure future legislative requirements in addition to improving the welfare of cats held at the facility", etc. We also think that the comprehensive protocols and procedures manual detailing all aspects of GRAS needs to be completed and fully implemented. We do not know how any pound can operate without such protocols and procedures. Change at GRAS has been difficult, partly because of issues within Wagga Council itself (see http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/story/4697892/councils-culture-of-departure/?cs=148 ). To our supporters: those who are interested in making sure the improvements at GRAS continue, or would like to read the comprehensive policies and procedures manual, please email Council and Councillors at the following addresses: - councillors@wagga.nsw.gov.au, - gardiner.mark@wagga.nsw.gov.au - summerhayes.janice@wagga.nsw.gov.au By emailing it shows Council management that rate payers and community members place a high value on animal welfare and expect appropriate amounts of resources to be allocated to ensure GRAS meets legislation and becomes a best practice facility.