Improving the lives of tens of thousands of family pets over almost three decades, Noosa’s RSPCA manager Nicole Louise Cleary is a very worthy recipient of a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for service to animal welfare, but was “blown away“ to receive it.
“I was saying to my mum, it’s my people and colleagues putting me up for it that means so much. They’re just my family,“ an emotional Nicole said.
“It’s such an honour, it really is.
“It means a lot, but it’s a bit embarrassing, I’m only as good as my people.
“I’ve got a lot of vollies who have been here more than 11 years. That’s what makes it a family environment – you see them every week. (The award) goes to them as well.“
A former pastry cook, Nicole started volunteering at the shelter when RSPCA was in the process of taking it over, and loved the work.
She scored a full time position in 1994 and was promoted to manager a year later.
Nicole has always been an on-the-ground working manager, doing the same tasks as her staff, from cleaning kennels to washing dogs as well as being involved in fundraising and broader community activities.
Over the years Nicole has taken on opportunities that have expanded her outlook.
“I’ve won a scholarship and got to go over to tour around America to see what happens with my peers,“ she said.
“I’ve worked at all the RSPCA shelters and there’s nine of those and I think that’s just broadened what we do as an organisation.
“We’ve got a lot of depth in being able to contribute to welfare all across Queensland.
“I do believe that we have to have a people focus to be able to get great results for the animals.“
The shelter deals with about 3000 animals and about 800 adoptions a year. It operates education programs in schools and also works with DV Connect, providing 28 days shelter at no cost to animals whose owners are involved in domestic violence situations.
Rising costs of living and rent hikes have had their impact on pet ownership, reflected in animal surrenders and adoptions.
“The job’s got harder because of the living circumstance,“ Nicole said.
“I think people can’t afford to adopt, they can’t find a way. I know rental (laws) said we’ll allow everyone to have a pet, but when there’s 85 people at the door, landlords are going to choose the one without kids and without pets, which is a bit tragic.
“Pet owners try to do their best but the circumstance doesn’t allow it. We have to keep offering new suggestions.
“You feel for people.
“It makes you really compassionate to how people are because I just think we could all end up in that situation at any stage where we’re reliant on someone helping us,“ she said.
Nicole has seen many changes in the way RSPCA operates over her years at the shelter.
“The change has just been about having more ownership, having a view to what we want, helping the community and people, but also there’s less euthanasia,“ she said.
“Now it’s hardly any … and they’re only for medical reasons, and (extreme) behaviour, like if you’re not safe to go out.“
Now, as part of a working group, Nicole wants to change an inaccurate perception held by some people in the community.
“It’s the fact everyone thinks – don’t go to the RSPCA because they kill everything,“ she said. “You put a post up and you get 10 really negative responses.
“I said to our CEO you need to be working on our brand and what we do and telling people the truth – why and how, especially the little shelters.
“You can make a big difference in telling people we’re moving forward in a positive way.“
Nicole said there were more changes in approach coming from head office in Brisbane including aims to reduce the use of wire enclosures, increased use of foster carers and an introduction of more hubs where there’s retail and the possibility to make better financial decisions, involving less waste.
She said Noosa’s small, ageing facility was also looking toward future changes.
“It’s very old and we’ve got a lot of difficulties. We have to have that conversation as to where we head in the future,“ she said. “We provide education and fill a need in the community, we have a role in the community.“
For Nicole and her son, who, at 27 years, has grown up involved in the shelter, her role and her RSPCA family have been a blessing in both good and bad times.
“The dedication comes from when you go home at night, you’re looking at your shelter and knowing that everyone’s alive and you’ve given them the best that you can while they’re in your care,“ she said. “But you also need to be able to let them go when you know that you’ve got the perfect owner for them.”
“It isn’t a job, it’s just something we all love and do.“
For more information on Noosa’s RSPCA visit facebook.com/RSPCAnoosa/
