Animal Management Program

At the EARC Animal Management Program (AMP), our main focus is to improve the lives of companion animals and people in our nine communities. We strongly believe in the connection between human, animal, and environmental health, following One Health principles. To achieve our goal, we have three main areas of focus: veterinary services, education, and community consultation.

Dr. Madeleine Kelso serves as the Veterinarian/Animal Control Manager for the EARC Animal Management Program. With a strong belief in community consultation and empowerment, Dr. Kelso and our team of veterinarians, veterinary nurses, and local staff work together to provide a range of services.

Veterinary services: Our program offers subsidised veterinary care, remote consultations, and animal management assistance. Subsidised services include consultations, surgical procedures like spaying and neutering, parasite control, and humane euthanasia for severely ill or unwanted animals. Prior to any treatments, we always seek to obtain informed consent from the animal's owner or caregiver.

Education: Community education forms a crucial foundation of our program, driving ongoing improvements to animal welfare. Our team conducts school-based education, staff training, and door-to-door education for pet owners. We cover topics such as animal empathy, understanding parasites and their impact on environmental health.

Animal control: We actively address the need to control dangerous dogs and combat companion animal overpopulation. Through extensive community consultation, we have drafted new animal management policies, currently in the form of By-Laws. Once implemented, these By-Laws aim to improve the health and safety of all community members.

We are proud to provide remote veterinary services to all EARC communities, ensuring access to care even when the veterinarian is not physically present. If community members have concerns about their animals or wish to be added to the waiting list for the next veterinary visit, we encourage them to visit their local EARC office.

Key services provided by AMP

• Delivery of veterinary services three to four times annually to all East Arnhem Regional Council communities
• Remote consultations with pet owners via community EARC staff
• Promoting responsible pet ownership through education and community consultation
• Community consultation and education where required in relation to animal control issues
• Supporting other Council functions such as Workplace Health and Safety in relation to animal control issues
• Collaborations with other Stakeholders in communities where mutual goals align; including ranger groups, health clinics, schools, private enterprise and land councils.
  

Animal Management Schedule 2024

Vet treatments

First aid veterinary treatments are offered at all EARC offices. If your pet is unwell or injured, please either:

• Visit your nearest EARC office

OR

• Call the main EARC office at 89868986.
  

Publications & resources

Dr Maddy has written an in-house ‘Veterinary Guide to Working in East Arnhem Regional Council communities’ to assist EARC Animal management staff provide culturally and medically appropriate veterinary services in our communities.