A Turning Point for Remote Animal Assistance

Remote Animal Assistance (RAA) has saved over 300 lives in just 2.5 years — an achievement that means the world to our team and supporters. But the time has come to face a heartbreaking truth: our current model, focused solely on rescue and rehoming, isn’t enough. For every dog we save, dozens more suffer unseen. We’re helping less than 2% of the animals in need across remote Far North Queensland. It’s time to fix the leaking roof, not just mop the floor.

We’re now calling on our supporters to help us fund a critical shift in how RAA operates — one that focuses on long-term solutions to systemic overpopulation, under-resourcing, and the cycle of suffering.

Our Rescue Operations Manager is stepping down, and while we’re fortunate to have secured short-term funding to replace her, our strategic initiatives remain completely under-rescourced.

That’s why we need to raise $16,000 immediately to fund a new Development Officer for three months. This role will focus entirely on building our systems, fundraising, grant writing, government engagement, and ultimately, on helping us tackle the root causes of animal suffering in remote communities.

Even if this goal is met, we’ll need to reallocate general fundraising for rescue intakes towards our foundational operations, and shift to a donation-per-animal model for the next three months. It’s a difficult decision, but a necessary one if we want to create lasting change.

We also have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: a highly experienced consultant — a former CEO and COO — has offered to work with RAA for three months at a heavily discounted rate. He’s helped secure over $60 million in funding for regional development, led animal welfare initiatives with Greyhounds as Pets and the RSPCA, and created award-winning campaigns. His offer is conditional on the timing of a separate Government contract, which he’ll confirm on April 24th. If he’s available, we’ll need to raise an additional $25,000 to bring him on board.

Even if these goals are met, we still need to build a sustainable future. To maintain our rescue and strategic teams and support current intake levels, we’re facing a $21,640/month operational shortfall. We’ll need recurring donors and long-term supporters to help us meet that challenge.

In short, here’s the plan:

Raise $16,000 now to hire a Development Officer — this is priority one.

Then, begin accepting:

- Donations for individual animal rescues;

- Pledges toward the $25,000 consultancy opportunity;

- Recurring donations to close our ongoing monthly funding gap.

RAA is at a crossroads. With your help, we can shift from surviving to strategically solving the problems our communities and animals face. The next three months are pivotal — and we’re asking you to stand with us as we transform Remote Animal Assistance from a crisis response charity into a driving force for long-term impact.