RSPCA inspector Lionel Smith is like a child with a new toy.
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He now has a horse float, thanks largely to the generosity of the Albury RSPCA branch.
Branch president Arthur Frauenfelder and his colleagues had realised the importance of Mr Smith having the equipment to do his job.
In the past, Mr Smith has had to hire or borrow a float when it was required.
Now he has a state-of-the-art float, built to order by Chrisfloats at Jindera.
“It is a great donation which will provide me with transport for many different types of animals,” Mr Smith said.
“I had it made so the centre divider can be removed and I can transport a motorbike or quad bike in it.
“There are also barriers to separate dogs and it has a 75-litre water tank on top along with external lights for operational purposes.”
Mr Smith, who lives at Corowa, said the external lights were essential in case he had to work during the night.
“I have never had a float. It is something I use fairly regularly,” he said.
“Often I have to transport food like grain, chaff, dog and cat food somewhere.
“On one occasion, I had to take a pallet of tinned cat food to a location.”
Mr Smith said he often had to seize or transport horses, cows, dogs and other animals to provide them with veterinary treatment as quickly as possible.
He said the Albury RSPCA branch was one of the most progressive and vibrant in NSW.
Previously it has provided Mr Smith with three video cameras.
Mr Smith said they had been regularly used to get evidence of the mistreatment to animals and for electronic records of interview with those alleged to have committed cruelty offences.
The float was built by Chris Lustig, who produces about 120 of them each year at his business.