Fears more stray cats and dogs face euthanasia after RSPCA dumps roles

936 ABC Hobart RSPCA General ManagerPeter West says the group has to drop some roles to survive.

There are concerns more stray cats and dogs will be euthanased in Tasmania after the RSPCA moved to dump some roles.

The animal welfare group has warned it may have to close unless it redefines itself and scales back responsibilities, including shedding pest control and stray animal management.

The group was also finalising an agreement to pass animal cruelty complaints involving large numbers of animals to the Department of Primary Industries for investigation.

Local Government Association Policy Director Katrena Stephenson said there were concerns more stray cats and dogs would be put down.

"It might mean there is more of a focus on humane euthanasia," she said.

"It may if there are less places in the pool to take on the re-homing, so by the RSPCA contracting, the other organisations may not be able to pick up the difference, that possibly it may lead to more euthanasia of animals."

David Peters from Dogs Homes of Tasmania said the more people who are involved in animal welfare, the better.

"If the RSPCA is no longer able to look after dogs, it would put more pressure on us," he said.

Mr Peters hoped councils would not put down more animals because of the changes.

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Fears more stray cats and dogs face euthanasia after RSPCA dumps roles