Masterton's Lily Qualtrough, 7, with huntaway-beardie cross Bob, one of the first rescued animals at her family's informal animal rescue centre, "The Q's Zoo". It was set up after the SPCA's Masterton centre closed in May.

The operators of a Masterton home "zoo" are looking forward to relief from a deluge of abandoned animals, as Wairarapa's troubled SPCA gets back on track.

Wairarapa members decided at a meeting on Sunday to let Wellington SPCA take over the administration of its branch from January, Wellington SPCA chief executive Steve Glassey said.

The Masterton animal shelter closed and the Wairarapa SPCA has been under the administration of the national body since May this year, after its committee resigned.

The branch's animal inspector, Lloyd Warren, was suspended on full pay in June 2014 over an employment dispute, which has since been resolved.

He and others involved with the centre were reported in local media as disputing how donations to the branch were spent.

Glassey said the one-year trial agreement would involve the return of an animal welfare inspector to Wairarapa, based in the existing premises, as soon as one could be recruited.

There were no immediate plans to re-open the shelter, although it could happen eventually, depending on donations and other factors.

"The focus is on animal welfare, not bricks and mortar."

The co-manager of a makeshift home "zoo" set up to care for unwanted or abandoned animals after the closure, Juliet Qualtrough, said the decision was a "huge relief".

"Once the centre closed the influx of animals coming to us was at a point we just couldn't sustain."

With husband Hamish, the former SPCA animal welfare inspector had cared for and rehomed hundreds of dogs, cats and other animals people had dropped off at their home near Masterton.

She hoped the news meant animal lovers could move on from the closure of the centre and subsequent financial disputes.

"People feel quite bitter about the way things were handled here, when it call started to turn to custard."

The new agreement takes effect on January 11, and any welfare complaints will be taken at Wellington SPCA's call centre.

Donations to Wairarapa SPCA could be made by calling Wellington SPCA on 04 389 7387 and asking for the donation to be tagged for Wairarapa.