About Us

The RSPCA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) is the voice for the animals of Australia. We defend their dignity and fight to stop cruelty. We offer shelter, education, medical attention and love. We are animal protectors, carers and guardians. We bring solace to abandoned, surrendered and injured. We prosecute those who would harm them. And we fight for the humane treatment of all living things. Our job does not stop at animals. We believe behind every animal is a human being who is in need of guidance, encouragement and help.

We have specially designed programs to assist the community to care for their animals. We look after the animals of domestic violence victims, the homeless, the elderly and the socially isolated. We offer community and schools education programs that are designed to promote empathy and understanding.

We receive less than 2% of our funding from the government and rely almost entirely on the goodwill of our loyal supporters and like-minded members of the community.

We believe in animals because they make our lives better and remind us what it is like to live humanely.

CONTENTS

- RSPCA Australia animals charter
- RSPCA Australia mission statement
- RSPCA Australia vision
- The objectives of the RSPCA in Australia are
- Five freedoms for animals
- Statement on the shelter and care of animals
- Board Members

RSPCA Australia animals charter

RSPCA Australia believes that animals must be treated humanely. Where humans make use of animals or interfere with their habitat, they should bestow a level of care befitting human dignity as rational, intelligent, compassionate beings, and a level of care merited by the nature of the animal as a sentient creature capable of responding to human care and attention. Such care should be marked by sympathy, consideration, compassion and tenderness towards animals.

RSPCA Australia believes that national and international adoption of set minimum standards of treatment and husbandry, and the observance of the following points, will enable all species of animals to live according to their behavioural needs as provided by a compassionate and responsible community:

1. Animals have an intrinsic value of their own and, accordingly, must be considered to possess the right to live in a way which enables them to have a positive life and to develop and enjoy their inherent qualities.
2. No animal should be used for the production of food or fibre, either by farming practice, transportation, or method of slaughter which in any way may cause suffering, injury or distress.
3. No animal should be used for sport or the entertainment of humans when such use may increase the risk of injury, suffering or distress to the animals, or is contrary to its nature.
4. Animals should not be used in direct combat, either one against the other or in warfare.
5. Animals should not be used in experiments which inflict pain or suffering upon them and which are not essential for the benefit of humans or animals. The use of animals should be replaced by reliable alternative techniques immediately they become available.
6. No animal should be used in excessive breeding programs or programs which produce deformed or weak offspring.
7. Domestic animals must be effectively protected from adverse weather conditions, predators and disease.
8. Domestic animals must be kept in such a way which will enable them to socialise, move freely, stretch, lie down, and have access to clean water, a suitable balanced food supply, and to prophylactic and corrective medicines.
9. Native animals and birds should be maintained safely in their natural environment and should be free from hunting, trapping and captivity. Culling may occur, but only when proven necessary for the preservation and benefit of the species. Culling must only be carried out under proper supervision and control.
10. Any animal suffering from disease, injury, or debilitation, must be given first aid or appropriate veterinary attention quickly. If the affliction cannot be cured, or if it involves permanent and serious disability, the animal must be humanely destroyed.
11. The State shall enact and enforce laws, regulations and codes for protecting animals from exploitation, and for ensuring that their basic individual needs are maintained at all times and that their environment is kept free from illegal or irresponsible intrusion.
12. The State shall also develop and implement suitable educational programs or ensure that human responsibility and their duty of care towards animals is taught in all schools and in the wider community.

Humans have an obligation to protect the interests of animals at all times. They should be encouraged to willingly accept this obligation. But, if they do not do so, then the force of the law should be used to ensure that all animals are treated humanely.

RSPCA Australia mission statement:

To prevent cruelty to animals by actively promoting their care and protection.

RSPCA Australia vision:

To be the leading authority in animal care and protection.

The objectives of the RSPCA in Australia are:

• To prevent cruelty to animals by ensuring the enforcement of existing laws at federal and state level.
• To procure the passage of such amending or new legislation as is necessary for the protection of animals.
• To develop and promote policies for the humane treatment of animals that reflect contemporary values and scientific knowledge.
• To educate the community with regard to the humane treatment of animals.
• To engage with relevant stakeholders to improve animal welfare.
• To sustain an intelligent public opinion regarding animal welfare.
• To operate facilities for the care and protection of animals.

These objectives are supported by a federation of member Societies known as RSPCA Australia, a Board and administration.

Five freedoms for animals

RSPCA Australia considers that the welfare of an animal includes its physical and mental state and that good animal welfare implies both fitness and a sense of well-being.

The RSPCA believes that an animal’s welfare should be considered in terms of five freedoms which form a logical and comprehensive framework for analysis of welfare within any animal use together with the steps and compromises necessary to safeguard and improve welfare within the proper constraints of an effective livestock industry.

1. Freedom from hunger and thirst: by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour.
2. Freedom from discomfort: by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.
3. Freedom from pain, injury or disease: by prevention through rapid diagnosis and treatment.
4. Freedom to express normal behaviour: by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal’s own kind.
5. Freedom from fear and distress: by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.

RSPCA Australia considers that these freedoms will be better provided for if those who have care of livestock practise:

• caring and responsible planning and management
• skilled, knowledgeable and conscientious animal management
• appropriate environmental design
• considerate handling and transport
• humane killing.

Statement on the shelter and care of animals

RSPCA NSW has its origins with the formation in 1824 of the RSPCA in Britain (which is not connected to RSPCA Australia).The RSPCA NSW was founded in Sydney in 1873. A full history of the RSPCA can be found at the RSPCA National website.

The RSPCA is a non-government organisation, which means that we are a charity that is not largely funded by the government to carry out its work. In fact, the RSPCA receives less than 2% in regular funding from the NSW Government and 0% from the Federal Government. It costs on average $34 million for the RSPCA NSW to operate each year. It is through our fundraising efforts and the generosity of the community that we are able to continue to operate.*

We work with local councils, state and federal governments and other interested groups—including community organisations, wildlife authorities, farmers and professional associations.

Our mission is to prevent cruelty to animals by actively promoting their care and protection. RSPCA NSW has Australia’s biggest squad of law enforcement officers dedicated to policing offences against animals. There are 30 inspectors on the road across NSW – 15 in the Sydney metropolitan area and 15 located in regional areas around the state.

RSPCA NSW has 12 Shelters (4 with Veterinary Hospitals) that provide comfort, accommodation and the best possible care to surrendered, neglected, unwanted, sick or injured animals. The RSPCA Sydney Shelter (in Yagoona) is the largest animal shelter in the southern hemisphere, caring for 900 dogs and 200 cats. They Sydney Shelter is also home to a variety of other animals including birds, rabbits, mice, sheep, cattle, goats, horses, pigs, guinea pigs, chicken and ducks.

There are also 27 Volunteer Branches who are the backbone of the RSPCA work in regional NSW. Each branch is run exclusively by volunteers and plays a vital role in foster care and finding permanent homes for animals, desexing programs, support, fundraising initiatives in their local community - and much much more!

The RSPCA will accept any animal offered into its care where it has the facilities, resources and legal capacity to do so.

Animals fit for adoption at our shelters and volunteer branches are advertised on www.adoptapet.com.au. All animals are behaviour-assessed, vaccinated, desexed and wormed before going to their new home. Dogs and cats are microchipped and dogs are heartworm tested before adoption. 

* A recent article in the Sydney Morning Herald found that the RSPCA NSW used just 8c in the dollar to raise over $20 million in funding. CLICK HERE to read the full article online.

Board Members

Our Board Members come from all walks of life. They are united in their commitment to animal welfare and the continuous work of the RSPCA.