When we first met Simone, her heart was as full as her home. Sharing her small apartment in the Macarthur region with 28 cats (and at the time, several dogs too), Simone was doing everything she could to care for them. But between constant vet visits, the stress of unplanned litters, and the day-to-day demands of feeding and caring for so many animals, things had become overwhelming. Simone wasn’t failing her cats, she just needed support. Through our Keeping Cats Safe at Home program, we stepped in to work alongside Campbelltown City Council and Simone’s social worker to ensure she didn’t have to face this alone. Together, we provided practical, compassionate help: transporting her cats to and from veterinary appointments, supplying food during tough times, and most importantly, ensuring all 28 cats were safely desexed. That’s 28 lives changed and countless more litters prevented. One special girl, Shyllaw, needed urgent dental surgery. Thanks to the incredible generosity of a dedicated…

A Keeping Cats Safe at Home Update: Desexing in Action Across NSW   As both an RSPCA NSW vet nurse and Keeping Cats Safe at Home Desexing Coordinator for the Hunter region, I’ve witnessed first-hand how desexing pets and strays can turn desperate situations into stories of real and lasting progress. Desexing is not just a routine veterinary procedure: when complemented by collaboration and community support, it can be the turning point that completely alters the course of a cat’s life.   Across NSW, our team has been busy working alongside councils, veterinary clinics, community carers, and volunteers to trap, transport, and desex cats. Sometimes, our efforts take the form of coordinated large-scale operations. Other times, it manifests in something as simple as a conversation.    Desexing Starts with Community   Many of the cats we encounter are part of small neighbourhood colonies. These cats are often fed by locals who, despite caring deeply for their welfare, may not have the resources to organise veterinary care for so many cats. Empowering these carers to access desexing services is a huge part of what we do. Whether it’s helping organise appointments, providing traps, or transporting cats to local clinics, sometimes that little bit of support is all it takes to stop things from spiralling and…

Why Desexing Matters: Supporting Healthier Cats and Communities Desexing is one of the most important steps you can take for your cat’s health, wellbeing, and long-term safety. Beyond preventing unplanned litters, desexing offers significant health benefits, supports safer and calmer behaviours, and plays a key role in reducing the number of animals entering shelters and pounds. Understanding the full benefits of desexing can help cat carers make informed decisions that improve the lives of their own companions while supporting the wider community. What Is Desexing? Desexing, also known as sterilisation or neutering, is a surgical procedure performed by a qualified veterinarian to permanently prevent an animal from reproducing. In males, this involves the removal of the testicles, known as castration. In females, the procedure typically involves removing the ovaries and often the uterus, a procedure called spaying, which can be performed as an ovariohysterectomy (removing both ovaries and uterus) or an ovariectomy (removing just the ovaries). (Urfer & Kaeberlein, 2019)…

The Animals in Emergencies Conference, hosted by RSPCA NSW, is set to return on Wednesday, 10 June 2026 at our Sydney Adoption and Education Centre, bringing together a passionate community committed to protecting animals when disaster strikes. This year’s theme, Building Capacity before the Crisis, highlights a simple but powerful truth: preparation saves lives. By strengthening systems, improving coordination, and learning from past emergencies, we can significantly reduce the impact on animals and the people who care for them. The conference will once again unite animal personnel, emergency responders, and advocates who share a common purpose of improving outcomes for animals in times of crisis. What sets this conference apart is its strong focus on collaboration. It’s designed to bring the right people together, those who can share knowledge, challenge perspectives, and work together to create meaningful, lasting change. Attendees can expect: Expert-led presentations sharing best practices and real-world lessons Panel discussions featuring experienced voices from across sectors Networking opportunities…