We provide written submissions during government consultation and to parliamentary inquiries and attend inquiry hearings to provide evidence. By collaborating with Ministers and Members of Parliament from all political parties, we strive to achieve impactful reforms that enhance the welfare and protection of animals throughout NSW communities.
When we’re not giving evidence or writing submissions for parliamentary inquiries, we’re exploring ways to advance animal welfare at a research and policy level.
Our team contributed to more than a dozen parliamentary inquiries in the last financial year alone. From providing insight into the hurdles facing professionals in the veterinary field to amendments to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979, we’re constantly looking for ways to improve animal welfare in NSW.
It is strikingly evident that there is a deficit in the number of veterinarians in NSW available to meet the demand for employment within the profession. This deficit is most visible in clinical practice settings where practitioners report working long hours, being unable to fill shifts, being booked out long in advance and, in some cases, temporary or permanent closures of practices due to staff shortages leading to large areas of NSW having no access to veterinary services at all.
Read RSPCA NSW submission here.
In August 2023, RSPCA NSW submitted several strategies to address a range of concerns facing council pound operations. These concerns revolved around the adequacy of funding allocated to local and state government pounds, the adequacy of buildings and facilities, welfare challenges facing animals in pounds, and more.
Read RSPCA NSW’s submission here.
Read RSPCA NSW’s response to the Committee’s Report here.
Despite the highly controlled and supervised research and testing environments, available research on the welfare risk of aversive training techniques like virtual stock fencing indicates that animal welfare risks are not just theoretical. Physical punishment can cause varying degrees of pain, fear, stress, anxiety, hypervigilance, and even physiological harm. For these reasons, there is a risk of causing harm when using aversive stimuli on animals. So, where animals can be handled, trained, and managed without aversive stimuli this should be the preference as there can be greater confidence that no harm is being done.
Read RSPCA NSW’s submission here.
Read RSPCA NSW’s response to the Committee’s Report here.
Management of feral and domestic cats in Australia is a long-standing and complex challenge. Effective cat management requires a high level of government and community support, and communication and coordination between all stakeholders; aspects which are often difficult to achieve and maintain over time. Critically, the different types of cat populations must be considered in any successful cat management policy.
Read RSPCA NSW’s submission here.
RSPCA NSW recognises the critical role pets play in enhancing the wellbeing of older people, offering companionship and emotional support, promoting physical activity, providing a unique sense of purpose, encouraging social inclusion, and providing an important pathway for referral to appropriate support services. Our submission responds to the federal government’s consultation paper on the Aged Care Act, advocating for integrating pet ownership within the aged care regulatory system and policies.
Read RSPCA NSW’s submission here.
RSPCA NSW advocates for integrating pet ownership within the Aged Care Rules (Service List) and highlight the need to promote and prioritise pet companionship in both home environments and residential care settings for older people. We refer particularly to the benefits to older people and their beloved pets in maintaining and supporting (including financially) those relationships as people age.
Read RSPCA NSW’s submission here.
RSPCA NSW supports the legislative intent of the new Puppy Farm Bill, which aims to strengthen the regulatory framework for dog breeding in NSW. The Bill’s stated intention is to regulate dog breeding, and the advertising of dogs for sale or other transfer and RSPCA NSW has always advocated for robust statutory protections for breeding animals in NSW.
While the move to regulate breeding is a positive step, this Bill falls short of properly and effectively promoting the welfare of dogs and cats and, in some areas, fails to protect cats altogether. Legislative protections must extend also to cats to address the welfare risks associated with intensive breeding practices.
Read RSPCA NSW’s response to the draft Bill in October 2024.
RSPCA NSW welcomes amendments to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (POCTAA) which prevents people convicted of serious cruelty offences from owning animals or working for a business that provides care to animals.
The Bill, known as ‘The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Prohibitions for Convicted Persons) Bill 2022’ successfully passed the NSW Parliament on Wednesday 16 November 2022 and will take effect from 1 January 2023.
Read RSPCA NSW’s response here.
We promise to uphold the highest ethical standards. Your personal information has never been, and never will be sold or traded to other charities. This is our promise to you.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we live and work. We recognise and respect the enduring relationship they have with their lands and waterways, and particularly acknowledge the vital role animals have played in Indigenous life, stories and culture for tens of thousands of years.
The RSPCA is an independent, community-based charity providing animal care and protection services across the country.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
The RSPCA is an independent, community-based charity providing animal care and protection services across the country.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
