News and Updates

RSPCA NSW is urging members of the community to help stop the spread of Canine Parvovirus (Parvo) and keep their pets safe after several cases have been reported this week.  Parvo is a serious and often fatal viral disease that affects unvaccinated dogs and puppies of any age. What is Parvo?  Parvo is highly contagious and spreads directly, or indirectly, through contact with faecal matter from infected dogs. Transmission may occur through direct contact with a sick dog, by sniffing an infected dog’s poo or licking/ eating off ground where a sick dog has previously been.   Parvo is especially dangerous because it can live for several years on the ground where a sick dog has defecated or vomited. As the virus is invisible, pet owners cannot know if a sick dog has previously been there. This poses an ongoing risk to dogs and puppies for many years.   Symptoms  The incubation period for Parvo is between four to six days after contact…

With summer now here, RSPCA NSW is urging pet owners to keep their animals in mind when it comes to emergency preparedness.  NSW’s diverse landscape means communities often face extreme weather events – heatwaves, drought, bushfires, storms, and floods. As guardians of animals, it’s our shared responsibility to keep them safe.  RSPCA NSW supports the community in many ways during emergencies, and we strongly encourage all animal owners to prepare an emergency plan but also take preventive measures on their properties to minimise risk and protect lives.  Planning ahead is a vital part of emergency preparedness and can significantly improve the chances of safely evacuating your animals during events like bushfires or floods.  That’s where RSPCA NSW’s Ready, Pet, Go! initiative comes in with 5000 free pet emergency starter kits being made available from December 1 with a focus on getting them to those that need them most.   These kits are limited to one per NSW household and includes:   Waterproof…

RSPCA NSW supports strengthening the regulatory framework for dog breeding in NSW. We continue to advocate for meaningful review of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 (NSW) to wholistically improve animal welfare, and to improve the lives of animals in NSW.   Animals in breeding establishments are particularly vulnerable, often kept in large numbers, and bred at rates not compatible with good animal welfare. RSPCA NSW has always advocated for robust statutory protections for breeding animals in NSW.  On 15 November 2024 the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Puppy Farm) Bill 2024, passed through the NSW Parliament.  The Bill amends POCTAA and other related legislation, and its stated intention is to regulate dog breeding, and the advertising of dogs for sale or other transfer, introduce mandatory requirements for breeder identification, and impose limits on the number of adult female dogs in dog premises.   Below is an overview of the first two phases of the Bill, the second of…

RSPCA NSW is proud to announce the opening of our new Equine Adoption Centre, a purpose-built facility designed to transform the way we care for, rehabilitate, and rehome horses across the state.  A major addition to the Hunter Shelter, this new development marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to horse welfare. With improved facilities, expanded paddock spaces, specialised stables, and advanced staff training, we are now better equipped than ever to help our horses recover, thrive, and ultimately find loving new homes.  The centre features two custom-designed stable blocks outfitted with:  Four stables with in-built veterinary examination rooms, a wash bay, horse crushes, and scales, allowing staff to more efficiently treat our horses while maintaining optimal hygiene.  13 spacious paddocks with connecting laneways, enabling the shelter to comfortably house more horses on site while still providing easy, safe viewing for potential adopters.  A specialised stable block custom-built for ease of entry to ensure safe intake and management of unhandled or unwell horses.  Two dedicated stallion yards that will enable us to safely and responsibly house stallions on site.  “Our Hunter Shelter has rehomed more than 60 horses in the last…

RSPCA NSW is thrilled to announce that Santa Paws is coming to an RSPCA NSW Shelter near you! On Saturday, 6 December, our shelters will be the centre of the most paw-some Christmas photo op of the year, so get your family and fur-friends ready to strike their best festive pose.  One of our most joyful annual traditions, Santa Paws brings pets and their devoted guardians together for a day filled with wagging tails, Christmas cheer, and adorable keepsake photos. Whether your companion is furry, feathered, or scaled, our experienced staff will be present to ensure it remains a fear free event, giving you and your pet the space to snap a picture you’ll treasure long after the tree comes down.  Whether you’re looking to light up your socials or craft the perfect Christmas card, this event will be the perfect chance to grab the heart-melting festive photo of your dreams. Digital photo packages start from just $20, with every dollar raised going directly to the animals in our care.   Spots for Santa Paws always fill up quickly, and bookings are essential. To secure your session at the Hunter Shelter or the Sydney Adoption Centre, it’s as easy as booking online here and paying on the day.  If you’re looking to snap your perfect Christmas pic at the Illawarra…

RSPCA NSW’s Illawarra Shelter will be temporarily closed to the public from Monday 17 November to Friday 21 November while essential roadworks are carried out on the main entry driveway.  During this time, there will be no public access to the shelter, including for adoptions or general enquiries. Normal operations are expected to resume on Saturday 22 November.  Thank you for your patience and understanding. 

Desexing guinea pigs is a common procedure that helps prevent unexpected babies and makes it easier for guinea pigs to live happily together. Also called neutering or spaying, desexing can reduce territorial behaviour, allow mixed-sex bonding, and support better long-term health when done by a vet experienced with guinea pigs.   Guinea Pigs Are Prolific Breeders Guinea pigs are “precocial”, which means they are born more mature and independent than baby animals of many other species. As a result, female guinea pigs become fertile from 4 weeks of age. This makes unplanned and unwanted pregnancies common. On top of that, guinea pigs are prolific breeders, typically having 2 to 4 pups per litter up to 5 times per year! And those pups can then go on to have pups of their own, and things can quickly get out of hand. Caring for that many animals is very difficult, which is why it’s recommended that you desex your guinea pigs. Talk to…

After 39 years of operating in the community, RSPCA NSW has made the difficult decision to permanently close our Tweed Heads Op Shop   A combination of factors has led to this closure, including the property requiring significant refurbishments that are not financially viable and safety concerns for staff and volunteers during interactions with members of the public.    We understand that this store has long been part of the Tweed Heads community, offering affordable goods and raising vital funds to support our animal welfare programs. We are sincerely grateful to all those who have contributed their time, care, and energy to the shop over the years.    Despite the closure of our shop, RSPCA NSW encourages the community to continue supporting local op shops in the area and to donate responsibly. Please avoid leaving donations outside our closed store and instead take them to one of the many nearby op shops still operating.    To all staff, volunteers, and supporters, past…

Phase two of RSPCA NSW’s Keeping Cats Safe at Home Project officially launched on Sunday 26 October at the RSPCA NSW Sydney Adoption and Education Centre.  The initiative started in 2021 as a pilot program supported by the NSW Government and its Environmental Trust with the aim of keeping cats healthy and happy at home, whilst also protecting native wildlife.   Cats threaten the survival of many native animal species through predation and are estimated to hunt close to two billion native mammals, birds, and reptiles in Australia each year.   We also know that two-in-three cat owners have lost a pet to a roaming-related accident, with a third of these involving cars.  During phase one of the Keeping Cats Safe at Home program, RSPCA NSW developed and implemented a holistic human behaviour change strategy to protect both cats and wildlife through partnering with 11 diverse NSW councils.   Key results from the pilot program include:  A reduction in free-roaming cats by…

RSPCA NSW is set to turn up the sparkle this November with our inaugural Drag Bingo Night, bringing together fabulous entertainment, prizes and community spirit to help animals in need.  Hosted by the glamorous drag queens, LayDee KinMee and June Richards, the event will take place on Friday 14 November at St Johns Park Bowling Club, offering guests a night of laughter, entertainment and surprises alongside bingo, a raffle and a silent auction.  Funds raised from the event will go directly towards supporting the thousands of animals cared for by RSPCA NSW each year. More than 11,073 animals came through our shelter doors in the past 12 months, that’s 30 animals seeking refuge each day.    “Drag Bingo is something brand new for us and we couldn’t be more excited to launch it,” said Ben Wilheim, Community Fundraising Manager at RSPCA NSW.   “We wanted to create a fun, unique night out where people can enjoy themselves with friends, family and…

With the warmer weather returning, RSPCA NSW has received an increase in calls from concerned residents about blue-tongue lizards appearing in backyards, gardens, and driveways.  Many fear they are dangerous (one was even recently mistaken for a baby crocodile!), lost or injured — but in most cases, these charming reptiles are doing just fine. In fact, having a blue-tongue in your yard is an honour, and great for the garden!  So why are there suddenly more blue-tongues around?  Blue-tongues are emerging from brumation, the reptile equivalent of hibernation, to bask in the sun and resume activity.   These reptiles are harmless and are unable to cause harm to humans or your pets. They aren’t venomous and generally only open their mouth, hiss, or bluff if they feel threatened. To avoid them having a nibble on your fingers, leave them alone (unless they are in imminent danger).   Leave them be  If a blue-tongue feels safe in your backyard, allow them to stay! …

With Halloween fast approaching, many of us are eagerly getting ready for a season of spooky fun. Although the festivities can give us the chance to flex our creative muscles, it’s important to remember to keep our companion animals’ lives scare-free.   Visits from strangers, crazy costumes, spooky decorations, and treats can all impact both wildlife and our beloved pets at home.   “It’s important to remember that animals don’t understand events like Halloween like we do,” says RSPCA NSW Chief Veterinarian, Dr. Liz Arnott. “While unfamiliar people, creepy costumes, and a higher volume of visitors aren’t generally concerning for us humans on days like Halloween, these encounters can be stressful and intimidating for many of our pets.”  Dr. Arnott urges pet guardians to keep their furry friends away from any trick-or-treaters paying you a visit. Aim to set them up in an area of the house where they feel safe and where you can create a barrier preventing them from rushing…

A husband and wife have been convicted of animal cruelty, after pleading guilty to four offences contrary to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 (NSW) (POCTAA). The charges followed the couple leaving their 12-year-old cat locked in a bathroom with no source of food or water for four weeks.  Appearing in Wollongong Local Court on 15 August 2025, the two defendants, were convicted, a six-month Community Corrections Order imposed and fined $9000 each. They were both disqualified from purchasing or keeping animals for two years. Animal care costs were awarded to RSPCA NSW totalling $2,388.    In facts tendered on sentence, the Court heard that in May 2025, an RSPCA NSW Inspector attended a property following a cruelty complaint about a cat being abandoned inside a house.  After two consecutive days trying to raise someone at the address and hearing a cat meowing from inside, a search warrant was applied for and granted at the NSW Local Court. The…

In early July 2025, an Upper House Inquiry was established to examine the Game and Feral Animal Legislation Amendment (Conservation Hunting) Bill 2025.   RSPCA Australia and RSPCA NSW provided a joint submission and gave evidence before the Committee, outlining our shared position that we do not support the Bill, which seeks to significantly alter the way recreational hunting has been regulated in NSW for more than two decades.  In the submission, RSPCA outlined five key reasons for opposing the Bill to amend the Game and Feral Animal Control Act 2002 (NSW), including:  It poses significant risks to public safety and animal welfare and significantly weakens safeguards necessary to regulate hunting in NSW.   By creating a statutory right to hunt, replacing restricted licences, expanding access to hunt on Crown land, and broadening access to prohibited weapons, such as night vision equipment and firearm suppressors, it poses serious risks to public safety and animal welfare.   By replacing restricted licences and turning them…

Last week our Emergency Response Team was out in the community at three events – The Hills Emergency Expo, the Hawkesbury Get Ready event, and the Ku-ring-gai Get Ready event. These events are all about engaging with the community on emergency preparedness, and our team was there to remind everyone to always include their animals in their emergency plans. Some highlights from the events: We had the privilege of being set up alongside the incredible volunteers from NSW SES and the RFS – it was truly inspiring to work alongside such dedicated organisations. Across the events, a range of emergency services shared vital preparedness information and live demonstrations to help communities stay safe. It was a real community atmosphere, with groups like the Girl Guides, plenty of furry friends, and even a few special guests – some miniature ponies!   We’re also excited to share that the Emergency Response Team is currently recruiting volunteers to join us in Byron Bay…

The TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS has officially been recognised as the 7th Abbott World Marathon Majors event, placing it in the same prestigious league as the Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City Marathons. This makes the Sydney Marathon 2026 one of the most sought-after running events in the world and an unforgettable experience for anyone passionate about running, fitness, travel, or giving back.  Join Team RSPCA for this incredible international marathon experience for YOUR chance to be part of history while making a life-changing difference for the thousands of animals waiting for their second chance.  Enter the Sydney Marathon 2026 ballot  The Sydney Marathon 2026 ballot is open from 24 September until 17 October. With last year seeing 80,000 entries with only 35,000 places available, demand is expected to be even higher this year.  Don’t miss out – enter the ballot here and auto-select RSPCA NSW as your charity of choice.   Become a Superstar and…

In October 2024, a Parliamentary Inquiry was established to inquire and report on the management of cat populations in New South Wales.   RSPCA NSW provided a detailed submission and gave evidence before the Committee, based on our extensive experience working on holistic, ‘One Welfare’ approaches to cat management that balance the interests of the environment, cats, and the people who care about them.   Thanks to the assistance of the NSW Environmental Trust, RSPCA NSW were able to trial a human behaviour-change approach to cat management – Keeping Cats Safe at Home – that proved highly successful. Keeping Cats Safe at Home combined targeted cat desexing programs, which directly addressed cat overpopulation, with an education and engagement campaign to increase cat caregivers’ knowledge and confidence in preventing their cats from roaming. The four-year project was associated with reductions in the free-roaming cat population, cat-related nuisance complaints to council, and reductions in council pound cat intake and euthanasia.  In our submission,…

RSPCA’s Cupcake Day is in full swing as animal lovers across the country get baking to help raise funds to support our rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming efforts.  In 2025, the annual fundraiser is as flexible as ever: participants can hold their event any time throughout September – anytime, anywhere, and with any sweet or savoury treats they most enjoy.  RSPCA NSW has already been blown away by some amazing contributions from some of this year’s Cupcake Day hosts.     Earlier this month, Leonie Bedford spent an entire day baking and took her delicious goods to a stall at the Blacktown Drive-In markets.  Despite having over 50 sweet treats on offer, she sold out by 9:35am and raised an incredible $640 in the process.  Having recently lost two of her own beloved pets, Leonie felt it was a ‘no-brainer’ to combine two of her greatest passions for a cause she believed in.   “I’d really like to inspire others to do the…

Research conducted by NSW Trustee and Guardian in 2023 showed that 60% of NSW residents do not have a legal Will document in place. For those of us with loved ones we want to support even after we’re gone, writing a Will is one of the most important things to tick off our to do list. It’s the only way to ensure that the people, animals, and charities you want to support when you die, can be supported by what you leave behind. Even if you feel you don’t have anything to give, a Will helps those you leave behind understand how you want to be remembered. Leaving a gift to RSPCA NSW in your Will is a beautiful way to ensure your love lives on. This September, you can Write your Will for free with RSPCA NSW and Safewill. A Legacy of Love: Real Stories from Gift-in-Will Supporters We’re deeply honoured to be able to share the heartfelt stories…

More than 11,073 animals came through our shelter doors at RSPCA NSW in the past 12 months, that’s 30 animals seeking refuge each day. These animals have been neglected, injured, or mistreated through no fault of their own.  Before an animal can take their first steps into a loving home, RSPCA NSW gives them the care and attention needed to start their new life on the right paw. Our dedicated teams ensure each animal receives vital health checks, desexing, microchipping, and vaccinations. For some, it’s also a journey of healing, with training, life-saving surgery and rehabilitation helping them overcome the challenges of their past.  Your generosity makes every procedure, every gentle hand, and every moment of patience possible, bringing an animal closer to the day you help them find their forever family.  You’ll be helping animals just like Buddy…  After arriving at our Central West Shelter, Buddy was severely neglected and underweight, needing urgent care. Too nervous around other dogs, he…