News and Updates

Please be advised this article contains descriptions of violence and abuse against animals and people. If you are experiencing violence and need help you can call: 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 for 24/7 counselling, information and support OR NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63 for 24/7 information and support Domestic Violence Prevention Month is held every year in May. At RSPCA NSW, we work to raise community awareness of domestic violence and its impacts and reinforce our message of intolerance towards domestic and family violence (DFV). DFV is a major health and wellbeing issue affecting Australians of all ages and backgrounds. Unbeknownst to many, companion animals can also experience this same abuse. For many experiencing DFV, animals can be a rare source of comfort, love and safety. They are often valuable members of the family, especially for children experiencing abuse. However, many animals suffer abuse first-hand or are made to witness violence towards their human family. Companion…

This National Volunteer Week, we would like to celebrate and acknowledge all the incredible volunteers at RSPCA NSW! Our volunteers are one of the driving forces of what we accomplish for animals in need and, while we are grateful for them every day, we would like to take a moment to honour their inspiring contributions!   National Volunteer Week is Australia’s biggest annual celebration of volunteers, running from the 15th– 21st of May with a poignant theme to score the year. In 2023, we celebrate ‘The Change Makers’, a theme inspired by our volunteers, working tirelessly every day to improve countless animals’ lives.   Over the last financial year our incredible 3,014 volunteers donated 224, 253 hours allowing thousands of creatures, great and small, to get the care, love and protection they need.   Volunteer Spotlight One of our incredible volunteers, Jenn, has been with us for more than three years now, spending her Saturdays responding to enquiries with our…

RSPCA NSW believes that people belong with their pets. The bonds between people and their animals make for stronger, healthier communities but, far too often, financial hardships and other obstacles get in the way. Hurdles like illness, poverty, and a shortage of pet-friendly housing can make caring for an animal seem like a risky, expensive strain. They can force even devoted pet owners to consider surrendering their beloved animals to a trusted rescue group or their local animal shelter. But keeping pets in the homes they have is often the best outcome for all – this is why keeping people and pets together is what RSPCA NSW strives to achieve. RSPCA NSW’s volunteer branches and supporter groups have been hosting People and Pet Community Days across the state. Focused on encouraging people to check in on their pet’s wellbeing and health, the most recent of these events have made for wonderful community days. In April, our Eurobodalla Branch hosted their…

REDUCED PRICE ADOPTIONS  – SATURDAY, 6 MAY TO SUNDAY, 21 MAY! We have some great news to share – thanks to the love and support from the community, so many of our incredible animals have found their forever homes since our last update. We’re thrilled to see so many happy tails moments happening! However, we still have many furry friends who are waiting patiently for their chance at finding their own loving family. These animals are so deserving of a warm, safe home, where they can share their love and bring joy to their new family’s lives. That’s why we’re reaching out to the community once again to help us find these amazing animals their forever homes. To help get more animals out of our shelter and into loving homes, we’ve decided to reduce our adoption prices by 50% starting from this Saturday. We believe that every animal deserves a loving home, and that financial circumstances alone are not a…

We need your urgent help and compassion for our furry friend, Hugo. We urgently ask for your help in making Hugo's surgery possible. Surgery is scheduled for Monday, so your timely contribution is crucial. Please consider donating to Hugo's surgery fund and be his hero.

Currently, landlords in NSW can refuse to allow a tenant to keep a pet without providing a reason unless it’s an assistance animal.

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.

Expressions of interest are now open to study ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care with RSPCA NSW.

Amendments to the Animal Research Act (1985) passed by the NSW Parliament today,  which will give cats and dogs used as research the right to be released into family homes, have been welcomed by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals New South Wales (RSPCA NSW). 

Weddin Shire Council, together with Lachlan Valley Vets on 11 October 2022 successfully desexed 100 cats as part of their strategy to address the overpopulation and welfare of cats in their local council area.

Our community of staff and volunteers at RSPCA NSW are incredibly sad to hear about the passing of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. During her 70-year reign, The Queen displayed love and kindness towards all creatures, great and small. She had a passion for horses, and adored being in the company of her beloved Corgis. Her Majesty was a Patron of several animal charities, including the RSPCA in England and Wales. The RSPCA received royal approval in Australia in 1923, becoming known as the Royal Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. As an organisation, we are proud of our royal heritage and rich history. We would like to thank Her Majesty for her commitment to animal welfare, and for showing the world how loyal and special the bond between animals and humans can be. Today, we join the community in sending our deepest condolences to the Royal Family and to the people of the United Kingdom. May she…

RSPCA NSW is calling dog lovers to open their hearts and homes, and think big, this International Dog Day.

RSPCA NSW is distributing pet supplies and providing free veterinary advice to flood-affected communities across NSW.

The RSPCA NSW Behaviour and Rehabilitation Centre (BARC) has successfully rehabilitated a record number of pets, and adoption fees have been reduced this weekend for all dogs to help them find their forever homes and make space for more animals in need.

The NSW Legislative Assembly today passed the Companion Animals Amendment (Rehoming Animals) Bill 2021 in an important first step towards further safeguarding impounded animals across the state.

Tips for keeping your pets safe through New Years’ Eve fireworks.

We’re investing in surrender intervention, starting with the problem of drop boxes  Surrendering a pet is always a difficult decision. We have learned a lot about the reasons why people choose to surrender their pets. In fact, most people love their pets and would prefer to keep them. Surrendering them is usually a last resort.   At RSPCA NSW, helping people to help animals is what we do. For us to provide better care for animals in need, and promote responsible pet ownership in the community, we need to rethink surrender intervention. To start, we’re removing overnight cages or ‘drop boxes’ from our shelters.  What are drop boxes?   Drop boxes were introduced as a strategy to deal with unwanted animals. The idea was to give people the opportunity to ‘drop’ unwanted animals at a shelter without shame, and without breaking the law, outside of shelter open hours, giving the animal a place to stay overnight. In NSW under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, abandoning an animal is a cruelty offence and anyone who does this can be charged.  What’s the problem with drop boxes?   While the idea was to address the issue of animal abandonment,…

Members of the public who are double vaccinated will be able to visit RSPCA NSW shelters from today, Tuesday 25 October 2021. This announcement has sent tails wagging across the state as our animals look forward to meeting their potential forever families. RSPCA NSW remains committed to taking the necessary steps and following the health advice of the NSW government regarding the COVID-19 outbreak. To maintain the safety of our animals, employees, and the community, RSPCA NSW will continue utilising online application forms as part of our adoption process. To find your new companion, we recommend first searching our website for animals available for adoption and then completing an online adoption form. Our experienced adoption teams will then review your application and contact you to discuss your lifestyle, experience, and the needs of the animal to make sure you are a great match. If successful, our team will allocate a meet-and-greet appointment at the selected shelter for you to bond with your new friend and process the adoption. RSPCA NSW Shelter locations: ·       Sydney (Yagoona) ·       Hunter (Rutherford) ·       Illawarra ·       Blue Mountains (Katoomba) ·       Coffs Harbour ·       Central West (Orange) For the latest updates about our Tuggerah…

On Monday the 25th of October our shelters will be reopening again to the public and after months in lockdown, we are in need of some particular products for our furry friends! Tricks for Treats will be running from the 25-31st of October at your local RSPCA NSW shelter or care centre.  Please see below for what items your local shelter is in need of:  Central Coast Bedding  Toys  Shell pools  Trampolines  Coffs Harbour  Blankets and sheets Dog treats  Toys Towels  Peanut butter/ vegemite  Medium-sized cardboard boxes Illawara  Bedding Toys Food for impound  Blue Mountains  Dog treats including pig ears, dried kangaroo trachea, plain sausages Toys, particularly squeaky ones  Newspaper Shell pools  Trampolines  Glass reptile enclosures  Central West & Sydney The Central West and Sydney shelters will appreciate any donation and are not after particular items at this time.   Animals around NSW receive the care and protection they require every day thanks to the generosity of individuals like you.  Your…

RSPCA NSW is saddened to hear about the passing of former Corrective Services NSW Commissioner Ron Woodham. Mr Woodham served the New South Wales community for 46 years and was an instrumental part of launching the RSPCA NSW Pet Rehabilitation Program in 2010. RSPCA NSW CEO Steve Coleman said the people and animals of NSW had lost a great friend. “Ron Woodham’s legacy will be remembered by all who met him and were fortunate enough to be a part of the dog rehabilitation program. Over the past decade, close to 1400 dogs and 150 inmates have found hope thanks to the partnership he helped build.” “He was tough on the outside, but animals always balanced him” Ron will be sorely missed by everyone at RSPCA NSW.