RSPCA NSW has launched its new ‘Towards 2040’ strategic plan, setting a long-term direction to strengthen animal welfare outcomes across the state.
The plan centres around prevention, early intervention, and community support, aiming to reduce animal suffering before crisis or cruelty occurs.
Delivered through a series of three-year strategic plans, ‘Towards 2040’ is built around key animal welfare pillars and clear priority goals.
- Safe: Keep 1,000,000 animals safe from crisis, harm, and displacement
- Healthy: Provide $100 million in accessible veterinary care and prevention for animals in need
- Thriving: Reach 5,000,000 people with education, advocacy and community action that improves animal welfare
To meet these targets by 2040, RSPCA NSW will focus on accessible veterinary care, hardship support, community-led prevention, targeted desexing and advocacy for lasting change. These priorities will help more animals stay safe, healthy and connected to the people who love them, so they can thrive together.
“Today, animals face increasingly complex challenges, yet too often they enter our care only after harm has already occurred,” RSPCA NSW CEO Steve Coleman said.
“This strategy marks a deliberate shift towards creating greater long-term impact. While protection remains at the heart of what we do, we know lasting change comes from intervening earlier, addressing root causes, building community capability and supporting people before situations escalate into cruelty, neglect or suffering.
“At its heart is a simple but powerful principle: Prevention is our priority. Protection is our promise.
“We are committed to building a future where fewer animals need rescuing because fewer animals experience harm in the first place. Our long-term goal is clear: By 2040, every person in NSW understands the needs and value of animals, and every animal lives in a community equipped to care for them with empathy, knowledge, and support.
“Achieving this future means expanding our view of animal welfare. It means advocating for companion animals, farm animals and wildlife, while working alongside government, industry, communities and individuals to create lasting change across NSW.
“This strategy builds on our proud legacy, while redefining the role we must play in the future.”
You can read more about ‘Towards 2040’, including RSPCA NSW’s strategic plan for 2027-2030 here.
