A gentle, step-by-step guide to helping your cat feel safe, settled and secure  Whether it’s your first cat or a feline friend you’re introducing to a brand new house, bringing a new cat home is an exciting moment. But for some cats, arriving in new environments can feel overwhelming. Unfamiliar spaces and smells, different people, and unexpected sounds can all trigger uncertainty. Cats are creatures of habit, and they rely heavily on predictability and control to feel safe.    The good news is that, with the right approach, most cats can settle in well and learn to feel comfortable in their new surroundings. The key is moving at your cat’s pace, meeting their needs, and creating an environment where they feel secure, in control, and able to make choices. Whether you’re bringing a cat home for the first time or helping them adjust after a move, these principles remain the same.  Start with a Safe, Separate Space  When your cat first arrives home, it’s important to resist the urge to give them full access to the entire house straight away. Instead, set up a quiet, enclosed “safe room” where…

A woman from Western Sydney has been convicted of two offences contrary to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 (NSW) (POCTAA) following the seizure of two Maltese dogs in September 2025.   The defendant was sentenced at Windsor Local Court on March 26, 2026, after earlier pleading guilty to two charges of failing to provide veterinary treatment for dental disease and flea infestation, and poor body condition and matting, respectively. She was convicted and sentenced to a 12-month Conditional Release Order, ordered to forfeit all animals in her care except for one cat, and disqualified from owning or otherwise caring for animals for five years with the same exception. Animal care costs were awarded to RSPCA NSW totalling $13,709.   The woman was already known to RSPCA NSW when an inspector attended her property in September 2025 in response to a report about a Maltese dog in poor body condition with matted fur.   Upon the inspector’s arrival, the woman presented two Maltese dogs that were both in poor body condition with hips, ribs and spines protruding. The fur of both dogs was also heavily matted with patches of fur missing from their backs.   Both dogs were heavily matted and visibly underweight.  The woman told the inspector that the dogs had not been to the vet…

What is panleukopenia?  Feline Panleukopenia (FPV), also known as feline parvovirus, is a highly contagious virus. It is similar and closely related to parvovirus in dogs. However, dogs can’t catch it from cats. What are signs of panleukopenia?   Common signs of infection include very low energy, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever, and (sometimes bloody) diarrhoea. Diarrhoea can range from mild to potentially life-threatening, which is why it’s important to monitor your cat and seek urgent veterinary treatment if you observe your pet presenting with any of the symptoms above. The incubation period is between two and 14 days. This is the time frame between the cat’s contact with the virus and the appearance of clinical signs. Cats can shed the virus into the environment two to three days before they show symptoms. This means infected cats can infect others before they show signs that they are sick. Symptoms of the virus (see above) are usually visible five to seven…

RSPCA NSW is teaming up with Happy Staffy Co this May to help find homes for staffies ready for adoption.   Over the last 12 months, over 400 staffies have been successfully adopted from RSPCA NSW shelters and found their happy ever after.  Staffies are one of the most popular dog breeds in Australia due to their loyal nature and love for people.    Sadly, a number do end up in RSPCA NSW shelters for a range of reasons and unfortunately some staffies can end up waiting far too long for their forever homes.   Ghost is one of our current staffies available for adoption and he has been waiting over 500 days for his forever home. The five-year-old is described as an affectionate goofball with a real love of toys and being able to stretch out in the sun or on the sofa.   Wilson is another staffy that has been at RSPCA NSW for hundreds of days now and patiently waiting for the right person to come along. While the 10-year-old is missing a leg, he’s still got so much love to give and just needs the right home to call his own.   As with any…