View RSPCA NSW’s policies regarding animal welfare and legislative issues.Home Who we are RSPCA Policies LegislationWho we areAbout RSPCA NSWLocationsSheltersBlue Mountains Shelter (Katoomba)Broken Hill ShelterCentral Coast Shelter (Somersby)Coffs Harbour ShelterHunter ShelterSydney Shelter (Yagoona)Illawarra ShelterOrange ShelterPort Macquarie ShelterVeterinary HospitalsSydney Veterinary Hospital (Yagoona)Hunter Veterinary Hospital (Rutherford)Tighes Hill Veterinary HospitalBroken Hill Veterinary HospitalCare CentresCare Centre TuggerahPetbarnAlexandriaBathurstBelroseBrookvaleCampbelltownCaringbahCastle HillCasulaChatswoodCoffs HarbourDouble BayDubboGladesvilleHoxton ParkKatoombaMittagongNeutral BayNewcastle WestNowraNorth ParramattaOrangePenrith Homemaker CentrePort MacquariePunchbowlRozelleRutherfordShellharbourStrathfieldTamworthWest GosfordWest RydeWetherill ParkMenaiNarrabeenBlacktownMarsden ParkBranches and Support TeamsAlbury Volunteer BranchArmidale Volunteer BranchBathurst Volunteer BranchBlue Mountains Volunteer BranchBroken Hill Volunteer BranchCooma Volunteer BranchCentral West Support GroupEurobodalla Volunteer BranchGlen Innes Volunteer BranchGoulburn Volunteer BranchGunnedah Volunteer BranchHunter Supporter GroupIllawarra Volunteer BranchInverell Volunteer BranchMudgee Volunteer BranchShoalhaven Volunteer BranchOrange Volunteer BranchPort Macquarie Volunteer BranchSydney Auxiliary Volunteer BranchTamworth Volunteer BranchTaree Volunteer BranchTenterfield Volunteer BranchUlladulla Volunteer BranchThe BoardStrategic PlanCareers at RSPCA NSWCommunityAnimal OperationsSupport ServicesFundraisingRSPCA PoliciesLegislationRSPCA PoliciesLegislationLegislationAs well as preventing cruelty to animals by enforcing existing legislation, the RSPCA also works to reform legislation and improve animal welfare.Animal welfare legislation is developed and administered at the state and territory level. In recent times, legislation has evolved to broaden its scope from simply prohibiting acts of cruelty to animals, to actively promoting the welfare of animals. This is reflected in the concept of ‘duty of care’. If you are in charge of an animal, you have a duty of care to that animal. Legislation FAQsWhat is the Australian legislation governing animal welfare?There are no national laws applying to animal welfare, but all states and territories regulate animal welfare in their jurisdiction. NSW legislation governing animal welfare is the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979.Where can I find out if certain animals are protected by animal welfare legislation?You can find out more at kb.rspca.org.au.How do I contact the government to ask for improvements in farm animal welfare?Most farm animal welfare issues are the responsibility of state and territory governments. If you are concerned about animal welfare issues, you can write to the Federal Minister for Agriculture responsible for farm animal welfare. Federal Minister for Agriculture The Hon David Littleproud MP Minister for AgriculturePO Box 6022 House of Representatives Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600P: (02) 6277 7530 E: David.Littleproud.MP@aph.gov.au
