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Our role Key issues News Support us Learn About Adopt

## Our role

The state and territory member Societies provide services to animals in need through their shelters and inspectorates. In the national office, RSPCA Australia works to influence animal welfare policy, practice and legislation across the country

Go to Our role

### Animal welfare science

- Identified research priorities

### Caring for animals

- Shelters and services
- Wildlife

### Farm animal welfare

### Public education

### Advocacy

### Enforcing the law

## Key issues

The RSPCA advocates for the welfare of animals across a number of industries, issues and platforms. Help from our supporters is important to progress change. Working together is key.

Go to Key issues

#### Farm animals

- Farmed Atlantic salmon
- Live sheep export
- Sheep mulesing
- Meat chickens
- Layer hens
- Pig farming

#### Sport, entertainment & work animals

- Horse racing
- Calf roping in rodeos
- Duck hunting
- Greyhound racing

#### 2025 federal election

- Priorities for the next Australian Government

Priority issue

On 1 July 2024, the Federal Government…

Live sheep export

## News

Here you'll find the latest news relating to the RSPCA's vital work, press releases on national events, education on animal welfare issues, animal welfare science updates and our very own podcast covering a range of current topics.

Go to News

### Blog

- Crocodile farming; luxury goods at a cruelty cost 25 Aug 2025
- Virtual fencing and animal welfare 19 Aug 2025
- The importance of desexing guinea pigs 5 Aug 2025
- Finding the right location for your reptile’s enclosure 5 Aug 2025
- Shark nets are maiming our marine life; it’s time to end the harm. 18 Jul 2025
- Understanding fleas and their impact on companion animals 1 Jul 2025

View all

### Media centre

- RSPCA selects new partner to deliver RSPCA Pet Insurance 1 Sep 2025
- The ‘Pyjama King’ Peter Alexander celebrates 20 years of RSPCA support with a one-day-only fundraiser 4 Aug 2025
- RSPCA Australia welcomes stronger protections for animals and victim-survivors of domestic and family violence 13 Jun 2025
- RSPCA extends a million thanks as the curtain falls on the Million Paws Walk 23 May 2025
- Final time for your pooch to add their paws to the Million Paws Walk 20 Feb 2025
- The annual RSPCA Animal Welfare Seminar kicks off tomorrow 18 Feb 2025

View all

### Podcast

- Season 4, Episode 9: Cat management 3 Jul 2025
- Season 4, Episode 8: Stories from the RSPCA Inspectorate 26 Jun 2025
- Season 4, Episode 7: Animals used in research 19 Jun 2025
- Season 4, Episode 6: Preventing dog bite incidents 12 Jun 2025
- Season 4, Episode 5: Animals caught in domestic violence 5 Jun 2025
- Season 4, Episode 4: An update on live sheep export 29 May 2025

View all

RSPCA welcomes inclusion of mandatory video surveillance in updated Animal Welfare Certification System

Read the media release

## Support us

Whether you're an individual or a business, there are multiple ways you can support the RSPCA

Go to Support us

#### For individuals

- Donate
- Volunteer
- Gifts in Wills
- Foster care
- Pet legacies
- RSPCA Lottery

#### For businesses

- Partner & sponsorship
- Workplace giving

#### National events

- Million Paws Walk
- Cupcake Day
- Rescue Run

Donate now to support your local RSPCA and make a difference to animal welfare across Australia

Donate

## Learn

The RSPCA aims to make evidence-based research accessible to the community, so that they can have confidence in the choices made when it comes to animal welfare.

Go to Learn

### Knowledgebase Offsite

- Animals in Research and Teaching
- Companion Animals
- Farm Animals
- About Animal Welfare
- Legislation
- RSPCA Policy
- Sport, Entertainment and Work
- Wild Animals

### Animal Welfare Seminar

- RSPCA Animal Welfare Seminar 2026
- RSPCA Animal Welfare Seminar 2025

### Animal Welfare Science Update

- Download our latest issue

### Education resources

- AWARE Teachers Portal
- AWARE Kids Portal
- Cheeky Chooks

### Resources for vets

- Veterinary guidelines for anaesthesia and pain management in cats undergoing desexing
- Keeping cats safe and happy at home

### Cage free and proud

### Choose Wisely

### Responsible sourcing

#### Key information

#### Domesticated animals

#### Non-domesticated animals

#### Aquatic animals

### RSPCA Approved Standards

RSPCA Animal Welfare Seminar 2026

Animal welfare in the digital age

Learn more

## About

The RSPCA is an independent, community-based charity providing animal care and protection services across the country.

Go to About

### Annual reports

### Annual statistics

### Board & governance

### Scholarships

### Join our team

### Our history

### Contact

Read our National Statistics

Compiled on a national basis by RSPCA…

Annual statistics

## Adopt

By choosing adoption, you’ll not only have the chance to make a friend for life, but you’ll be giving an animal a second chance and helping support the RSPCA.

Go to Adopt

### Adopting a dog or puppy

- Love is Blind

### Adopting a cat or kitten

- Safe and happy cats

### Adopting other animals

### Responsible pet ownership

- Desexing
- Microchipping

Visit the Adopt A Pet website

Make a difference to a pet’s life today.

Search Adoptapet

Cupcake Day

Grab your friends, family, colleagues or school mates because Cupcake Day is back!

- Our role

- Animal welfare science

- Identified research priorities
- Caring for animals

- Shelters and services
- Wildlife
- Farm animal welfare
- Public education
- Advocacy
- Enforcing the law
- Key issues

- Farm animals

- Farmed Atlantic salmon
- Live sheep export
- Sheep mulesing
- Meat chickens
- Layer hens
- Pig farming
- Sport, entertainment & work animals

- Horse racing
- Calf roping in rodeos
- Duck hunting
- Greyhound racing
- 2025 federal election

- Priorities for the next Australian Government
- News

- Blog

- Crocodile farming; luxury goods at a cruelty cost 25 Aug 2025
- Virtual fencing and animal welfare 19 Aug 2025
- The importance of desexing guinea pigs 5 Aug 2025
- Finding the right location for your reptile’s enclosure 5 Aug 2025
- Shark nets are maiming our marine life; it’s time to end the harm. 18 Jul 2025
- Understanding fleas and their impact on companion animals 1 Jul 2025
- Media centre

- RSPCA selects new partner to deliver RSPCA Pet Insurance 1 Sep 2025
- The ‘Pyjama King’ Peter Alexander celebrates 20 years of RSPCA support with a one-day-only fundraiser 4 Aug 2025
- RSPCA Australia welcomes stronger protections for animals and victim-survivors of domestic and family violence 13 Jun 2025
- RSPCA extends a million thanks as the curtain falls on the Million Paws Walk 23 May 2025
- Final time for your pooch to add their paws to the Million Paws Walk 20 Feb 2025
- The annual RSPCA Animal Welfare Seminar kicks off tomorrow 18 Feb 2025
- Podcast

- Season 4, Episode 9: Cat management 3 Jul 2025
- Season 4, Episode 8: Stories from the RSPCA Inspectorate 26 Jun 2025
- Season 4, Episode 7: Animals used in research 19 Jun 2025
- Season 4, Episode 6: Preventing dog bite incidents 12 Jun 2025
- Season 4, Episode 5: Animals caught in domestic violence 5 Jun 2025
- Season 4, Episode 4: An update on live sheep export 29 May 2025
- Support us

- For individuals

- Donate
- Volunteer
- Gifts in Wills
- Foster care
- Pet legacies
- RSPCA Lottery
- For businesses

- Partner & sponsorship
- Workplace giving
- National events

- Million Paws Walk
- Cupcake Day
- Rescue Run
- Learn

- Knowledgebase Offsite

- Animals in Research and Teaching
- Companion Animals
- Farm Animals
- About Animal Welfare
- Legislation
- RSPCA Policy
- Sport, Entertainment and Work
- Wild Animals
- Animal Welfare Seminar

- RSPCA Animal Welfare Seminar 2026
- RSPCA Animal Welfare Seminar 2025
- Animal Welfare Science Update

- Download our latest issue
- Education resources

- AWARE Teachers Portal
- AWARE Kids Portal
- Cheeky Chooks
- Resources for vets

- Veterinary guidelines for anaesthesia and pain management in cats undergoing desexing
- Keeping cats safe and happy at home
- Cage free and proud
- Choose Wisely
- Responsible sourcing

- Key information
- Domesticated animals
- Non-domesticated animals
- Aquatic animals
- RSPCA Approved Standards
- About

- Annual reports
- Annual statistics
- Board & governance
- Scholarships
- Join our team
- Our history
- Contact
- Adopt

- Adopting a dog or puppy

- Love is Blind
- Adopting a cat or kitten

- Safe and happy cats
- Adopting other animals
- Responsible pet ownership

- Desexing
- Microchipping

Contact Us

RSPCA Knowledgebase

RSPCA Approved Farming

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Search

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RSPCA Knowledgebase Report Cruelty Donate

Cupcake Day

Grab your friends, family, colleagues or school mates because Cupcake Day is back!

Home

# Poultry Standards and Guidelines

In July 2023, updated national Poultry Standards and Guidelines were finalised and endorsed by all state and territory Agriculture Ministers following a lengthy seven-year review process.

These Standards, when implemented, will mean significant improvements in poultry welfare, from better living conditions for turkeys and ducks to the long-awaited phase-out of battery cages for layer hens.

Learn more

Our role

## The RSPCA federation works collaboratively to make animals’ lives better

The RSPCA in Australia is a federation, with an RSPCA in each state and territory and RSPCA Australia as the national body. The RSPCA’s member Societies in each state and territory operate animal rehoming centres, investigate and prosecute animal cruelty complaints, advocate to improve the lives of animals, and educate the community on animal welfare and responsible pet ownership. In the national office, RSPCA Australia works to influence animal welfare policy, practices and legislation across the country.

Learn more about our role

Animal welfare science

RSPCA Australia uses peer-reviewed scientific research to inform our policies, positions and campaigns.

Caring for animals

RSPCA member Societies work hard to care for animals through rehoming animals, educating the public about responsible pet ownership, and, where possible, by supporting injured wildlife.

Farm animal welfare

Committed to improving the welfare of the millions of animals on farms across Australia.

Public education

Educating the public in best practice for caring for their pets and other animals

Advocacy

The RSPCA advocates for animal welfare improvements across a number of industries, issues and platforms.

Enforcing the law

RSPCA member Societies enforce state and territory animal welfare legislation through their Inspectorate functions.

Support us

## Your support is essential

Help animals across Australia. Your passion for animal welfare will be reflected in our dedication and hard work.

Learn more about all the ways you can support us

Donate

Donate to support the work of your local RSPCA

Partner & sponsorship

Partner with a nationally loved and trusted charity organisation

Workplace giving

Become an Animal Hero! through RSPCA’s Workplace Giving program

## The RSPCA receives thousands of animals every year in every state and territory in Australia

RSPCA Australia compiles national statistics on the number of animals received and cruelty complaints investigated. We also create and publish articles educating the community on animal welfare issues and animal care practices.

87,465

Animals cared for

In 2022-2023, the RSPCA cared for 18,778 dogs, 33,747 cats, 388 horses, 1,453 livestock, 6,424 small animals (such as mice, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, fish and ferrets) and 26,675 native and introduced wild animals.

58,923

Cases of cruelty investigated

In 2022-2023, the RSPCA investigated 58,923 cases of cruelty and made 237 prosecutions.

766

Knowledgebase articles published

The RSPCA Australia science team develops policy to help inform the public on best animal care practices, welfare issues across a range of sectors and the prevention of animal cruelty.

Adopt A Pet

## Adopt a pet

Every year, the RSPCA provides shelter to thousands of animals in need of a good home. By choosing adoption, you’ll not only have the chance to make a friend for life, but you’ll be giving an animal a second chance and helping support the RSPCA. Search for animals available for adoption and find out what you need to know before adopting.

Find out more about how to adopt a pet

Adopting a dog or puppy

Adopting a dog is a great way to give a dog or puppy a second chance by providing a loving home. Find out what you need to know before adopting.

Adopting a cat or kitten

Choosing to adopt a cat or kitten is an exciting time. However, there are many things to consider before adopting a pet to help ensure you’re able to properly provide the right care and attention to your cat or kitten.

Responsible pet ownership

Choosing the right pet for you is fun, but takes time, planning and lots of research.

Knowledgebase • Offsite

## Do you have a question about animal welfare?

Visit the RSPCA Knowledgebase for informed answers on a huge range of issues. The Knowledgebase features hundreds of evidence-based articles on animal welfare issues, responsible pet ownership, and the RSPCA’s policies and positions.


Knowledgebase • Offsite

Animals in Research and Teaching

Companion Animals

Farm Animals

About Animal Welfare

Legislation

RSPCA Policy

Sport, Entertainment and Work

Wild Animals

Latest News

## Our Voice in the community

Blog

Keep up to date about all things animal care and protection with the RSPCA Australia blog.

Media centre

View all our media releases and sign up to stay informed of breaking news

Podcast

Find out all things farm animal welfare, food and farming in Australia with our host Brian Daly.

RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme

### For 27 years, the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme has been improving the lives of Australia’s farmed animals.

The RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme is Australia’s leading independent certification scheme focused on animal welfare. We work closely with farmers to make a positive impact on the lives of Australia’s most intensively farmed animals by providing an environment that meets their needs. More than 5 billion hens, pigs, chickens, turkeys and salmon have benefitted from higher welfare conditions since the Scheme began.

Find out which brands have products with RSPCA Approved certification and learn about how together, we can improve the lives of Australian farm animals. Click here for the latest news.

Visit RSPCA Approved

### Stay informed on big issues and how you can help improve animal welfare across Australia.

Subscribe today and we’ll keep you updated on all the latest campaigns, events and news.

RSPCA Australia news, updates & campaigns

Animal Welfare Science Updates

RSPCA Approved news

RSPCA Media releases and alerts



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The RSPCA is an independent, community-based charity providing animal care and protection services across the country.

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National Partners

For their support, RSPCA Australia would like to thank our National Partners



RSPCA Pet insurance

Award-winning Pet Insurance for your furry family members

Our role

- Animal welfare science
- Caring for animals
- Farm animal welfare
- Public education
- Advocacy
- Enforcing the law

Key issues

- Farm animals
- Sport, entertainment & work animals
- 2025 federal election

News

- Blog
- Media centre
- Podcast

Support us

- Donate
- Partner & sponsorship
- Workplace giving
- Volunteer
- Gifts in Wills
- Foster care
- Pet legacies
- Million Paws Walk
- Cupcake Day
- Rescue Run
- RSPCA Lottery

Learn

- Knowledgebase
- Animal Welfare Seminar
- Animal Welfare Science Update
- Education resources
- Resources for vets
- Cage free and proud
- Choose Wisely
- Responsible sourcing
- RSPCA Approved Standards

About

- Annual reports
- Annual statistics
- Board & governance
- Scholarships
- Join our team
- Our history
- Contact

Adopt

- Adopting a dog or puppy
- Adopting a cat or kitten
- Adopting other animals
- Responsible pet ownership

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- Contact
- Privacy policy
- Terms & conditions

© 2025 RSPCA Australia. All rights reserved.