Section H – Miscellaneous

List of policies

H1	Fur or skin production (adopted 01/08/08)
	The RSPCA believes that there is no justification for the use of animals where the purpose of killing the animal is primarily to supply a non-essential luxury product such as fur or skin.
	See also: E5 Farming of wild animals   E6 Hunting of wild animals for sport
H2	Standards, codes of practice and guidelines (adopted 01/08/08)
2.1	RSPCA Australia supports the development of compulsory nationally uniform minimum standards for the welfare of all animal species commonly used, managed or controlled by humans. These should be supplemented where appropriate with best welfare practice codes or guidelines.
2.2	The development process should be overseen by government and must ensure that stakeholder input is balanced between industry, government and non-government organisations, including the RSPCA. Draft documents must be made available for public consultation prior to being finalised.
2.3	RSPCA Australia advocates the regulation and enforcement under state and territory animal welfare legislation of all minimum animal welfare standards developed through this process
H3	International issues (adopted 01/08/08)
3.1	RSPCA Australia supports the adoption of a Universal Declaration for the Welfare of Animals under international agreement through the United Nations.
3.2	Whenever possible, RSPCA Australia will protest to governments and embassies on matters concerning acts of cruelty to animals outside Australia. RSPCA Australia will support, in any lawful, practical way, welfare organisations in other countries that work to prevent such acts.
3.3	RSPCA Australia supports the work of the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) to prevent cruelty to animals and relieve animal suffering around the world.
H4	Export of animals from Australia (adopted 01/08/08)
	RSPCA Australia believes that live animals should only be permitted to be exported from Australia in the following circumstances:
	where the export is other than of live food animals for slaughter or further fattening (see F3 Export of live food animals)     transport is conducted in accordance with best welfare practice and conditions will not cause injury, suffering or distress     the available evidence indicates that the environment and culture at the final destination is such that there are reasonable grounds to expect that the animals will be treated humanely     there are adequate animal protection laws in the destination country and an active organisation with the legal authority to enforce such legislation.
	See also: F1 Transportation of animals – general principles   F7 Transportation of animals by air
H5	Domestic violence and cruelty to animals (adopted 14/10/05)
5.1	RSPCA Australia recognises the link between child abuse, domestic violence and cruelty to animals, and that cruelty to animals may be a precursor to other forms of violence.
5.2	The RSPCA will work to raise public awareness of this link and will collaborate with other agencies to identify and address cases of animal welfare and domestic violence. The RSPCA supports the development of systems for cross-reporting between the RSPCA, the police and relevant social welfare agencies.
5.3	The RSPCA, where resources allow, aims to protect the welfare of animals at risk through domestic violence by providing appropriate emergency care and support.
5.4	The RSPCA supports education programs, especially those for children, which promote the humane treatment of animals.

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