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

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
take action live sheep export alternate
Priority issue
Australia is closer than it has ever…
Live sheep export

Support us

Whether you're an individual or a business, there are multiple ways you can support the RSPCA
Go to Support us
An animal in the RSPCA care being cared for by an RSPCA vet
Donate now to support your local RSPCA and make a difference to animal welfare across Australia
Donate

About

The RSPCA is an independent, community-based charity providing animal care and protection services across the country.
Go to About
about us national statistics
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
adopt a pet logo
Visit the Adoptapet website
Make a difference to a pet’s life today.
Search Adoptapet
 
Domestic cat welfare is in the spotlight this week, with the RSPCA’s 2021 Animal Welfare Seminar, FELINE FUTURES, kicking off on Thursday. 
 
Held online over two afternoons (Thursday 18 and Friday 19 February), FELINE FUTURES will bring together government, industry, academia, animal welfare organisations, as well as the wider community, to share knowledge and experience about domestic cat management. 
 
RSPCA Australia Senior Scientific Officer Dr Sarah Zito said the online seminar was a chance to tackle some of the big issues around our relationship with our feline friends. 
 
“Domestic cat management is a complex and persistent challenge with a high degree of community interest,” said Dr Zito. 
 
“This seminar will bring together a range of stakeholders to discuss how we can achieve better outcomes – including the role of shelters, strategies for rehoming cats in need of homes, safeguarding feline welfare, protecting wildlife and public health, community education, and strategies for encouraging desexing, microchipping, containment and registration. 
 
“It’s important to recognise that when we talk about domestic cats, this includes not just owned cats, but also semi-owned cats (who might be fed or cared for by people who don’t consider that they own them) and unowned domestic cats who still have some interactions with humans and indirectly depend on them. 
 
“Any cat management strategies have to take into account all these different types of human-cat relationships.” 
 
The seminar builds on the RSPCA’s 2018 report, Identifying Best Practice Domestic Cat Management in Australia, which was produced following stakeholder consultation. The seminar’s theme is particularly topical at the moment with the release earlier this month of the House of Representatives Environment Committee’s inquiry report which was influenced by the RSPCA’s report. 
 
The year’s RSPCA Animal Welfare seminar is being held online for the first time due to the impact of COVID-19, with a range of speakers from government, academia and the not-for-profit sector – including two speakers from the University of California Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program, who are internationally recognised for their extensive experience in domestic cat management.   
 
“We’re thrilled to have such great speakers join us for this event, including internationally.” said Dr Zito.  
 
“Registration is still open and we encourage anyone with an interest in domestic cat welfare to join us.” 
 
More information about the seminar is available here.  
subscribe box

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.