I've made an official cruelty report. What happens now?

Based on the information you have provided to us, all animal cruelty reports are immediately prioritised into one of four categories:

1. Critical Cases – where the welfare of the animal is severely compromised and there is an URGENT need to alleviate pain and suffering. We try to respond to these as soon as possible and these cases take priority over all other duties.
2. Major Cases – where the welfare of an animal has been or may be severely compromised and there is a need to take TIMELY ACTION to avoid pain and suffering. We respond to these cases as soon as practicable, usually within 72 hours.
3. Secondary Cases – where indications are that the welfare of the animal is only marginally compromised or where the incident is of a LESS SERIOUS NATURE. We respond as soon as practicable, usually within 7 working days.
4. Minor cases – where indications are that the welfare of the animal is not compromised and where the incident is of a LESSER NATURE. Action may involve local knowledge, a visit when in the area, telephone contact or no action at all.

RSPCA WA Inspectors enforce Western Australian Government legislation – the Animal Welfare Act 2002 – which specifies legal definitions of suffering and ill treatment. In some cases, these legal definitions can be quite different from what the community accepts as proper standards of animal care. Unfortunately, we have no legal power to enforce our policies, only the legal requirements of the Act.

Even if we’re unable to take legal action, RSPCA WA Inspectors will always attempt to educate owners and make recommendations about how to better care for their animals.