$2 is a small price for the Government to pay for animal welfare

Western Australians have told us that animal welfare matters. The work the RSPCA is doing matters. The work we need to do – but aren’t able to do right now – matters too.

We have the plan, but we don’t have enough resources to turn that plan into action. The WA Government is supportive, but even our increased funding, to almost $1.2 million a year, won't stretch far enough. 

RSPCA WA needs $5 million a year over the next four years. That’s around $2 per person per year in this State. It’s a small price to pay.

Read our 6-point Plan

RSPCA WA has spent almost 130 years advocating and working tirelessly to improve animal welfare and prevent cruelty and neglect through education and providing guidance and support.

We are the only non-government organisation with the authority to take action where prevention fails, including seizing affected animals and prosecuting perpetrators of cruelty under the Animal Welfare Act 2002.

We want to build on those strong foundations and great legacy to make Western Australia a showcase for progressive and effective animal welfare.

We have developed a progressive six-step strategy that tackles some of the most pressing issues in WA. We need additional funding from the State Government to put the plan into action.

Our research shows there is strong community support.

We are seeking funding support of $5 million per year over each of the next four years to comprehensively lift animal welfare services in WA and extend them right around the State. At the equivalent of $2 per person per year, we believe it is a small price to pay to protect our animals, support our communities and build a more caring and compassionate society.

 

Why is the RSPCA asking for additional funding when there are other social and economic issues facing the State?

Because animal welfare matters – it matters to the vast majority of Western Australians and has a direct impact on the quality-of-life we enjoy.

Our animals – whether they are pets, livestock or wildlife – are part of the world in which we live. They sustain us physically and mentally.

We have a responsibility to do the right thing by those who cohabit our ecosystem and are defenceless against us.

Exploiting animals doesn’t make economic sense either. Valuable resources are wasted, animal rescue, institutional care and legal recourse come at an unsustainably high price. Research shows that high standards of animal welfare, as part of an efficient agriculture and food industry, pays big dividends.

The State Government budgeted $3.8b for policing and community safety this year—RSPCA WA received just $500k to police animal welfare. Another $5.5b was budgeted for education, but $0 to teach animal welfare in our schools and end animal abuse through generational change.  

 

Isn’t the RSPCA funded by Government?

Most people in WA think the RSPCA receives a lot more Government funding than it does – up to four times as much as we actually do – and they are only aware of half the services we provide.

It costs almost $9 million a year to run our operation, 90% of which we get from community donations, from services like dog training and Op Shops, or fundraising events like the Million Paws Walk.

Government has been contributing about 10% and is lifting its contributions as part of its 2021 election commitments. RSPCA WA is grateful for the increase but we need more if we are to meet the needs of metropolitan and regional Western Australia.

In the past four years alone, RSPCA WA has investigated 25,000 cruelty cases, cared for almost 30,000 animals of all kinds, and helped educate thousands of people through our school, community and online programs.

We have stretched our existing resources as far as they can go. 

Our Six-Step Plan      Ways you can help