How do I report animal cruelty? Expand If you witness an act of animal cruelty, please call the RSPCA WA’s cruelty hotline on 1300 278 358. You can also complete an online report here. We ask you to provide as much information as possible, but rest assured, your details will remain confidential.
Who is RSPCA WA? Expand The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Western Australia (RSPCA WA) is a non-government, community based charity that works to prevent cruelty to animals by actively promoting their care and protection. We are a registered company limited by guarantee, and we're registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). You can find out more about us here, including what we do, our history and links to our annual reports.
What are RSPCA WA's goals? Expand Our vision is for communities free from animal cruelty. Our mission is to improve the welfare of animals and ensure they are treated with dignity, compassion and respect by providing leadership and quality services in collaboration with our stakeholders. Our work is guided by the Five Domains for Animals.
Why is RSPCA not a vegetarian or vegan organisation? Expand The RSPCA respects freedom of choice and diversity. Our key mission is to prevent cruelty to animals by actively promoting their care and protection. We aspire to educate and raise awareness on issues such as inhumane killing of livestock, responsible pet ownership, ethical consumer choices, etc. and we strive to collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders to achieve this. While the farming of animals for food and fibre continues, the RSPCA seeks to ensure that the conditions under which those animals live meet their physical and behavioural needs. The RSPCA believes we can help improve how farm animals are treated by getting involved in the process and constantly pushing for higher production standards along the supply chain. We do this at government, industry and producer level. The RSPCA encourages people who do consume meat, eggs, milk and other animal products to make a higher welfare choice, and to help them do this the RSPCA aims to ensure that higher welfare alternatives are readily available on the supermarket shelf.
What is RSPCA’s position on halal? Expand In Australia, the national standard for meat production requires that all animals must be effectively stunned prior to slaughter. The vast majority of halal slaughter in Australia (including at export abattoirs) complies with this standard, that is, all animals are stunned prior to slaughter. RSPCA is strongly opposed to all forms of slaughter that do not involve prior stunning of the animal. RSPCA Knowledgebase - What is Halal slaughter in Australia?
Why does the RSPCA WA euthanise animals? Expand Our main concern is always for the welfare of animals in our care, and their quality of life. Sadly, many of the animals who come in to RSPCA WA’s care are coming in as a result of a cruelty complaint. This means, they are often suffering from medical conditions, which require treatment from a veterinarian, or behaviour issues—often as a result of neglect and lack of appropriate socialisation. RSPCA WA vets have to make some very difficult and sad decisions regarding some of the animals who come into our care. Euthanasia is always a last resort, and considered only once every reasonable effort has been made to treat an animal’s medical condition or behavioural concern. Where an animal’s quality of life is compromised to the point that their suffering or distress can no longer be alleviated, or if they have demonstrated that they pose a significant risk to themselves, or other animals or people if released into the community, the most humane course of action might be euthanasia. Decisions around euthanasia are never made lightly. A panel of staff members meets regularly to discuss the animals in care, and to address any concerns about a particular animal’s health or behaviour. In some cases, an external specialist will be consulted as part of the decision-making process to ensure that all reasonable courses of action have been considered. RSPCA WA staff and volunteers work with these animals every day, trying to help them recover from their ordeals. Having to make the difficult decision about ending an animal’s life has an emotional impact on everyone at RSPCA WA. For many of the animals whose lives end with us, our staff and volunteers may be the only people who’ve ever really shown them love and compassion.
How is RSPCA WA funded? Expand RSPCA WA is a non-government, community based charity. We rely on the generous support of the community to survive. More than 90 per cent of the funding we need to carry out our animal protection work comes from the community. Less than 10% of our funding is provided by a grant from the State Government. The government funding we do receive is allocated to cover a portion of the costs of enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act 2002 and education on companion animals. We are so thankful to the generous and caring individuals and organisations who donate so we can continue helping animals through caring for animals in our shelter, rehabilitation and finding new homes for them, keeping Inspectors on the road responding to cruelty reports, foster care and volunteer programs, and community education to continue to improve the lives of all animals, great and small. Read about our impact on animal welfare.
Why doesn't RSPCA push for harsher penalties in prosecution cases? Expand RSPCA WA Inspectorate is authorised to protect animals from cruelty and neglect by enforcing the existing law within the framework of the Animal Welfare Act 2002. The role of the RSPCA is to bring these cases to court for consideration by a magistrate. As with any crime, it is the judicial system that decides the penalty they believe is suitable for the crime, based upon the facts presented. The maximum penalties for animal cruelty, prescribed under Section 19 of the Animal Welfare Act 2002 in WA include a maximum jail sentence of five years and a maximum fine of $50,000. The magistrate may also order an offender to reimburse legal, veterinary care or other costs, and may also apply a prohibition from owning, being in control of, or having any contact with animals for a period of time. Read the Animal Welfare Act 2002
What should I do if I see a dog in a hot car? Expand We encourage you to attempt to get the owner back to the car as quickly as possible (i.e. in a shopping centre get centre management to page the owner of the vehicle noting the registration number) to let the animal out. If this is not possible, please contact RSPCA WA on 1300 278 358 or the Police on 131 444. Alternatively, you can call the local Ranger. If the dog is visibly distressed, stay with the vehicle and monitor the dog until help arrives. Dogs in Hot Cars
Where can I find out what RSPCA's position is on certain animal welfare issues? Expand RSPCA Australia’s Knowledge Base is an informative online resource that contains a wealth of information on a wide range of animal welfare related topics and issues. Visit the RSPCA Knowledge Base