21 January 2022

Did you know, along with rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals, RSPCA works tirelessly with government, industry and other stakeholders to promote better welfare outcomes for all animals in WA?  Last year, there were some very exciting milestones in this space. Find out a bit more about the biggest wins for animals in 2021 below.

1. Stop Puppy Farming laws pass

You might have heard about the State Government’s new laws to stop puppy farming. Well, they finally made their way through Parliament at the tail end of 2021 and can now be made into law! The changes will bring accountability and structure to dog breeding in WA, which has gone unchecked for far too long. Key pillars of the legislation include:

• the mandatory sterilisation of dogs by the time they're two years of age
• a registration requirement for anyone who wants to breed dogs
• a centralised registration system, and
  a requirement for pet shops to transition into adoption centres.

There’s no doubt we’ll see a drop in abandoned and neglected dogs once these laws come into effect—and that’s definitely worth celebrating!  Read more here.

 

 2. Animal laws poised for update

The Animal Welfare Act 2002 is the legislation RPSCA WA’s inspectors enforce day in, day out. It sets out what is legally defined as cruelty and neglect, and for a long time it’s fallen well short of the public’s expectations.  A few years ago, the State Government ordered an independent review of the Act, and RSPCA WA played an active role in this process. It was great news last year when the Government’s released its response to the review, and backed many important changes put forward by RSPCA WA. For example, the government agrees that owners who don’t meet a basic ‘duty of care’ for their animals should face legal consequences, and that the Act must recognise animals as living beings, able to feel and have positive and negative experiences. The impact of these updates for animals will be profound and felt across the board. We can’t wait to see them in action! Read more here.

 

3. Broome to get first ever inspector

In a massive first for RSPCA WA, last year we were able to commit to appointing a full-time inspector based in Broome! The new inspector will be on the frontline of animal welfare in WA’s north, responding to cruelty complaints and emergencies, while working with the community to improve the lives of pets and livestock in the region. Kimberley locals have been crying out for an inspector for many years, and we’re so excited to get the position up and running in the region soon. Watch this space!  Read more here.

 

 

4. Sterilisation support for pet owners

In 2021, RSPCA WA secured funding for a very exciting new program which will help cut the number of mistreated and unwanted pets in our community. Set to launch in the coming months, the Pilot Pet Sterilisation Program will deliver free microchipping, lifetime council registration and heavily subsidised sterilisation for pets of WA’s pensioners and concession card holders. Keep an eye on our website and socials for updates on when and where this important support will be available.

 

5. Pets in Crisis expands to regional WA

Did you know victims of family and domestic violence will often delay leaving out of concern for their beloved pets? RSPCA WA’s Pets in Crisis is a free service providing a temporary home for dogs, cats and pocket pets while their owner seeks refuge or safe accommodation of their own. The program started in Perth in 2017, and has so far helped nearly 200 animals! Thanks to a funding boost in 2021, the program will now be able to expand to the South West and Great Southern regions. Our inspectors in these areas say there is a desperate need for this kind of support, and will have a huge impact for pets and owners in need. Read more here.

Support from animal lovers like YOU makes it possible for RSPCA WA to advocate for meaningful change for animals across WA. Thank you.