| 7.1 | Any approach to the management of companion animals in the community (including government policy) must maintain a balance between the need to protect the health and safety of humans and other animals (including wildlife) and the need to ensure the welfare of companion animals. |
| 7.2 | Any companion animal management program must adopt a holistic, strategic, and humane approach. It should aim to:
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| 7.3 | The RSPCA believes that companion animal management is a joint responsibility of state/territory and local government. |
| 7.4 | The RSPCA encourages the funding by government of effective companion animal management and education programs on responsible companion animal ownership and living safely with companion animals. See also: Policy GP1 - Good animal welfare Policy GP3 - Standards and guidelines, and codes of practice Position Paper A1 - Control of dangerous and menacing dogs Position Paper A2 - Adoption guidelines Position Paper A5 - Responsible companion animal breeding Position Paper A6 - Operation of RSPCA shelters Position Paper A8 - Cat containment Position Paper GP1 - Animal welfare legislation Position Paper GP2 - Development of nationally consistent animal welfare standards and guidelines Research Report: Identifying best practice domestic cat management in Australia |
| 7.5 | Sterilisation5 |
| 7.5.1 | The RSPCA strongly advocates for all companion animals to be humanely sterilised wherever feasible and appropriate for the individual and species, as early as possible under veterinary supervision. See also: Research Report: Identifying best practice domestic cat management in Australia Research report - Pre-pubertal desexing in cats |
| 7.5.2 | The RSPCA supports humane ear tattooing (while under anaesthesia) of companion animals who have been surgically desexed (where appropriate for the species; e.g. cats and dogs) to signify this and avoid accidental repetitive surgery. |
| 7.6 | Identification |
| 7.6.1 | Companion animals should be permanently identified prior to sale or transfer as appropriate to the species. |
| 7.6.2 | Microchip identification is recommended for all companion animals where it is feasible and appropriate for the species. The microchip must be registered with an appropriate database service on a central microchip database registry and the owner contact details kept up to date. |
| 7.6.3 | The RSPCA advocates for the regulation and adoption of a nationally consistent protocol for the electronic identification of companion animals under state/territory legislation. |
| 7.7 | Equipment and methods to train and control companion animals |
| 7.7.1 | The RSPCA recognises that the behaviour of a companion animal is determined by a combination of genetics (inheritance), life experiences (social and environmental learning), and their environment. |
| 7.7.2 | Adequate, timely, and appropriate social and environmental learning, ideally beginning early in an animal’s life, can help the animal develop a healthy natural behavioural repertoire and resilience, facilitate positive experiences and good welfare, and prevent the emergence of emotional and behavioural problems. |
| 7.7.3 | Methods used to train companion animals must be humane, and should be low-stress, force-free, reward-based, and prioritise positive reinforcement. Training should be founded on current evidence-based understanding of how animals learn, and must not cause injury, pain, suffering, or distress to the animal. Reward-based training approaches carry the lowest risk of causing harm, are effective, encourage positive and engaging emotions, and build positive associations between the animal and handler. Methods used to control animals should be humane and cause no or minimal stress. |
| 7.7.4 | The RSPCA is opposed to the use of aversive equipment and methods6 to train and control companion animals as they are inhumane, can increase risk of injury to both animals and people, can have short and long-term negative impacts on the physical and mental health of the animal and their relationship with people, may result in learning difficulties, and risk the development of ongoing problem behaviours. |
| 7.7.5 | The RSPCA advocates for regulation of the animal training and behaviour industry associated with registration and mandatory standards for all companion animal trainers providing for the conditions under which animals are trained and handled. |
| 7.7.6 | The RSPCA is opposed to the import, sale, or use of equipment used to modify the behaviour of a companion animal which are inhumane, cause injury, pain, suffering, or distress to the animal, or can be used to abuse animals, including:
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| 7.8 | Handling The RSPCA advocates that cooperative care practices7 are used and that animals are handled using humane low stress methods of handling and restraint that minimise the risk of inflicting pain, injury, suffering, or distress. |
| 7.9 | Impounding of animals |
| 7.9.1 | Impounded animals must be treated with the same consideration for their welfare as owned animals, be housed and properly cared for in appropriate conditions which meet their physical and mental needs, be provided with opportunities to have positive experiences, and be provided with immediate veterinary treatment when necessary. |
| 7.9.2 | The RSPCA advocates for regulation and registration associated with mandatory standards for pound facilities, providing for the conditions under which animals are kept and cared for, including appropriate standard hold periods. See also: Policy GP1 - Good animal welfare Policy GP3 - Standards and guidelines, and codes of practice Position Paper A6 - Operation of RSPCA shelters Position Paper GP1 - Animal welfare legislation Position Paper GP2 - Development of nationally consistent animal welfare standards and guidelines |
| 7.10 | Hoarding |
| 7.10.1 | Significant suffering is caused by animal hoarding, which is a complex issue involving human mental health, animal welfare, and concerns relating to hygiene and public safety. |
| 7.10.2 | To prevent animals from suffering, responsible agencies should work together to identify cases early, to intervene quickly, and to provide on-going support to prevent recidivism. |
| 7.11 | Dog management |
| 7.11.1 | The RSPCA advocates that dogs should be safely and securely contained within the boundaries of the owner’s property and under effective control when in public places. |
| 7.11.2 | All municipalities must provide sufficient safe and accessible public open spaces (e.g. parks, beaches, or walking tracks) where dogs are permitted to be exercised off-leash. |
| 7.11.3 | Muzzles |
| 7.11.3.1 | The RSPCA opposes mandatory muzzling of specific types or breeds of dogs without regard to the behaviour of the individual dog. |
| 7.11.3.2 | Muzzles must only be used as safety devices where necessary based on the behaviour of the individual dog and in specific cases where it is necessary to protect the health and welfare of the dog according to veterinary advice. Where a muzzle is used, the dog must be under supervision and all reasonable steps must be taken to ensure that the muzzle does not cause injury, pain, suffering, or distress. |
| 7.11.4 | Managing dog bites in the community |
| 7.11.4.1 | The RSPCA recognises that dogs are individuals. A dog of any size, sex, breed, or mix of breeds may pose a risk to people and other animals. Therefore, dogs should not be declared dangerous on the basis of breed or appearance. Rather, a dog should be individually assessed based on their behaviour by a veterinarian or suitably qualified dog behaviourist. |
| 7.11.4.2 | The RSPCA opposes dog management legislation that discriminates against specific types or breeds of dogs. |
| 7.11.4.3 | The RSPCA advocates that a prevention and response strategy for dog bite (or near-miss) incidents must include the following key elements:
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| 7.11.4.4 | People who are managing and enforcing dog control provisions should receive training in safe and humane handling of dogs. Humane techniques and minimal force should be used to safely control dogs. See also: Policy GP3 - Standards and guidelines, and codes of practice Position Paper A1 - Control of dangerous and menacing dogs Position Paper GP1 - Animal welfare legislation Position Paper GP2 - Development of nationally consistent animal welfare standards and guidelines |
| 7.12 | Cat management |
| 7.12.1 | In addition to the general aims for companion animal management outlined in A8.2, cat management programs should aim to:
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| 7.12.2 | The RSPCA strongly advocates for all domestic cats to be desexed before puberty, if they are not intended to be registered breeding animals and there are no specific health and welfare contraindications for the individual animal. |
| 7.12.3 | Containment of cats The RSPCA encourages the containment of cats within the boundaries of the owner’s property in a way that safeguards cat welfare. See Position Paper A8 Cat Containment for the RSPCA’s full position on cat containment (including mandatory cat containment). See also: Position Paper A8 - Cat containment Research Report: Identifying best practice domestic cat management in Australia RSPCA Australia Guide - Keeping your cat safe and happy at home |
(adopted 08/04/2024)
[5] Sterilisation includes all procedures and techniques that render the animal unable to produce offspring. Surgical sterilisation includes desexing (castration and spaying – ovariohysterectomy or ovariectomy) and gonad sparing sterilisation options (e.g. vasectomy). Non-surgical sterilisation may include options such as chemical castration or other emerging options such as immunocontraception.
[6] Aversive equipment and methods use painful/unpleasant stimuli, dominance, coercion, force, or punishment to train and control animals.
[7] Cooperative care encourages and facilitates animals being active, willing participants in the husbandry and veterinary care they need (e.g. taking medication, grooming), by using reward-based training and animal-friendly interactions.
[8] Desexing is surgical sterilisation that involves removal of the gonads (castration and spaying – ovariohysterectomy or ovariectomy).
