I’m looking for a pet kitten or cat, what should I do? If you’re looking for a new cat or kitten, visit the RSPCA first to see if we have the perfect...
Is desexing mandatory for cats and dogs? Preventing unwanted/unplanned pregnancies through desexing is an essential part of responsible companion animal ownership. RSPCA Australia advocates the mandatory desexing...
Will my newborn baby be safe around my dog? It is a very good idea to think about introducing your dog to your baby and to commence preparations so...
My cat is very active at night and keeps waking me up, what should I do? Some cats are active at night, or are awake and ‘raring to go’ very early in the morning. Since many...
What is the RSPCA’s view on breed-specific legislation? Breed specific legislation (BSL) consists of legal restrictions on the importation, sale, keeping and rehoming of certain types of dogs...
How do I communicate with my dog? Body language is a dog’s main form of communication, so it’s really important that we learn how to understand them....
Are there laws that require companion animal breeders to meet certain standards of care? Laws relating to the welfare of animals vary in different states. In some states, companion animal breeders have to be...
What is an assistance animal? There are many situations where animals provide assistance to people living with a disability. Dogs are the most common assistance...
What are the potential animal welfare issues associated with assistance animals? The benefits of assistance animals to people are widely discussed but the impact of the work on the animals must...
Is it risky to smoke or vape around companion animals? Second hand smoke exposure Passive smoking is a health risk. There is no risk-free level of passive (second-hand) smoke exposure...
How can climate change affect animal welfare? RSPCA Australia acknowledges that there is scientific consensus that climate change is caused by greenhouse gas emissions from human activities...
At what stage of development do animals become sentient? Animal sentience is the capacity of an animal to experience different feelings such as suffering or pleasure. The onset of...
What are the effects of drones on wildlife and domestic pets? Drones, which are remote controlled aircraft, can be used to monitor animals for research or for their welfare. So, whilst...
What is ‘One Welfare’? ‘One Welfare’ is the concept that animal welfare depends on and influences human welfare and environmental sustainability [1]. This...