Poisons, such as anticoagulant rat bait (known as anticoagulant rodenticides), are commonly used to kill rodents in residential, commercial and agricultural settings, but they pose a significant risk to native wildlife, either by direct ingestion of baits or ingestion of poisoned rodents. This secondary exposure to these baits intended to…
A bounty is a predetermined amount of money paid to an individual who provides necessary evidence that a specified species of ‘pest’ animal has been killed. There are many risks with bounties including animals not being killed humanely and being ineffective in reducing impacts of targeted animals. On this basis,…
Glue boards (also known as glue traps) are made of cardboard, plastic or wood covered in an adhesive and are promoted as a rodent control method. They are designed to catch and trap animals who run across their surface. Despite glue boards causing severe pain and suffering, they are legal…
Vaccinations are an important part of caring for your dog as they can prevent or reduce the severity of infectious diseases such as canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus, and canine parvovirus, which can cause serious health consequences and even death. Some general information on vaccinating dogs based on the 2024…
With approximately half of cat-owning households caring for two or more cats [1], it is crucial to recognise that keeping multiple cats, while fundamentally similar to keeping a singular cat, requires a good understanding of cats’ social needs and behaviour. Whether you are thinking of getting another cat or already…
A rabbit’s body language can be subtle, so it’s not always easy to accurately read how they’re feeling. It is important to keep an eye on your rabbit’s behaviour and be on the lookout for any changes, as these can be a sign that something is wrong. Use this guide…
There is increasing community concern regarding the use of animals in research, and yet there is limited information available to the public about how and why animals are used. Transparency and accountability are integral to maintaining social license and so it is imperative that research institutions and organisations who use…
Canine parvovirus is a virus affecting dogs that attacks and damages tissues with rapidly dividing cells (such as the gastrointestinal tract, bone marrow, and lymphatic tissues), which can cause severe and life-threatening disease [1, 2]. Canine parvovirus cases occur across Australia with an estimated 20,000+ cases a year across the…
As human populations continue to grow and coastal areas become more heavily used for recreational activities, the likelihood of encounters between humans and sharks is increasing. To help prevent shark incidents, various methods have been implemented to deter sharks from popular beaches to enhance public safety. However, while these methods…
Glue boards (also known as glue traps) are made of cardboard, plastic or wood covered in an adhesive and are promoted as a rodent control method. They are designed to catch and trap animals who run across their surface. The RSPCA opposes the use of glue boards due to the…