Dental disease is one of the most common conditions affecting companion animals; approximately 80% of cats and dogs over three years of age in Australia will show some degree of dental disease. At-home dental care and regular dental check-ups are important parts of responsible companion animal care. Regular dental checks…
RSPCA Inspectors employed by RSPCA ACT, RSPCA New South Wales, RSPCA Victoria, RSPCA South Australia, RSPCA Tasmania, RSPCA Queensland and RSPCA Western Australia have legal jurisdiction over horses in relation to animal welfare legislation within their respective states. RSPCA Inspectors work in conjunction with officers of the relevant government department,…
RSPCA Inspectors employed by RSPCA ACT, RSPCA New South Wales, RSPCA South Australia, RSPCA Tasmania and RSPCA Western Australia have legal jurisdiction over commercial farming activities in relation to animal welfare legislation within their respective states. These RSPCA Inspectors will also work in conjunction with officers of the relevant government…
As with other rodeo events, the RSPCA is opposed to bull riding because of the potential for significant injury, suffering and stress to the animals involved. Rodeos are held in all Australia states and territories except for the Australian Capital Territory, where they are prohibited. Key animal welfare issues Fear and…
Paintball guns are pneumatic firearms driven by compressed gas. While it is clear that under no circumstances should a paintball gun be used on an animal for recreational or malicious purposes, they are used in Australia and overseas to mark or identify wildlife and livestock for research and management purposes….
The export of live sheep, cattle and goats for slaughter gives rise to multiple serious welfare problems. The welfare of these animals is compromised due to the inherently stressful and poor conditions to which they are exposed during the journey itself and the treatment of animals once they reach the…
Standards for the preparation, loading and confinement of animals for live export are set by the federal government through the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL), which were introduced following the Cormo Express disaster in 2003. However, these standards fail to meet the basic requirements of animal welfare…
The benefits of assistance animals to people are widely discussed but the impact of the work on the animals must also be considered [1]. Assistance animals face a unique set of challenges because they experience a number of processes to prepare them for the specialised roles and work they undertake…
There are many situations where animals provide assistance to people living with a disability. Dogs are the most common assistance animals and those who have been trained by an organisation are often identified by wearing a jacket, a harness, or a brightly coloured collar and lead. Despite assistance dogs being…
Wallowing is a natural behaviour which pigs are motivated to perform and, when given the opportunity, pigs will make their own wallows. A wallow is a shallow depression containing muddy water in which a pig will often dig and root before entering to cover themselves in mud. Ideally, a wallow…