A - Companion Animals

Responsible companion animal ownership involves the following general principles: Choosing an appropriate companion animal in consideration of the animal’s physical and mental needs and the owner’s ability to meet these needs, in light of relevant factors such as their family, home, lifestyle, and financial situation.

3. 1 The RSPCA advocates that acquiring a companion animal should be the result of careful planning (see A2). The prospective owners should have a clear understanding of the responsibilities involved for the animal’s lifetime. 3.

4. 1 All those who shelter and rehome animals must take all reasonable steps to meet the physical and mental needs of those animals and facilitate the animals having positive experiences. 4.

5. 1 A decision to euthanase a companion animal should ordinarily be made in consultation with a veterinarian and/or animal behaviourist as appropriate, including an assessment of the animal’s current and expected quality of life.

6. 1 The RSPCA is opposed to uncontrolled and irresponsible breeding of companion animals because this contributes to the number of unwanted animals in our communities, resulting in welfare, community, and environmental issues. 6.

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.

8. 1 All companion animals must be kept in an environment that is appropriate to their individual and species-specific physical and mental needs and which promotes good health and wellbeing.