RSPCA Policy A4 Shelter and rehoming of companion animals
| 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. |
| 4.2 | The RSPCA advocates for regulation and registration associated with mandatory standards for sheltering and rehoming facilities, providing for the conditions under which animals are kept, cared for, and managed. |
| 4.3 | The welfare of each individual animal must be prioritised when making decisions about the pathway chosen for that individual animal (e.g. rehoming, transfer to a rescue group, euthanasia). |
| 4.4 | Prior to adoption, all animals must undergo a veterinary health assessment and behaviour evaluation and be vaccinated against common core infectious diseases as appropriate for the species. All animals should be sterilised[1] where recommended by a veterinarian, practicable, appropriate, and required by local law. |
| 4.5 | Advice on animal care and behaviour must be provided at the time of adoption and options for post-adoption support provided where necessary. Owners of a newly acquired companion animal are encouraged to seek further advice from a veterinarian, behaviourist, training organisation, or other reputable and qualified source as appropriate to safeguard their animal’s ongoing health and welfare. |
| 4.6 | Physically and mentally healthy companion animals who are suitable for adoption should be rehomed, but some animals may be unsuitable for adoption due to welfare, health, behavioural, or legislative reasons. Therefore, the RSPCA reluctantly accepts that, in certain circumstances, euthanasia of an animal may be unavoidable. |
| 4.7 | Reporting of animal outcomes data by all organisations which care for and rehome companion animals should be mandatory. |
Reference
Sterilisation includes all procedures and techniques that render the animal unable to produce offspring. Surgical sterilisation includes gonadectomy (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. Desexing is the term generally used in Australia to refer to surgical sterilisation that permanently renders an animal incapable of reproducing. However, the legal definition may differ depending on the jurisdiction.
RSPCA policies reflect the best available evidence to direct and guide RSPCA and others, to promote and achieve good animal welfare outcomes.
Reference to ‘the RSPCA’ or ‘RSPCA’ in this document means RSPCA Australia and each of the RSPCA Australia member Societies.
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