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RSPCA Policy A7 Companion animal management

7.1Any 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.
7.2Any companion animal management program must adopt a holistic, strategic, and humane approach. It should aim to:

  • protect and enhance the welfare of all domestic animals in a given area, regardless of ownership status, acknowledging their sentience and ability to experience a range of positive and negative feelings, and recognising the value of the species as a companion animal
  • promote education and awareness about animal welfare and behaviour, the importance of responsible pet ownership, appropriate socialisation and training, and appropriate and safe human-animal interactions
  • rehome unowned companion animals who are suitable for rehoming
  • encourage sterilisation and permanent identification of companion animals where feasible and appropriate for the individual and species
  • support companion animal owners to undertake responsible ownership behaviours such as sterilisation and identification by addressing barriers which exist (such as financial barriers and limited access to veterinary care)
  • reduce the potential negative impact of companion animals on wildlife and the community (e.g. encourage appropriate control of companion animals to reduce the risk of predation on wildlife).
  • set appropriate outcome-based objectives for the program
  • collect and evaluate appropriate data to allow for monitoring of program outcomes, which can then inform review and revision of objectives, and improvements to implementation.
7.3The RSPCA believes that companion animal management is a joint responsibility of state/territory and local government.
7.4The RSPCA encourages the funding by government of effective companion animal management and education programs on responsible companion animal ownership and living safely with companion animals.

See also:

Policy GP1 - Good animal welfare
Policy GP3 - Standards and guidelines, and codes of practice
Position Paper A1 - Control of dangerous and menacing dogs
Position Paper A5 - Responsible companion animal breeding
Position Paper A8 - Cat containment
Position Paper GP1 - Animal welfare legislation
Position Paper GP2 - Development of nationally consistent animal welfare standards and guidelines
Research Report: Identifying best practice domestic cat management in Australia
7.5Sterilisation5
7.5.1The RSPCA strongly advocates for all companion animals to be humanely sterilised wherever feasible and appropriate for the individual and species, as early as possible under veterinary supervision.

See also:

Research Report: Identifying best practice domestic cat management in Australia
Research report - Pre-pubertal desexing in cats
7.5.2The RSPCA supports humane ear tattooing (while under anaesthesia) of companion animals who have been surgically desexed (where appropriate for the species; e.g. cats and dogs) to signify this and avoid accidental repetitive surgery.
7.6Identification
7.6.1Companion animals should be permanently identified prior to sale or transfer as appropriate to the species.
7.6.2Microchip identification is recommended for all companion animals where it is feasible and appropriate for the species. The microchip must be registered with an appropriate database service on a central microchip database registry and the owner contact details kept up to date.
7.6.3The RSPCA advocates for the regulation and adoption of a nationally consistent protocol for the electronic identification of companion animals under state/territory legislation.
7.7Equipment and methods to train and control companion animals
7.7.1The RSPCA recognises that the behaviour of a companion animal is determined by a combination of genetics (inheritance), life experiences (social and environmental learning), and their environment.
7.7.2Adequate, timely, and appropriate social and environmental learning, ideally beginning early in an animal’s life, can help the animal develop a healthy natural behavioural repertoire and resilience, facilitate positive experiences and good welfare, and prevent the emergence of emotional and behavioural problems.
7.7.3Methods used to train companion animals must be humane, and should be low-stress, force-free, reward-based, and prioritise positive reinforcement. Training should be founded on current evidence-based understanding of how animals learn, and must not cause injury, pain, suffering, or distress to the animal. Reward-based training approaches carry the lowest risk of causing harm, are effective, encourage positive and engaging emotions, and build positive associations between the animal and handler. Methods used to control animals should be humane and cause no or minimal stress.
7.7.4The RSPCA is opposed to the use of aversive equipment and methods6 to train and control companion animals as they are inhumane, can increase risk of injury to both animals and people, can have short and long-term negative impacts on the physical and mental health of the animal and their relationship with people, may result in learning difficulties, and risk the development of ongoing problem behaviours.
7.7.5The RSPCA advocates for regulation of the animal training and behaviour industry associated with registration and mandatory standards for all companion animal trainers providing for the conditions under which animals are trained and handled.
7.7.6The RSPCA is opposed to the import, sale, or use of equipment used to modify the behaviour of a companion animal which are inhumane, cause injury, pain, suffering, or distress to the animal, or can be used to abuse animals, including:

  • devices which deliver electric shocks or stimuli, such as ‘anti-barking collars’ and ‘virtual fences’
  • collars that deliver aversive stimuli such as sound or scent, including ‘citronella collars’ and devices which emit ultrasonic or high-pitched sounds
  • pronged or pinch collars
  • anti-barking muzzles
  • choke chain/correction collars.
7.8Handling

The RSPCA advocates that cooperative care practices7 are used and that animals are handled using humane low stress methods of handling and restraint that minimise the risk of inflicting pain, injury, suffering, or distress.
7.9Impounding of animals
7.9.1Impounded animals must be treated with the same consideration for their welfare as owned animals, be housed and properly cared for in appropriate conditions which meet their physical and mental needs, be provided with opportunities to have positive experiences, and be provided with immediate veterinary treatment when necessary.
7.9.2The RSPCA advocates for regulation and registration associated with mandatory standards for pound facilities, providing for the conditions under which animals are kept and cared for, including appropriate standard hold periods.

See also:

Policy GP1 - Good animal welfare
Policy GP3 - Standards and guidelines, and codes of practice
Position Paper GP1 - Animal welfare legislation
Position Paper GP2 - Development of nationally consistent animal welfare standards and guidelines
7.10Hoarding
7.10.1Significant suffering is caused by animal hoarding, which is a complex issue involving human mental health, animal welfare, and concerns relating to hygiene and public safety.
7.10.2To prevent animals from suffering, responsible agencies should work together to identify cases early, to intervene quickly, and to provide on-going support to prevent recidivism.
7.11Dog management
7.11.1The RSPCA advocates that dogs should be safely and securely contained within the boundaries of the owner’s property and under effective control when in public places.
7.11.2All municipalities must provide sufficient safe and accessible public open spaces (e.g. parks, beaches, or walking tracks) where dogs are permitted to be exercised off-leash.
7.11.3Muzzles
7.11.3.1The RSPCA opposes mandatory muzzling of specific types or breeds of dogs without regard to the behaviour of the individual dog.
7.11.3.2Muzzles must only be used as safety devices where necessary based on the behaviour of the individual dog and in specific cases where it is necessary to protect the health and welfare of the dog according to veterinary advice. Where a muzzle is used, the dog must be under supervision and all reasonable steps must be taken to ensure that the muzzle does not cause injury, pain, suffering, or distress.
7.11.4Managing dog bites in the community
7.11.4.1The RSPCA recognises that dogs are individuals. A dog of any size, sex, breed, or mix of breeds may pose a risk to people and other animals. Therefore, dogs should not be declared dangerous on the basis of breed or appearance. Rather, a dog should be individually assessed based on their behaviour by a veterinarian or suitably qualified dog behaviourist.
7.11.4.2The RSPCA opposes dog management legislation that discriminates against specific types or breeds of dogs.
7.11.4.3The RSPCA advocates that a prevention and response strategy for dog bite (or near-miss) incidents must include the following key elements: 

  • Human factors – Consideration and guidance as to how people can live safely with dogs (e.g. education about dog behaviour and interacting safely with dogs, selecting dogs for behavioural traits compatible with being a companion, and responsible ownership behaviours including ensuring companion dogs have their needs met).
  • Dog factors – Consideration and guidance to reduce the risk of dog bites and associated concerning behaviour (e.g. appropriate selection of an individual dog, appropriate socialisation to a range of people, places, and other animals, adequate control of dogs, seeking and implementing the advice of a veterinarian or suitably qualified dog behaviourist if there are early signs of concerning behaviour).
  • Regulatory factors – Consistent and clear guidance about managing dogs to mitigate future risk once a near miss (i.e. menacing or rushing) or bite incident has occurred (e.g. registration and microchipping, consistent protocols in response to public reports, public awareness campaigns).
7.11.4.4People who are managing and enforcing dog control provisions should receive training in safe and humane handling of dogs. Humane techniques and minimal force should be used to safely control dogs.

See also:

Policy GP3 - Standards and guidelines, and codes of practice
Position Paper A1 - Control of dangerous and menacing dogs
Position Paper GP1 - Animal welfare legislation
Position Paper GP2 - Development of nationally consistent animal welfare standards and guidelines
7.12Cat management
7.12.1In addition to the general aims for companion animal management outlined in A8.2, cat management programs should aim to:

  • encourage and facilitate the sterilisation (desexing)8 of cats prior to sexual maturity to help reduce the number of unwanted kittens born
  • humanely and effectively manage populations of unowned or semi-owned cats (e.g. through high-intensity targeted desexing and rehoming programs)
  • develop and support innovative new humane solutions to problems associated with cat management
  • encourage responsible owners to take full ownership of semi-owned cats they care for.
7.12.2The RSPCA strongly advocates for all domestic cats to be desexed before puberty, if they are not intended to be registered breeding animals and there are no specific health and welfare contraindications for the individual animal. 
7.12.3Containment of cats

The RSPCA encourages the containment of cats within the boundaries of the owner’s property in a way that safeguards cat welfare. See Position Paper A8 Cat Containment for the RSPCA’s full position on cat containment (including mandatory cat containment).

See also:

Position Paper A8 - Cat containment
Research Report: Identifying best practice domestic cat management in Australia
RSPCA Australia Guide - Keeping your cat safe and happy at home

(adopted 08/04/2024)

[5] Sterilisation includes all procedures and techniques that render the animal unable to produce offspring. Surgical sterilisation includes desexing (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.

[6] Aversive equipment and methods use painful/unpleasant stimuli, dominance, coercion, force, or punishment to train and control animals.

[7] Cooperative care encourages and facilitates animals being active, willing participants in the husbandry and veterinary care they need (e.g. taking medication, grooming), by using reward-based training and animal-friendly interactions.

[8] Desexing is surgical sterilisation that involves removal of the gonads (castration and spaying – ovariohysterectomy or ovariectomy).

Also Read

Updated on April 26, 2024

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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