RSPCA Policy C01 Animals in sport, entertainment, performance, recreation and work – general principles

The RSPCA recognises that animals used for sport, entertainment, performance, recreation, and work are sentient beings with intrinsic value and who have mental experiences that matter to them.

The RSPCA opposes the use of animals for any form of sport, entertainment, performance, recreation, work, or training associated with such use, where injury, pain suffering, or distress is likely to be caused and their physical and mental needs cannot be met.

Those in charge of the care and management of animals used for such purposes must be aware of their responsibilities and legal obligations and must act accordingly to ensure the welfare of the animals in their care at all times.

Responsible care and management of animals used in sport, entertainment, performance, recreation, and work means that such animals have a good quality of life and involves the following:

• Applying responsible and humane animal acquisition and breeding practices to avoid traits which adversely impact on the welfare of progeny, prevent oversupply and ‘wastage’.
• Animals who are bred but are not used for their intended purpose must be provided with appropriate care, including veterinary treatment by the existing or new owner. Surplus animals must not be killed unless they have been assessed to require euthanasia on welfare grounds.
• Ensuring management of and procedures carried out on breeding animals do not compromise their health and welfare nor that of their offspring.
• Understanding and meeting the physical and mental needs of the animal.
• Providing housing and transport facilities that are designed and maintained to provide a clean, comfortable, and safe environment (see RSPCA Policy F1).
• Applying species-appropriate animal care and husbandry practices, including low stress and force-free handling, socialisation, and environmental enrichment, that meet the animal’s physical and mental needs.
• Implementing an appropriate preventative health care program with medical history and treatment records.
• Ensuring veterinary care is provided as required for prevention and treatment of disease, pain, and other health concerns.
• Ensuring training methods and performance activities are not aversive and provide opportunities for choice, agency and positive experiences for animals (see RSPCA Policy C2).
• Ensuring animals are appropriately and reliably identified.
• Implementing retirement planning that meets high welfare expectations.

The RSPCA recognises that good animal handling skills (i.e. the knowledge, skill, attitude and behaviour necessary to handle and train animals in a manner that does not compromise their welfare), is essential for the well-being of animals (see RSPCA Policy C7 Training, behaviour modification, and invasive procedures).

Mandatory and enforced animal welfare standards and where appropriate, a registration or licensing system for animals used for sport, entertainment, performance, recreation, and work must be adopted.

Where appropriate, comprehensive lifecycle (birth to death) records and injury statistics must be collected and publicly available to ensure each animal used for sport, entertainment, performance, recreation, and work is accounted for.

Appropriate contingency plans should be in place to safeguard animal welfare during emergencies (including natural disasters).

Designated and appropriately trained animal welfare officers to oversee the welfare of animals used for sport, entertainment, performance or work, and that these officers have the authority to modify or cease activities which pose a welfare risk. This includes providing animals choice and opportunity to engage or not and that their physical and mental needs are met.

Appropriate provisions are made for animals used in sport, entertainment, performance, recreation, and work who are not actively engaged in activities (e.g. due to injury or other reasons) to ensure that their physical and mental needs are met.