| 4.1 | Farming of wild animals |
| 4.1.1 | The RSPCA opposes the taking of animals from the wild for the purpose of farming (defined as the breeding, rearing and slaughter of animals for commercial purposes), due to the inherent risk of welfare compromise and the inability to meet the physical and mental needs of the animals in the capture, transport, handling and long-term confinement of these animals, and potential effects on the ecosystem from where they are taken. See also: Policy Section C - Animals in Sport, Entertainment, Performance, Recreation and Work |
| 4.2 | Hunting of wild animals |
| 4.2.1 | The RSPCA opposes the hunting of any animal for sport. See also: Policy Section C - Animals in Sport, Entertainment, Performance, Recreation and Work |
| 4.2.2 | The RSPCA opposes the breeding and release of animals into ‘game parks’ for the purpose of hunting for sport. |
| 4.2.3 | Where wild animals are hunted for subsistence, this must be conducted humanely and with regard to relevant laws and the conservation status of the species involved. |
| 4.3 | Killing of wild animals for commercial purposes The RSPCA is opposed to the killing of wild animals for commercial utilisation (i.e. for food or other animal products) unless this is carried out as part of a wild animal management program that meets the criteria specified in Policy E2. |
| 4.4 | Keeping of wild animals as pets |
| 4.4.1 | The RSPCA opposes the taking of animals from the wild to be kept as pets due to unacceptable animal welfare risks arising from the capture, transport, handling, and long-term confinement of these animals, and potential effects on the ecosystem from which they are taken. |
| 4.4.2 | The RSPCA believes that captive-bred wild animals should not be kept as pets unless it is permitted by relevant regulation and it can be demonstrated that species-specific physical and mental needs can be met in a home environment. |
| 4.4.3 | Characteristics which indicate suitability for a native species to be kept as a pet include:
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| 4.4.4 | The RSPCA opposes the keeping of endangered native animals as pets. |
| 4.4.5 | In jurisdictions where some native species are permitted to be kept as pets, the RSPCA advocates the adoption of mandatory species-specific welfare standards and guidelines and auditing and enforcement of compliance. |
| 4.5 | Breeding of wild animals The RSPCA opposes genetic selection of traits or genetic manipulation of wild animals where this causes or predisposes breeding animals and/or their offspring to injury, pain, suffering, or distress and/or is not beneficial to the animals involved. |
(adopted 08/04/2024)
