Farm animal welfare

Our role

The state and territory member Societies provide services to animals in need through their shelters and inspectorates. In the national office, RSPCA Australia works to influence animal welfare policy, practice and legislation across the country

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Animal welfare science

Caring for animals

Farm animal welfare

Public education

Advocacy

Enforcing the law

Key issues

The RSPCA advocates for the welfare of animals across a number of industries, issues and platforms. Help from our supporters is important to progress change. Working together is key.

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Priority issue

On 1 July 2024, the Federal Government…

Live sheep export

News

Here you'll find the latest news relating to the RSPCA's vital work, press releases on national events, education on animal welfare issues, animal welfare science updates and our very own podcast covering a range of current topics.

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Media release: Live sheep export unfixable, unnecessary, unacceptable – and now, soon to be unlawful

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Support us

Whether you're an individual or a business, there are multiple ways you can support the RSPCA

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An animal in the RSPCA care being cared for by an RSPCA vet

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Learn

The RSPCA aims to make evidence-based research accessible to the community, so that they can have confidence in the choices made when it comes to animal welfare.

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Knowledgebase Offsite

Animal Welfare Seminar

Animal Welfare Science Update

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Education resources

Cage free and proud

Responsible sourcing

RSPCA Approved Standards

RSPCA Animal Welfare Seminar 2025

Animal ethics and animal welfare…

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About

The RSPCA is an independent, community-based charity providing animal care and protection services across the country.

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Annual statistics

Adopt

By choosing adoption, you’ll not only have the chance to make a friend for life, but you’ll be giving an animal a second chance and helping support the RSPCA.

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Adopting a dog or puppy

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Farm animal welfare

The RSPCA is committed to improving the welfare of the millions of animals on farms across Australia.

The most meaningful way that we can achieve this is by encouraging continuous improvement for farm animal welfare at a government, industry, producer and corporate level.

The RSPCA firmly grounds its policies, communications, and activities in the most current animal welfare science.

Here’s how we’re working to drive improvements from many angles to make the lives of Australia’s farm animals better. We’ve made significant progress in some areas, but there’s still a long way to go and we need your support.

Governments

Providing advice to government and key decision makers about animal welfare
Participation in working groups and panels to provide advice on animal welfare
Enabling the public to convey their concerns directly to government and decision makers
Holding governments accountable for decisions that impact animal welfare
Highlighting gaps and differences in animal welfare regulation across Australia

Farmers

Develop higher welfare standards that producers are able to meet and achieve RSPCA Approved certification against
Participation in industry working groups, panels and frameworks to provide expert advice on animal welfare, helping to keep animal welfare on the agenda

Food Business

Advice about sourcing policies and how businesses can transition to working with higher welfare farming systems
Support for cafes and restaurants choosing cage-free eggs through the RSPCA’s Choose Wisely initiative

Consumers

The RSPCA Approved logo signals certified higher welfare product
Choose Wisely directory providing guidance on to consumers wanting to support higher welfare when they are dining out

Community

Providing access to science-based advice and information on the RSPCA Knowledgebase
Educating and informing about current farm animal welfare issues and what you can do to help
Developing and sharing resources that help explain complex animal welfare issues
Developing and sharing education resources that help teach kids about why caring about farm animals is important

The reality is the majority of Australians include meat and products from animals in their diet, and the RSPCA wants these consumers to support farmers who prioritise animal welfare.

Making higher welfare choices leads to increased uptake of higher welfare farming practices along the supply chain.

This in turn leads to farm animals benefitting from better conditions.

Working with farmers

Agriculture in Australia

The RSPCA works with a wide range of stakeholders in the livestock sector, to improve the standards and conditions for farm animal welfare. Our work with farmers includes supporting research and development, engaging with producers through the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme, and actively contributing to the Standards and Guidelines processes for different livestock industries, to advocate for improvements to animal welfare.

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Offsite

Visit the RSPCA Approved Website

The RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme focuses on improving the lives of farm animals and making higher welfare eggs, meat and fish readily available.

Knowledgebase • Offsite

Visit the RSPCA Knowledgebase

The Knowledgebase features hundreds of evidence-based articles on animal welfare issues, responsible pet ownership, and the RSPCA’s policies and positions.

Podcast

Find out all things farm animal welfare, food and farming in Australia with our host Brian Daly.

In engaging and enlightening episodes, the RSPCA’s Humane Food Podcast explores a range of topics that we know interest Australians.

Education resources

The RSPCA has a range of educational resources available for free to help children and adults alike learn more about animal welfare.

Responsible sourcing

When it comes to responsible sourcing of animal-based products, there is a lot that individual organisations can do. Our responsible sourcing guides break down what to look for to make conscious choices if sourcing animal-based products.

RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme

For 27 years, the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme has been improving the lives of Australia’s farmed animals.

The RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme is Australia’s leading independent certification scheme focused on animal welfare. We work closely with farmers to make a positive impact on the lives of Australia’s most intensively farmed animals by providing an environment that meets their needs. More than 5 billion hens, pigs, chickens, turkeys and salmon have benefitted from higher welfare conditions since the Scheme began.

Find out which brands have products with RSPCA Approved certification and learn about how together, we can improve the lives of Australian farm animals. Click here for the latest news.

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The RSPCA is committed to improving the welfare of the millions of animals on farms across Australia.

Improving farm animal welfare

The reality is the majority of Australians include meat and products from animals in their diet, and the RSPCA wants these consumers to support farmers who prioritise animal welfare.

Agriculture in Australia

Explore related content

For 27 years, the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme has been improving the lives of Australia’s farmed animals.

Stay informed on big issues and how you can help improve animal welfare across Australia.