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
Go to Our role

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.
Go to Key issues
better than live export hero banner
Priority issue
On 1 July 2024, the Federal Government…
Live sheep export

Support us

Whether you're an individual or a business, there are multiple ways you can support the RSPCA
Go to Support us
An animal in the RSPCA care being cared for by an RSPCA vet
Donate now to support your local RSPCA and make a difference to animal welfare across Australia
Donate

About

The RSPCA is an independent, community-based charity providing animal care and protection services across the country.
Go to About
about us national statistics
Read our National Statistics
Compiled on a national basis by RSPCA…
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.
Go to Adopt
adopt a pet logo
Visit the Adopt A Pet website
Make a difference to a pet’s life today.
Search Adoptapet
Subscribe now! Keep up to date with the latest animal welfare news
Blog

Why the welfare of crustaceans matters too

Generic Avatar
  • RSPCA Australia
  • Tuesday, 30 January 2018

You may have seen the news that Switzerland recently passed laws that make the act of boiling a lobster alive illegal. New Zealand has similar laws requiring commercially caught crustaceans to be stunned (insensible to pain) before killing.

The RSPCA wants to see this legislative move in Australia and believes all crustaceans should always be humanely captured, handled, transported, retained and killed.

So what makes a creature a crustacean? Crustaceans include:

o   Crayfish

o   Lobsters

o   Crabs

o   Moreton Bay bugs

o   Yabbies

o   Prawns

Recent research shows crustaceans have responses consistent with signs of pain and distress. They also have the mental capacity to remember and learn to avoid unpleasant experiences.

The recognition of the welfare of crustaceans varies widely across Australia and can be confusing. Some states and territories recognise crustaceans’ legal status and protect their welfare by law, whereas in other jurisdictions this is dependent on whether the crustaceans are intended for human consumption.

If a crustacean is intended to be eaten by humans, the RSPCA believes live crustaceans should not be made available to the general public for purchase, and instead be humanely killed by those who are trained and competent to do so. Essentially, all crustaceans should have been humanely killed before being available for sale.

If you’re intending to consume any crustaceans, ensure you do not purchase live crustaceans and ask the retailer how the crustaceans were killed to ensure it was completed in the most humane manner.

Learn more about what a humane death for crustaceans means.

subscribe box

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

Subscribe today and we’ll keep you updated on all the latest campaigns, events and news.