Report Cruelty Donate

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

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.
Go to Key issues

Farm animals

Sport, entertainment & work animals

better than live export hero banner
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.
Go to News

Blog

Media centre

Podcast

take action live sheep export alternate
Media release: Live sheep export unfixable, unnecessary, unacceptable – and now, soon to be unlawful
Read the media release

Support us

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

For individuals

For businesses

National events

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

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.
Go to Learn

Knowledgebase Offsite

Animal Welfare Seminar

Animal Welfare Science Update

Education resources

Cage free and proud

Choose Wisely

Responsible sourcing

Key information

Domesticated animals

Non-domesticated animals

Aquatic animals

RSPCA Approved Standards

AWS2025 Website Image 2000x2000 v2
RSPCA Animal Welfare Seminar 2025
Animal ethics and animal welfare…
Learn more

About

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

Annual reports

Annual statistics

Board & governance

Scholarships

Join our team

Our history

Contact

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

Adopting a dog or puppy

Adopting a cat or kitten

Adopting other animals

Responsible pet ownership

adopt a pet logo
Visit the Adopt A Pet website
Make a difference to a pet’s life today.
Search Adoptapet
Contact Us
RSPCA Approved Farming
Report Cruelty Donate
Report Cruelty Donate
Subscribe now! Keep up to date with the latest animal welfare news
  1. Home
  2. News
  3. Media centre
  4. Disturbing footage from Tasmania…

The RSPCA says footage of animal cruelty from an abattoir in Tasmania is the second serious incident of its kind in the state in just a few months, and proves the need for CCTV monitoring of animal handling to prevent such entrenched cruelty.

RSPCA Australia has confirmed it has received and viewed disturbing footage of animal cruelty during the handling and slaughtering of bobby calves at an abattoir in Tasmania.

The RSPCA says the abhorrent treatment of calves allegedly filmed at the Tasmanian Quality Meats abattoir in Cressy in mid-December, was cruel and distressing, and in many cases would have cause the calves significant pain and injury prior to death.

The treatment of these calves by abattoir workers - which included calves being beaten until they collapsed, hit with poly pipes, thrown to the ground by the ears, tail or head alone, and pulled backwards by their tails - demonstrates a complete disregard for the welfare of the animals and their capacity to suffer.

RSPCA Australia understands the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment (DPIPWE) is now actively investigating these acts.

The RSPCA has now written twice to the Department expressing its disappointment at the lengthy and unnecessary delay in acting on this report, meaning many more calves and other animals may have experienced this cruel and unacceptable treatment in the meantime.

The RSPCA has urged the Department to take immediate and decisive action to enforce the alleged breaches of the Animal Welfare Act by the staff and owners of the abattoir.

The RSPCA also said the footage proves that all states governments need to take a more active role in visiting, monitoring and auditing abattoirs, to prevent animal cruelty taking place and becoming entrenched.

The footage also demonstrates the need for abattoir owners to exercise care and diligence when selecting, hiring, training and supervising their staff.

The RSPCA urges anyone witnessing animal cruelty to report it as soon as possible. Reports can be made via phone or online form to the RSPCA Inspectorate team in the state or territory it took place. Go to https://www.rspca.org.au/report-cruelty for contact details.

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.

We care about your data in our privacy policy.