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. Don't gag, report animal cruelty

The RSPCA is calling for legislative change to introduce mandatory reporting of animal cruelty by those who, by virtue of their job, are expected to have an understanding of animal welfare legislation.

Recent debate surrounding the publication of footage of acts of cruelty to animals in shearing sheds and abattoirs has focused on the role of ‘animal activists’ who filmed the abuse and lost sight of the fate of the animals involved.

“The senseless brutality to sheep exposed last month should have shocked the nation, but instead the debate became focused on the messenger.

“It should not have to take someone with a camera to raise the alarm when there are already eye-witnesses to the events being filmed,” said Heather Neil, RSPCA Australia CEO.

“The RSPCA believes that anyone witnessing animal cruelty has a moral obligation to report it to the relevant authorities.

“But there are some people who, by the nature of their role, are expected to know what animal cruelty is and when action should be taken.

“These people should have a legal obligation to report cruelty when they see it,” said Ms Neil.

The changes proposed by the RSPCA would make it a legal requirement for people in a position of responsibility to report incidents of cruelty to the relevant authorities.

Mandatory reporting will help to create a culture where people are aware of their responsibilities to protect animals and which will not tolerate the abuse and neglect of animals.

The proposed changes would include whistleblower protections for those reporting cruelty to ensure they do not suffer reprisals.

“Such changes will require increased government support to ensure all agencies in charge of implementing animal welfare regulation are adequately resourced to enable them to respond to the increased number of cruelty reports,” said Ms Neil.

“Funding for training is also needed to ensure people know what cases they should and should not report, and public education is vital to make the community aware of the extent of their responsibility to report animal cruelty.

“All these measures are essential if we are to provide Australian animals with the protection they deserve,” said Ms Neil.

Supporting documents:
RSPCA Inspectorate facts and statistics

RSPCA Australia discussion paper - Ag gag laws in Australia

RSPCA Australia FAQs - Act to Protect Animals by reporting animal cruelty

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.