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

While racegoers and punters are anticipating the race that stops the nation, the RSPCA has launched its ‘Love Parties, Hate Whips’ campaign in response to growing concerns in the Australian community about racehorse welfare and the cruel and unnecessary use of whips.

Australians can get behind the campaign to end whips in racing, by adding their voice via the RSPCA website and by downloading and wearing a printable badge to show they care about the welfare of race horses.

“What we’re finding more and more each year, is that people love the spectacle of Spring Racing but are increasingly uncomfortable with the risks to horses, and of course, the continued use of whips in racing is the most visible area of concern,” said RSPCA Australia CEO Ms Heather Neil. 

“Most of us love to dress up and have fun, but this shouldn’t come at the expense of the horses’ welfare on the track. No one wants to cheer for an animal being hit with a whip,

“Opinion polls show overwhelmingly that people – including regular punters – don’t want to see horses being hit with whips, “ she said.

Independent polling commissioned by the RSPCA also found 3 out of 4 of Australians do not support the use of whips in racing, and 9 out of 10 people who watch or bet on racing regularly will continue to do so if horses are not hit with whips.

“While jockeys may need to carry a whip for emergency and safety reasons, they should not be used routinely.

“Horses will still win races - and people can still have parties - without whips,” said Ms Neil.

Rules around whipping allow jockeys to strike each horse up to 18 times throughout the race.

However, studies have shown that horses that are whipped do not have an increased chance of winning, and that 98% of horses are whipped without it influencing the outcome of the race. 

More information on the welfare issues in horse racing can be found on the RSPCA’s Knowledgebase.

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.