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

RSPCA Australia commends SunPork’s announcement today that they are moving away from the traditional farrowing crate and introducing their innovative ‘maternity ring’ — giving sows more freedom of movement.

This Australian, industry-led approach represents a big leap forward to address the extreme confinement of sows in farrowing crates that are barely bigger than the sow herself, which are commonly used across pig breeding farms in Australia.

The maternity ring enables the sow to move around, express highly-motivated nesting behaviours, and interact with her piglets and other sows.

Melina Tensen, Senior Scientific Officer (Farm Animals) at RSPCA Australia said that the RSPCA has seen these maternity rings in practice and reviewed the available research to date and believes that it will result in meaningful benefits for the welfare of the sow and her piglets.

“Traditional farrowing crates confine the sow from just before giving birth to when her piglets are weaned, denying her any ability to carry out innate nesting and maternal behaviours,” she said.

“Sows confined to crates also risk injuries due to extended lying on hard surfaces and by the difficulty in changing positions within the crate.

“They have trouble resting properly and regulating their body temperature due to movement restriction.

“We commend SunPork’s work over many years that has now resulted in a viable alternative to the farrowing crate.

“For pig producers, now is the time for an industry-wide transition to abandon all forms of extreme confinement of pigs — no more stalls and no more crates.”

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.