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. Stranded sheep must be offloaded

17 August 2011

The RSPCA is demanding the immediate offloading of the 67,000 sheep stranded on the livestock vessel MV Al Messilah at the Adelaide Port.  

“The fact that the master of the vessel has denied the RSPCA access is a matter of deep concern,” said RSPCA Australia CEO Heather Neil.

“If these sheep are coping as well as they suggest, why wouldn’t they allow this to be independently verified?” 

“Even if this ship was to depart today, these sheep face nearly a month on this vessel heading into the extremes of the Middle East summer. Both the exporter and government know that the longer the voyage the higher the deaths and suffering. It would be unconscionable to now allow this shipment to leave.”

The Federal Department of Agriculture has confirmed that offloading the sheep and processing them in Australia is an option and the RSPCA believes it should be the only option on the table.  

“These sheep have already been subjected to an unacceptable eight day ordeal. The only responsible decision is to unload them today. At least if these animals are killed here they won’t face the horrors of being slaughtered while fully conscious in the Middle East. 

“Clearly this is a further PR disaster for the live export industry, at the worst possible time, with legislation being voted on in parliament tomorrow that if supported will wind up the live export trade.

“But if this shipment departs and mass deaths occur as a result, the public will have absolute confirmation of the heartless nature of this industry.”

 

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.