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. Truth and proof have never been more…

RSPCA Australia continues to express grave concerns over the prolonged and severe heat stress likely to be suffered by Australian sheep on board the Al Kuwait during the upcoming high-risk voyage.

The RSPCA believes the known risks associated with such an export – which is only taking place under an extraordinary exemption from recent federal regulations introduced to protect the welfare of animals subjected to live export – mean the shipment should not go ahead.

“Despite repeatedly seeking assurances from the government, we remain gravely concerned about what these sheep will face as a result of this rushed and severely compromised government decision,” said Senior Policy Officer Dr Jed Goodfellow

“Given the time of year, there is absolutely no doubt that the sheep on this voyage will experience significant suffering as a result of sustained temperatures exceeding their heat stress thresholds.

“No amount of extra space or other conditions can prevent this – that’s exactly why the Northern Summer Prohibition Order and the industry’s own voluntary moratorium on exports was introduced,” he said.

The dangers of sending Australian animals from winter conditions into the heat and humidity of the Middle Eastern summer are well known and documented at both the state and federal government levels, and these foreseeable conditions may place this shipment in breach of animal protection laws.

The RSPCA has urged the federal Minister to ensure an independent observer travels on board (as per current government policy) to monitor and report on the conditions the animals face.

“This is especially crucial given the history of misreporting in the trade,” said Dr Goodfellow.

“Without a truly independent observer on board, there will be no way of knowing how these sheep are faring as they are forced to endure the inevitable heat stress of a Middle Eastern summer,” he said.

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.