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
take action live sheep export alternate
Priority issue
Australia is closer than it has ever…
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 Adoptapet website
Make a difference to a pet’s life today.
Search Adoptapet

The RSPCA is shocked to learn that the Australian Government has granted a permit to the live export company at the centre of tonight’s scandal to set sail in a few days with tens of thousands more Australian sheep on-board.

The Awassi Express, owned by controversial exporter Emanuel Exports, arrived in Fremantle shortly ahead of an explosive 60 Minutes expose revealed horrific routine conditions on board.

All exporters, not just Emanuel Exports, routinely crowd sheep into pens – with no room for them to lie down or be able to easily access feed and water. Sheep suffer terribly on every journey.

In the evidence gathered from the Emanuel Exports ship, thousands of Australia sheep died and tens of thousands more suffered across multiple voyages: essentially cooked alive, thrown overboard alive, starved and dehydrated, buried in their own waste, unable to stand and unable to move.

RSPCA Australia CEO Heather Neil has tonight written to Agriculture Minister David Littleproud to voice the organisation’s grave concern over the alarming determination to allow the shipment to proceed despite overwhelming evidence of the failure of the Standards.

“From decades of experience with the live export industry and sitting at the table during the development and review of ASEL, we are convinced that it would be absolutely impossible for the ‘additional specific conditions’ outlined by the Department to be sufficient to meet the animal health and welfare outcomes required under the Export Control (Animals) Order 2004” stated the letter.

“It also defies belief that anyone in the Department could form the view that Emanuel Exports could adequately meet the conditions outlined in the letter of 5 April 2018 from the Department, and protect the welfare of sheep to a level expected by the Australian community,” said Ms Neil, in the letter.

The RSPCA will continue to urge Australians to take action at liveexport.rspca.org.au/take-action

 

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.