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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
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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.
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On 1 July 2024, the Federal Government…
Live sheep export

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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.
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Media release: Live sheep export unfixable, unnecessary, unacceptable – and now, soon to be unlawful
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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.
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RSPCA Animal Welfare Seminar 2025
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The RSPCA is an independent, community-based charity providing animal care and protection services across the country.
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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.
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  4. Microchipping
Microchipping

Microchipping your pet is very important. If your pet becomes lost then you are far more likely to become reunited if he or she is microchipped.

A microchip is a permanent method of electronic identification. The chip itself is very small – about the size of a grain of rice – and is implanted just under the skin, between the shoulder blades at the back of your pet's neck. Each chip has a unique number that is detected using a microchip scanner. The microchip number is recorded on a database registry with details about the animal and owner. Should your pet stray or become lost, vets, animal shelters and local councils can scan your pet for a microchip and contact you via the database.

It is very important to keep your contact details up to date on the database so that if you move house or change your phone number you will still be contactable in the event of your pet becoming lost/stray.

Ideally your pet should be microchipped prior to you purchasing or adopting your pet. This is the only way to effectively trace the origin of the cat/dog. However, if your pet is not yet microchipped then we recommend that you make an appointment to do so with your vet (even in those states or territories where microchipping is not compulsory).

Microchip identification is recommended for all companion animals where it is appropriate and feasible for the species.

If a pet is transferred to a new owner, the new owner must ensure their contact details are recorded on the database.

For more information on microchipping, visit the Knowledgebase.

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