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
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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.
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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
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Donate now to support your local RSPCA and make a difference to animal welfare across Australia
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About

The RSPCA is an independent, community-based charity providing animal care and protection services across the country.
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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.
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Visit the Adoptapet website
Make a difference to a pet’s life today.
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Farm animal welfare

The RSPCA is committed to improving the welfare of the millions of animals on farms across Australia.

The most meaningful way that we can achieve this is by encouraging continuous improvement for farm animal welfare at a government, industry, producer and corporate level.

The RSPCA firmly grounds its policies, communications, and activities in the most current animal welfare science.

Here’s how we’re working to drive improvements from many angles to make the lives of Australia’s farm animals better. We’ve made significant progress in some areas, but there’s still a long way to go and we need your support.

What we stand for

Improving farm animal welfare

The RSPCA’s science-based approach forms the foundation for our role in Australian agriculture.

governments
Governments
  • Providing advice to government and key decision makers about animal welfare
  • Participation in working groups and panels to provide advice on animal welfare
  • Enabling the public to convey their concerns directly to government and decision makers
  • Holding governments accountable for decisions that impact animal welfare
  • Highlighting gaps and differences in animal welfare regulation across Australia
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Farmers
  • Develop higher welfare standards that producers are able to meet and achieve RSPCA Approved certification against
  • Participation in industry working groups, panels and frameworks to provide expert advice on animal welfare, helping to keep animal welfare on the agenda
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Food Business
  • Advice about sourcing policies and how businesses can transition to working with higher welfare farming systems
  • Support for cafes and restaurants choosing cage-free eggs through the RSPCA’s Choose Wisely initiative
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Consumers
  • The RSPCA Approved logo signals certified higher welfare product
  • Choose Wisely directory providing guidance on to consumers wanting to support higher welfare when they are dining out
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Community
  • Providing access to science-based advice and information on the RSPCA Knowledgebase
  • Educating and informing about current farm animal welfare issues and what you can do to help
  • Developing and sharing resources that help explain complex animal welfare issues
  • Developing and sharing education resources that help teach kids about why caring about farm animals is important
The reality is the majority of Australians include meat and products from animals in their diet, and the RSPCA wants these consumers to support farmers who prioritise animal welfare.

Making higher welfare choices leads to increased uptake of higher welfare farming practices along the supply chain.

This in turn leads to farm animals benefitting from better conditions.

our role working with farmers
Working with farmers

Agriculture in Australia

The RSPCA works with a wide range of stakeholders in the livestock sector, to improve the standards and conditions for farm animal welfare. Our work with farmers includes supporting research and development, engaging with producers through the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme, and actively contributing to the Standards and Guidelines processes for different livestock industries, to advocate for improvements to animal welfare.
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Explore related content

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Offsite
Visit the RSPCA Approved Website
The RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme focuses on improving the lives of farm animals and making higher welfare eggs, meat and fish readily available.
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Knowledgebase • Offsite
Visit the RSPCA Knowledgebase
The Knowledgebase features hundreds of evidence-based articles on animal welfare issues, responsible pet ownership, and the RSPCA’s policies and positions.
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Podcast
Find out all things farm animal welfare, food and farming in Australia with our host Brian Daly.
In engaging and enlightening episodes, the RSPCA’s Humane Food Podcast explores a range of topics that we know interest Australians.
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RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme

For 27 years, the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme has been improving the lives of Australia’s farmed animals.

The RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme is Australia’s leading independent certification scheme focused on animal welfare. We work closely with farmers to make a positive impact on the lives of Australia’s most intensively farmed animals by providing an environment that meets their needs. More than 5 billion hens, pigs, chickens, turkeys and salmon have benefitted from higher welfare conditions since the Scheme began.

Find out which brands have products with RSPCA Approved certification and learn about how together, we can improve the lives of Australian farm animals. Click here for the latest news.

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