Opening Hours

Animal Viewing Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 10am - 3pm

General Hours: 
Most Days: 9am - 5pm
Wednesdays:  10am - 5pm
CLOSED: Sundays and Public Holidays

Our Shelter will be closed to the public the first Wednesday of each month.

Animal Welfare Changes Passed in ACT Legislative Assembly

RSPCA ACT would like to congratulate the ACT Legislative Assembly for changes made to the Animal Welfare in the ACT.

Today political parties put aside their differences and came together to prove that the welfare of animals is of paramount importance in the ACT. A unanimous vote for the Animal Welfare Amendment Act 2016 has passed, with RSPCA ACT amongst the organisations that were approached to provide consultation on the changes.

“The amendments will better support our Inspectors as they prosecute cases of neglect as well as implement compliance and other enforcement activities. We see this as a great step for animal welfare in our community,” said RSPCA ACT CEO Tammy Ven Dange.

Notable changes include:

  • The amendments to the Act will make it easier to clearly define when neglect or cruelty has occurred and who is responsible for the welfare of the animal.
  • A new provision stating that a person in charge of an animal has a duty to care for it. A person who fails to take reasonable steps to provide for an animal’s basic needs, or who abandons their animal, may be guilty of an offence for which the maximum penalty is 100 penalty units ($15,000), imprisonment for one year, or both.
  • Broadened range of orders for the court to enforce the law and prevent animal neglect and cruelty.

“While we believe this is a great step to improve animal welfare, there still needs to be significant reform to increase the penalties in the Animal Welfare Act. Our research has shown that the ACT consistently has the one of the lowest penalty rates for animal cruelty when compared to other state and territories in Australia. The public can be assured that we will continue to work with government to influence additional changes in the future.”

To view the legislation visit www.legislation.act.gov.au