Animal Welfare

IT'S COMING.... Since his infamous entrance into the limelight in 2015, ‘Chris the Sheep’ has continued to bewilder and amaze people around the world. Who knew an innocent tweet could thrust a single lost sheep onto the world stage? He's been reported by media outlets in just about every country you could name and has been featured on well-known news services and networks such as CNN, NBC, BBC, National Geographic, Huffington Post, and more! But this time, he’s making an appearance as the illustrated star of RSPCA ACT’s first children’s book, ‘The Misadventures of Chris the Sheep’. Of the

RSPCA ACT had another outstanding year for animal welfare outcomes, surpassing expectations again. During the financial year, 4063 domestic animals came into care at the Weston shelter. This number is very similar to last year’s statistics. However, the various species that made up these totals were different including: 68% increase in incoming poultry compared to last year because of Inspector activities, and nearly twice as many poultry (349) adopted as adult dogs (188); 9.5% decrease in incoming kittens and 7.6% reduction in overall felines – first decrease in 5 years after two years of a

In the early afternoon of Thursday 9th February, RSPCA ACT Inspectors responded to a complaint regarding a large number of animals at a property in Ainslie. Upon arrival, the Inspectors found hundreds of poultry, rabbits, guinea pigs and a cat at the suburban residence. Despite the high temperatures, many of the cages lacked basic food, water and shelter. The majority of the animals were lethargic and overheating with signs of cannibalism amongst the chickens. Many of the animals were in cramped conditions sharing small cages. RSPCA ACT staff members worked late into the evening to provide

An Aboriginal Circle Court has found 37 year old Macquarie woman, Shay Beattie guilty of the failure to provide adequate food for her dog, Thug. Ms Beattie was convicted before the Galambany Court consisting of Indigenous Elders, a specialised court within the ACT Magistrates Court established to sentence Indigenous offenders who plead guilty. Ms Beattie was ordered to pay $1,385 in reparation to RSPCA ACT and received a 2 year Good Behavioural Order, 100 hours of Community Service and a 10 year Animal Ban. RSPCA ACT Senior Inspector Catherine Croatto had this to say regarding the sentence,

In three cases involving multiple animals seized on five separate occasions, Chantel Carter, a 31 year old Kambah woman, has been convicted and sentenced under the Animal Welfare Act (1992) for failing to provide adequate food, shelter and water, failing to seek veterinary treatment to alleviate pain, as well as neglecting an animal to cause pain. On the 29th April 2015 police attended the defendant’s residence in relation to another matter and noticed dogs in the rear yard that were extremely skinny with their ribs and hip bones visible. Upon further inspection, other animals were located

‘Paddle for Paws’ this December! Burley Griffin Canoe Club (BGCC) has selected RSPCA ACT as their charity partner for their annual ‘24 Hour Paddle Challenge’. The event will take place from the 3rd – 4th December 2016 and is a fantastic challenge for both competitive and recreational paddlers. Have some fun on the water while raising money for animals in need at the same time. You can paddle solo, or as a competitive or social team with shorter race categories for those who think that 24 hours is too extreme. Never paddled before? Don’t worry, it doesn't matter! Even RSPCA ACT staff members

On 12 September 2016 Griffith resident, Stephen Braddon was found guilty of abandoning an animal and failing to seek vet treatment for a burned cat owned by his partner. More than twelve months earlier, RSPCA ACT Inspectors asked the public for help on this horrific case involving a severely burned cat that was dumped at the Weston shelter after hours. CCTV footage showed a female and male carrying the crate and driving away in a sedan. A public plea was made to help identify the people involved. The cat initially escaped on 20 August 2015 from the unsecured milk crate it was left in outside

Chisholm woman Cynthia Lawrence has been charged and found guilty for multiple offences under the Animal Welfare Act after 156 animals were seized from her residence. The charges included failure to provide adequate food, water, and shelter. Additional charges of failure to take reasonable steps to alleviate pain were also brought before the courts. In February 2015, RSPCA ACT Inspectors attended the Chisholm home after concerns were raised for the welfare of the poultry living in the yard. Upon arrival, the front yard was littered with debris with ducks and chickens sighted roaming through

Lyons woman Nora Kalolo has been charged just $200 and a lifetime animal ownership ban after she left a dog in her care to die a slow and inhumane death in her backyard. The small Pomeranian Cross was suffering severely from multiple organ disease and advanced stages of renal failure. Inspectors found the dog comatose, extremely thin, sunken eyed and with laboured breathing. Flies and ants were observed on the dog’s body with maggots found in its mouth. The animal was immediately seized and taken to RSPCA ACT for veterinary consultation and had to be euthanised. Observations showed that the

For the third year running, RSPCA ACT has recorded yet another record breaking year! The animal welfare figures for 2015/16 demonstrate the organisation’s continued efforts and commitment to improve animal welfare across the Territory. RSPCA ACT has recorded its highest rehoming rates ever across the board with puppy euthanasia at an all-time low with only three of the 243 incoming puppies being euthanised in the last year. Feline euthanasia was also at an record low with rehoming numbers just below 90% and would have been much higher if we did not account for the large number of incoming