Media Releases

The ACT Magistrate Court has sentenced a woman to a 12-month good behaviour order and a two-year animal ban. This follows charges, and a subsequent guilty plea, of aggravated cruelty causing the animal's death. RSPCA ACT Inspectors commenced investigations into the report of a deceased dog in June 2021. Investigations revealed that the defendant provided minimal food to the German Shepard dog named Lucy, which was gifted to her. ***Trigger Warning*** Lucy became so malnourished that her skeletal features were visible, and her condition deteriorated to such an extent that she passed away. Our

RSPCA ACT is seeking meowvellous cat-speaking, cat loving Canberrans to open up their homes and hearts to be foster carers for kitties in need. As the months grow warmer, the shelter expects to be seeing another influx of kittens requiring care, socialisation and loving hands until they find their forever homes. During the 2022 financial year, RSPCA ACT rehomed 750 cats and kittens who were homeless and unowned. These cats or kittens were either trapped by RSPCA ACT staff or were rescued and brought into the shelter by members of the public. CEO Michelle Robertson says that “foster care is

RSPCA ACT is reminding Canberra pet owners who value their friend-chips with their furry friends, to get them chipped and if they are already chipped, to check that all details are up to date. CEO Michelle Robertson explains that “regardless that microchipping is mandatory in the ACT, we still see too many animals that either come in without a microchip, or with details being outdated. “If your pet goes missing, a microchip will help to quickly identify your pet and have them reunited with you as soon as possible. And this is one of our goals, to reunite people with their pets as fast as

With the new cat containment laws introduced and extended across the ACT. Here are some puurfect tips to help keep your four legged friend pawsitively happy and content at home. Peek-a-boo!: Cats like to whisker themselves away into hiding places during their downtime. They mix it up between bright and sunny windows and dark corners, wardrobes and under the bed. Cats are also very fond of spying on the neighbourhood from an elevated spot too. Hiding places can be as simple as a cardboard box, a big fluffy cat bed or igloo or one of your drawers of clothing. Cat trees are also a wonderful

With Christmas only days away, RSPCA ACT is reminding Canberran pet owners about the dangers of festive foods for animals, with some common Christmas treats being very harmful for pets to consume. RSPCA ACT is hopeful that by putting out these messages for pet owners, that it would help avoid potential calamity and a trip to the emergency veterinary hospital. RSPCA ACT CEO Michelle Robertson says that usually it is customary for a wonderful assortment of rich foods to be cooked and consumed during the Christmas holiday season and that owners should be informed about which human food or drinks

With over 200 cats and kittens in care, RSPCA ACT is looking for purrfect forever homes for a number of felines currently available for adoption. RSPCA ACT CEO Michelle Robertson says, “Our cattery is full of beautiful adult cats desperate to find their forever homes. We’ve had a number of cats in care for a long period of time and we want to find them their perfect match just in time for Christmas” To help make room for other vulnerable cats and kittens on our long surrender wait list who are in need of help, RSPCA ACT is making adult cats available for adoption for $99. This will be case

For one day only, animal lovers will be given a rare opportunity to double the dollars they donate to RSPCA ACT. “Give to Get Them Home” is being held on Thursday, 1 October and is a 24 hour maximum impact dollar matching initiative. RSPCA ACT CEO Michelle Robertson said that “we know Canberrans are currently feeling the strain in their back pockets, so dollar matching fundraising events are a wonderful way for even the smallest donation to make a big difference.” She especially thanked the donors who provided the seed dollar-matching funds. “These special people made it possible for the ACT

The countdown is on and we’re only days away. This Friday marks the start of Million Paws Walk: Walk this May! We hope that dogs around Canberra are fluffing their coats while the humans are putting on their active wear to grab the lead and practice their socially distant walks for a good cause. RSPCA ACT CEO Michelle Robertson looks forward to seeing Canberrans getting behind this virtual event throughout the month of May. “Like so many other pet owners, I have derived much comfort from my pooches over the recent challenging months. Unfortunately, not every animal in the ACT receives the care