RSPCA ACT

Yesterday I decided to tag along with our RSPCA ACT Inspectors for the afternoon. They investigated seven different complaints within a two-hour period and all but one was related to what we would call a ‘nuisance’ complaint – most frequently that of dogs barking. Barking dogs are not actually covered by the Animal Welfare Act which is the legislation that our Inspectors enforce. The majority of the time we will turn these types of calls over to the Rangers at Domestic Animals Services (DAS). However on occasion, the person lodging the complaint will describe other welfare issues which we will

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is mandatory in the ACT, we still see too many animals that either come in without a microchip, or with details being outdated.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

RSPCA ACT is aiming to clear the shelter this Friday and Saturday (21 and 22 February) with animals being available for adoption at a heavily discounted fee of $29. Last year, 108 animals that were available for adoption found their forever homes. ‘Clear the Shelter’ is a national RSPCA initiative and shelters in VIC, SA, ACT, NSW, NT, WA and QLD are all participating. RSPCA ACT CEO Michelle Robertson has high hopes that all the animals available for adoption this weekend will find their forever homes. “At the RSPCA in the ACT, we currently have over 300 animals in our care, of which we expect

RSPCA ACT welcomes the passing of the Animal Welfare Legislation Amendment Bill 2019 which was debated in the Legislative Assembly Today. RSPCA ACT CEO Michelle Robertson said that the organisation is in favour of many amendments in the bill, and she thanked the members of the Assembly for their support towards continuous improvement in animal welfare outcomes. “The team at the RSPCA ACT want to see the absence of cruelty to animals. We need strong laws to help protect animals and to deter animal cruelty. We also need strong sentencing to be passed down for animal cruelty offences that will

RSPCA ACT has provided significant input into the Bill and we are very encouraged by the ACT Governments push to have animals recognised as sentient beings. The RSPCA in the ACT believes that most Canberrans are responsible and loving pet owners, and foresee very little impact that the proposed changes to the Animal Welfare Legislation will have on them on a daily basis. The proposed changes could, however, have a significant impact on pet owners who continuously do the wrong thing. The RSPCA ACT Inspectorate’s ability to take punitive and corrective measures will also be strengthened by a

Time is running out; Million Paws Walk 2019 is only 2 days away and we’re hosting the greatest Post-Election Party the capital will ever see! Regardless of your preferred party or candidate, join us on Sunday where we’ll forget about politics, and vote on the real things that matter… like waggliest tail, best dressed and cutest canine couple. There’s pooches, there’s prizes, food and music. The day is sure to be a great hit with the entire family! Every pooch and pup is welcome regardless of breed, size and age. Don’t forget to make sure that your canine companion is up to date with

This Sunday, 19 May thousands of people and their pooches across Australia will walk together to take a stand against animal cruelty. We have it on good authority that the Canberra pooch community has started putting their best paw forward and deciding on their most stylish leads in preparation. You’ll find us down at the beautiful Patrick White Laws in front of the National Library of Australia from 9am, with the official walk starting at 11am. In addition to the walk, there will be plenty of retails stalls with merchandise and poochy treats, food vendors for the humans, music and dog