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1871
4 July - Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) formed in Victoria.
Followed by Tasmania (1872), New South Wales (1873), South Australia (1875), Westen Australia (1892) and Northern Territory (1965).
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1923
SPCAs granted a Royal Warrant, becoming known as Royal Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).
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1955
23 August - SPCA formed in ACT.
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1956
SPCA (ACT) affiliates with RSPCA in London
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1959
26 November - Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance 1959 comes into effect.
Defined by 16 examples of cruelty to animals and a new offence of ‘aggravated cruelty’ is introduced.
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1973
July - Opposition to all wildlife exhibits in the ACT.
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1978
SPCA (ACT) granted Royal Charter and to be known as RSPCA (ACT).
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1981
29 March – RSPCA ACT declares opposition to rodeos
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1984
21 September - RSPCA ACT calls for all circuses with animal acts to be banned in Canberra.
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1985
Introduction of desexing education campaign for dogs and cats.
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1992
February – RSPCA ACT presented with an Advance Australia Award for its contribution to animal welfare.
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1992
2 November – Animal Welfare ACT 1992 replaces Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance 1959.
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1995
May – First Million Paws Walk event in ACT.
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2003
18 January – Firestorm destroys three RSPCA ACT buildings. Three animals perished in the blaze.
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2009
Backyard/unlicensed fireworks banned in the ACT.
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2012
RSPCA ACT Foster Care program launched. Kittery is converted into Tango’s Place, a public cat boarding facility.
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2017
Project: SAFE is launched, offering emergency boarding for animals with a high focus on helping families in crisis such as escaping family violence.
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2018
April - Greyhound racing banned in the ACT.
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2019
Infrastructure updates implemented, including emergency boarding kennels and condos for cats and rabbits.
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2019
RSPCA ACT desexing clinic opened
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2019
October – Rental tenancy laws pass offering protections for pets in rentals
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2020
Animals recognised as sentient beings in ACT Animal Welfare Act, a first in Australia
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2020
Election commitment by ACT Government to build a new, fit for purpose facility for RSPCA ACT in the next term of government.
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2021
Amidst COVID pandemic, RSPCA ACT listed on essential worker register. Surge in animal adoptions
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2022
Cat containment laws introduced including cat registration in ACT.
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2023
RSPCA ACT adds infrastructure and improved capacity to cater for small/exotic animals including birds, ferrets, guinea pigs, lizards and more.
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2024
March – RSPCA ACT becomes Company Limited by Guarantee.
The RSPCA ACT animal shelter first opened in 1955 on it’s current site in Weston, ACT, joining branches in Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, and Western Australia. The Northern Territory was added as a society member in 1965.
The RSPCA’s history in Australia dates back to 1871, when a public meeting to discuss the ill treatment of horses in Victoria led to the formation of Australia’s first Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
In May 1980 the eight RSPCA Societies met in Melbourne and agreed unanimously to form a properly constituted national Society.
The new organisation was named RSPCA Australia and formally constituted in the ACT under the requirements of the then Companies Act. Following this, the first meeting of RSPCA Australia was held in February 1981.
The animal shelter and RSPCA ACT headquarters at Weston covers approximately 1.5 hectares.
The site comprises five main buildings, kennel space for about 60 adult dogs and puppies, living space and cat runs for 40 cats and kittens, bird aviaries, and two wombat rehabilitation enclosures.
The shelter has dog and puppy training yards, retail shop, and a veterinary clinic for shelter animals.
Just as we have done at the beginning of our organisation’s history, we continue to help, protect and advocate for better welfare for animals in the ACT.
