RSPCA Australia

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The first meeting of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Australia (RSPCA Australia) was held in February 1981. During 1980 two meetings were held to determine the formation of a national RSPCA body. The objective of RSPCA Australia is to provide a national presence for the RSPCA movement and to promote unity and a commonality of purpose between the state and territory based bodies.

The Australian based RSPCA societies owe their origins to the SPCA movement in the United Kingdom. Although no formal link exists between the RSPCA in both countries it is the UK experience that lead to the formation of societies in the Australian colonies.

The first Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Australian was formed in the colony of Victoria in 1871. This was followed by Tasmania in 1872; New South Wales in 1873; South Australia in 1875; Queensland in 1883; Western Australia in 1892; Australian Capital Territory in 1955 and Northern Territory in 1965.

The royal warrant was given to all the SPCA's in 1956.

The national council of the RSPCA Australia meets three times a year. Each affiliate RSPCA has two members on the national council. The council meets to formulate new policies and offer advice to government and industry bodies on animal wealfare issues.

The RSPCA Australia defines its purpose as being: "To prevent cruelty to animals by actively promoting their care and protection." "To be the leading authority in animal care and protection."

On 14 February 2007 the RSPCA in Toowoomba, Australia killed a pregnant dog after just one behavioural assessment which resulted in severe criticism of the animal assessment policies of the RSPCA. A major point of criticism was that the RSPCA staff was not sufficiently interested in saving animals but preferred easy solutions.