RSPCA Australia Information & RSPCA Australia Links at HealthHaven.com

RSPCA Australia Inc
RSPCA Australia Inc
Formation	1981
Headquarters	Deakin, Australian Capital Territory
President	Lynne Bradshaw
Website	www.rspca.org.au

RSPCA Australia (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) is an Australian organisation that promotes animal welfare. It is funded in part by the Australian Government but relies on corporate sponsorship, fundraising events and voluntary donations for its income.

RSPCA Australia defines its purpose as being the leading authority in animal care and protection, and to prevent cruelty to animals by actively promoting their care and protection.^[1]

RSPCA Inspectors are of the Special Constable Police rank, and often attend prosecutions of animal mutilators and abusers.

[edit] History

The first meeting of the RSPCA 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 Australia 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 SPCAs in 1956.

The national Council of RSPCA Australia meet 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 welfare issues.

[edit] Mission statement

The objectives of the Society are:

To prevent cruelty to animals by enforcing the existing laws.
To procure the passage of such amending or new legislation as is necessary for the protection of animals.
To sustain an intelligent public opinion regarding animal welfare.
To take whatsoever steps are necessary to educate the community with regard to the humane treatment of animals.
To diffuse information about the care, protection and treatment of animals by publishing and circulating literature and conducting lectures, seminars and competitions.
To conduct, manage, operate or encourage clinics, hospitals, homes or shelters for the care, treatment, maintenance and protection of animals, and to acquire and conduct ambulance and/or other means of relevant animal transport.