What Is Good Animal Welfare?
What is animal cruelty?
Before we consider animal welfare, let’s define animal cruelty. In Victoria, animal cruelty is defined by law under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.
Broadly, there are two categories of animal cruelty our RSPCA Inspectors investigate.
Deliberate cruelty
Deliberate cruelty includes beating, overworking, abusing, wounding or carrying out procedures such as ear cropping or tail docking.
Neglect
Neglect (or failing to provide adequate care) includes not providing the basics such as clean water, food or shelter. It is also considered neglect if an owner fails to take their sick or injured animal to the vet.
Reporting animal cruelty or neglect
Are there penalties for animal cruelty?
A person who is found guilty of committing either deliberate cruelty or neglect is liable for a financial penalty of up to $45,435 or 12 months’ imprisonment. In addition, anyone who commits aggravated cruelty, being an act or acts which result in the death or serious disablement of an animal, is liable to a financial penalty of up to $90,870 or 2 years’ imprisonment. Prosecutions can also result in criminal convictions, community corrections orders, and compulsory behaviour change or intervention programs. Control orders (banning orders) around the types and/or numbers of animals people are allowed to keep can also be made, including lifetime bans.
How to contact RSPCA Victoria’s Inspectors?
- If you believe an animal’s life is at immediate risk, please call us now on 03 9224 2222.
- You can make an online report 24 hours a day at rspcavic.org/report
What happens when you make a report to the Inspectorate?
- All reports are investigated. However, more urgent reports are prioritised.
- You are protected under the Privacy Act and your details will not be passed on and will remain confidential.
- It does help having someone to contact, especially if the Inspector requires more information such as the location of the premises/animal(s) etc.
- Confidentiality applies both ways and as a result, you will not necessarily receive updates or outcomes with respect to the case.
Deliberate Cruelty
Deliberate cruelty includes beating, overworking, abusing, wounding or carrying out procedures such as ear cropping or tail docking.
Neglect
Neglect includes not providing the basics such as clean water, food or shelter. It is also considered neglect if an owner fails to take their sick or injured animal to the vet.
What is good animal welfare?
The welfare of an animal includes both physical and mental states. Ensuring good animal welfare goes beyond preventing pain, suffering or distress. It is about ensuring animals can express their natural behaviour in an enriching environment while feeling safe. As such, providing good animal welfare means providing animals with all the necessary elements to ensure their physical and mental health, as well as a sense of positive individual wellbeing. Combined, these provide a good quality of life.
RSPCA Victoria recommends these five aspects of animal welfare are considered to ensure the health and wellbeing of every pet.
Nutrition
Animals need clean drinking water readily available and access to the proper amount of nutritious food to help them grow and stay strong and healthy.
Environment
Animals need places to shelter from the wind, rain and heat. The shelter should be clean and provide somewhere for the animal to rest. In addition, the shelter should be large enough that the animal can move around freely inside it.
Health
Animals should visit a vet at least once a year for a check-up and to receive vaccinations against a range of infectious diseases. They should also visit a vet at other times if they show any signs of pain, injury or illness.
Behaviour
Animals should be able to exercise regularly and enjoy mental stimulation through toys and games.
Mental Health
Most animals need company to feel safe and secure – this could be company with other animals or humans.
If you believe animal cruelty is occurring, you can report it to RSPCA Victoria’s Inspectorate via an online form or by phone. If you believe an animal’s life is at immediate risk, please phone us on (03) 9224 2222 to make your report.
Community languages
We are currently in the process of translating this information for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. We will continue to add translations as we progress with this project.
