We kept it short at Port...

...Macquarie High School. There was no need for a lengthy introduction or explanation about the nature of the animal cruelty that RSPCA NSW deals with on a daily basis because the Year 8 and 9 Agriculture students were quick to relay their own experiences and knowledge on the issues.

Education Officers, Zoe and Eva, were impressed by the passion the students expressed in relation to the various animal welfare issues surrounding what constitutes 'animal cruelty' according to the legislation. The minimum legal standards for some ways of interacting, housing and caring for animals were a shock to some students who would have afforded their animals a much higher standard of welfare.

When the discussion turned to what we understand as natural behaviours for canines (students stated that "barking is normal, even if we don't always appreciate it!"), one student mentioned how unnatural it was for exotic animals to be performing as circus acts. Spot on! RSPCA NSW knows that circus life does not meet the needs of exotic animals like lions, elephants and monkeys and yet they are kept for prolonged periods in close confinement and artificial social groups all for the purpose of entertainment. Find out more about our campaign to ban the use of exotic animals in circuses here.


Some images can be confronting but it was great to hear
everyones perspective on the issue