Cage = Cruelty?

"Should animals be kept in cages?"

This question, often fraught with many ethical and moral considerations, was posed to Year 3 and 5 students from Newington College recently and they had to decide where they stood on the issue.

Education Officer, Eva Wong, went along to give the students an RSPCA perspective and discussed two prime examples of animals in cages including puppy factories and battery hens – two situations that we can all agree are not in the best interests of the animals.

The students were shocked to see the type of conditions some animals were kept and they were adamant that animals deserve better!

The next step was for the students to write an exposition, answering the question and stating their point of view.

Here are some quotes from their work...

“Would you like to live in a cage for your whole life?”

“It is obvious that animals should not be kept in cages because they cannot express their natural behaviour”

“It is cruel to keep animals in cages because it is not comfortable for them”

Thanks to Adrian, Thomas, Dhruv and Alexis from 5M for your opnions on the issue! J

Don't cage me in!

Best biscuits on the block!

Timing is everything in life and boy did a group of kids have the perfect timing recently! Holly, Tim, Claudia and Chelsea decided to hold their very first biscuit stall to fundraise for RSPCA NSW on the same weekend that a certain TV Show held their Open House which meant one thing – heaps of customers!

The kids made some mouth-watering biscuits and decorated their stall with all things RSPCA and animals to attract some much needed attention and support. Education Officer, Eva, sent along some RSPCA campaign info to assist the kids with educating potential customers about the plight of animals in need.

Holly, Tim, Claudia and Chelsea should be super proud of their efforts and confident in the knowledge that each and every dollar will help make a difference in the lives of the many animals which come through RSPCA NSW needing help.

Raising an amazing $320, it won’t be the last we see of these amazing individuals, making the promise  to run regular stalls throughout the year!



Getting ready for the big crowds!




Doing it for the animals!!




Nice...NEIGH!!




Meow Munchies!



Thank you #5...Call Centre!

We can all recall how Supermans' superhuman hearing has aided him in finding damsels in distress, well RSPCA NSW have their own super powers in finding animals in distress!

They’re called the ‘Call Centre’ and they are often the one connection between RSPCA NSW and an animal in need. Operating the phones with just a few staff members, the Call Centre staff are constantly fielding calls from sometimes very concerned and distressed members of the public and must then use their powers for good and find the RSPCA NSW team member who can help the animal in question.

Keeping it cool, calm and collected is their way, doing it for the animals is their game!

So next time you give RSPCA NSW a call, pass on a ‘thank you’, as we did, for the person at the other end, for they are listening to hundreds of calls for help from animals across the State everyday!

Thanks Anna for taking those tough calls!

Animal fun in the sun!

With the new year well and truly underway, the brand new January saw RSPCA NSW Education Team usher in their Summer School Holiday Program.

Week one down and the exploration into the world of animal welfare has been thouroughly thought provoking, sparking many conversations between RSPCA NSW Education Team members and their new bunch of Program participants.

Summer is one of the RSPCA’s busiest periods, where no place in RSPCA NSW is immune to it’s effects, least of all the Sydney RSPCA Veterinary Hospital who see their fair share of neglected, injured and sick animals on a daily basis. It was a good opportunity for participants to get an insight into what a career in Veterinary Science would be like and some of the challenges they would face when not all the animals they see would be their normal happy selves.

RSPCA NSW Training Manager and Veterinarian, Narelle Maxwell, left no secrets uncovered or knowledge unmentioned during the Program as she helped the participants journey through various aspects of animal health and behaviour.

If you would like to be a part of the fun, too late! For the Summer Program that is but not for future School Holiday Programs! If you would like to be on our waiting list and find at when our next School Holiday Program opens, email us at education@rspcansw.org.au



Hmm, is it clean in there?





CPR stat! He looks stuffed! :)



Lovely artists at Lakelands

The RSPCA NSW Education Team love receiving feedback about their Education Programs so what a wonderful new year surprise when Education Officer, Eva, received some words of wisdom from students at Lakelands Public School.

Following a visit last year to chat about the various elements of responsible pet ownership, students from Ms Prior’s class took colouring pencils to paper and documented all that they had learned.

For all  those adult pet owners out there...

Noah says you “have to walk your dog every day”

Jack reminds you that dogs and cats need “a needle every year”

Keira states that “a microchip helps our pets” if they are lost.

Love your work Lakelands Public and we hope to visit again soon!

Christmas came early...

For all the shelter animals at the RSPCA NSW Sydney Shelter!

RSPCA NSW has already launched their annual Christmas Appeal to help with the many more animals expected to arrive at our shelters over the holiday period but it's great to know that there is a wonderful appeal out there taking care of the presents!

The 'Give a Dog a Bone' and 'Keep Kitty Happy' appeal is doing amazing things by connecting businesses and generous members of the public with animals in needs. With collection points across Sydney, the appeal asks the public to donate toys, treats and food for those animals who need that extra little love over Christmas.

Education Officers, Eva and Zoe, have collected over 3 car loads of goodies for the RSPCA NSW shelter animals from just two of these collection points - Annandale Animal Hospital and Greencross Vets in Petersham.

Thank you to all those involved in the appeal and those who gave so generously! Life will be that much better for the animals who call currently call RSPCA NSW home - let's hope it's not for too much longer though!

Pressies under the RSPCA Christmas tree!



We promise the goodies go to the animals,
not Slade our Inspector :)



Thank You #4...Animal Attendants!

Responsible pet owners around the world are thinking the same thing, ‘if only I could train my dog to pick up its own poo!’ But alas, we are yet to stumble upon such a dog, although consuming said faeces definitely helps but is not encouraged.

So imagine the fun RSPCA Animal Attendants have everyday when their responsibility encompasses anything from a few rabbits and guinea pigs to a few hundred cats and dogs. When RSPCA staff attend to their animals needs, attend they do! With a routine that starts with the morning feed and cleaning for over two hours, providing environmental enrichment and mental stimulation throughout the day and making that all important match between a new family and their potential animal friend, it’s a big job but someone’s gotta do it!

So our next thank you card goes to all the Animal Attendants and staff at RSPCA Shelters who ensure that all those unwanted animals enjoy the love and care they deserve until they find their furever homes!

Shelter Manager, Adam, just goes on and on
and on...