For some Australians, a day at the races is a tradition, a national pastime for people to have a punt and watch their favourite horse race along the track in hope of that big win.  But behind the celebratory air, is a dark side riddled with animal welfare issues. From the oversupply of racehorses, questionable training techniques, the use of whips and the physical toll racing takes on the horses involved, it's an industry that is in urgent need of improvement. The animal welfare science and the expectation of how we care for animals has moved considerably over the last two decades, as ..read more

Growing awareness of animal welfare has led many caring Australians to actively seek more conscious choices with the products they buy. For some products this is easy, with clear labels on the packaging that identify higher-welfare practices.  But when it comes to dairy these labels are largely absent, making it nearly impossible for the average shopper to know if the cheese or milk they select is from a producer with good standards of welfare for their cows.  Join Dr Natalie Roadknight – Senior Scientific Officer at RSPCA Australia to delve into all things dairy, including how dairy ..read more

Farmed ducks need our attention ...  Ducks are truly remarkable birds, curious and vocal; and it’s a delight for many to watch groups of these inquisitive animals waddle about their local parks and waterways. But what about farmed ducks? What is life like for them on a farm? What are the welfare issues we need to start quacking on with?  Join Dr. Sarah Babington - Scientific Officer at RSPCA Australia to answer these questions (and more!) in this episode of RSPCA's Great & Small Talk.  ..read more

Squishy faces, bulging eyes, curled tails ...  Unfortunately, these features can represent serious health and welfare issues for certain breeds of dogs and cats (like Pugs, French Bulldogs, British/English Bulldogs and Scottish Fold cats).  On this episode of Great & Small Talk, we chat with RSPCA Australia's Chief Science Officer Dr Suzie Fowler, to uncover the daily struggles experienced by these breeds as a result of the very features they’re known for, and what we can do help address these challenges.  ..read more

Mulesing is a painful surgical procedure that affects millions of Aussie sheep every year, but it's also a practice that many Australians know little about. One thing is for certain - mulesing is a welfare issue worth discussing, especially for those of us that choose to purchase products made from wool.  In this episode, join RSPCA  Australia Senior Scientific Officer Melina Tensen to get the facts.  ..read more

It can be a real minefield when it comes to egg labels, and conscious consumers want to be able to make a quick choice that they know is supporting good animal welfare.  With 16.8 million hens laying eggs through various production methods, the size and scale of the Australian egg industry means that there are actually a lot of different businesses involved in the production of an egg, and widely differing welfare standards and impacts for animals.  In Episode 1, we're talking all things egg and layer hen welfare with Talulah Gaunt, Manager - RSPCA Approved, to share valuable insight ..read more