Positions - Companion Animals

SPCA supports pinnectomy procedures only when conducted by a veterinarian, or a veterinary student under the direct supervision of a veterinarian, for therapeutic reasons and where adequate and appropriate medical care is provided prior to, during and after the operation, including anaesthesia and analgesia.

SPCA opposes the prophylactic and cosmetic docking and banding of dogs’ tails.

SPCA opposes all body modifications of companion animals carried out for non-therapeutic reasons.

SPCA supports pet shops acting as a rehoming point for shelter animals, provided the animals’ physical, health, and behavioural needs can be met. SPCA supports the rehoming of desexed, vaccinated, and microchipped animals, as appropriate to the species and individual animal.

SPCA advocates for all companion cats, dogs, and other companion animals as deemed appropriate, to be desexed before selling or rehoming, except registered breeding animals.

SPCA supports responsible breeding practices which prioritise animal welfare and advocates for desexing of non-breeding animals. SPCA opposes the selective breeding of any animal that results in behavioural or physical diseases or defects that negatively affects the health and welfare of the animal concerned.

SPCA advocates that prospective animal owners acquire their companion animal from SPCA Centres or other reputable animal rescue organisations, where possible.

SPCA advocates that when an animal is euthanased, the method adopted must be humane, painless, minimise fear and distress for the animal, and must result in rapid loss of consciousness followed by death.

SPCA advocates that when an animal is euthanased, the method adopted must minimise fear and distress for the animal and must result in rapid loss of consciousness followed by death.

SPCA is concerned about the welfare of cats housed in cat cafés and the increasing prevalence and lack of regulation of cat cafés.