Sentient, The Veterinary Institute for Animal Ethics

08/09/2025

We are thrilled to hear the Great Koala National Park designed to protect thousands of native and threatened species on the state's mid north coast is one step closer. NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe has announced the proposed boundary of what could become the state's largest national park at 476,000 hectares. The Great Koala National Park will connect existing national parks and will run inland of Coffs Harbour, going south down to Kempsey and as far north as Grafton. This is home to more than 12,000 koalas as well as 100 threatened species, including greater gliders. Also, more than 175,000 hectares of state forest will be added to the existing reserves in the area.

The NSW government announces the proposed boundary of what could become the state's largest national park on the mid north coast.

31/08/2025

In a landmark RSPCA prosecution, two pig hunters in WA have been charged with animal cruelty offences. In 2023 these individuals captured feral pigs then released them for their dogs, uploading the footage online to a YouTube account, which is how they were detected. The attached footage is highly distressing, and shows terrified pigs whose death was prolonged for the purpose of boasting of the cruelty on social media. One perpetrator showed no remorse, reportedly stating he was "doing the world a favour." The hunters were fined a combined $52,000 but were given a spent conviction. Sentient applauds RSPCA WA's successful prosecution of animal cruelty in pig hunting in the state but we disagree with the Magistrate's decision regarding a spent conviction and also with her clarification that: "This prosecution is not directed to stopping pig hunting, but the need to balance legal practices with animal welfare considerations." Whilst this is an extreme case, pig hunting is inherently cruel and there is no way of regulating this.

A West Australian magistrate lashes two pig hunters who delayed their kills to capture the moment for social media.

26/08/2025

On World Dog Day we celebrate these precious beings and thank them for the joy and companionship they bring to so many. It must be our mission to do all we can to advocate for dogs who are unsafe and suffering, whether they are wild dogs being shot at or poisoned, dogs whose carers cannot afford veterinary care and dogs who are abandoned, impounded or trapped in brutal trades, including dog fighting and racing. They all deserve our compassion and respect.

26/08/2025

Cat over-population is a serious welfare issue and too many politicians are arguing for cruel approaches that demonise these wonderful animals. Sentient promotes this amazing workshop hosted by G2Z which offers vets and vet nurses professional training in desexing. You can be part of the most humane solution to cat overpopulation! Register now as places are running out. The event will be held in Brisbane from September 19 to 21.

As always, we are keeping things fresh and relevant and with that in mind we are excited to announce that will be held online.

19/08/2025

Sentient applauds Media Watch and reporter Julia Baird for airing this program about the Victorian Agriculture Department's failure to act on evidence of animal cruelty filmed by the Farm Transparency Project. It is outrageous that animal activists are then silenced while the government does nothing. We are very proud of our committee member Dr Lynn Simpson, who was quoted as follows in the program: ".. written reports are rarely as confrontational or impactful as images; people struggle to imagine the scene, the suffering, the pain, the frustration, the intentional cruelty ... Images are powerful, undeniable and crucial for true understanding and accountability."
https://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/episodes/meat/105668986?fbclid=IwY2xjawMQq19leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE1RDdrNjdMRnNxM2p2bTVLAR4_r6d3bJcZhYf1ULoZZZ_Rew27N6OYIi4VxArsJ25V7t_dbDscUF_zDJeiOw_aem_S8ly2etBy0Oii6nbkgTHOA

Animal rights reporting faces an uncertain future due to a legal ruling.

16/08/2025

More media bias in reporting about rodeos, this time by SBS News. This promotion of the Mount Isa Rodeo praises the 'family culture' of rodeos, the inclusion of a diverse range of children and young people as upcoming riders and the 'adrenalin rush' for those involved. What is omitted here is crucial - rodeos are based on terrifying and mishandling prey animals, who are at risk of serious injury and even death. They are also a known cause of brain damage in riders who have accidents, particuarly children and young people. How is this still legal?

Junior rodeo riders from New Zealand, the USA and Australia have been competing in this year's Mount Isa Rodeo in far-western Queensland.These young athletes...

16/08/2025

We love this article that describes veterinarians as the unsung heroes of the medical profession. A lovely read. Sentient will continue to advocate for government support for this profession to make veterinary care affordable for those most in need.

The vet’s diagnosis of ‘it could be a stomach bug or lymphoma’ was not exactly reassuring but, admittedly, the patient was wagging his tail

11/08/2025

Sentient applauds the decision by Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff to wind up greyhound racing in the state by June 30, 2029, after citing concerns "about the welfare of participants and greyhounds". We could not agree more and believe this wonderful precedent will have an impact on the future of greyhound racing throughout Australia. This cruel industry must end. We commend everyone involved in the rehoming of rescued greyhounds. It is the industry's responsibility to ensure all dogs are rehomed safely.

As the RSPCA celebrates the Tasmanian government's decision to end greyhound racing by 2029 and prepares to rehome hundreds of dogs, one industry stalwart says he is "devastated" by the move.

02/08/2025

The horrific Mt Isa Mines Rodeo in QLD, the biggest rodeo event in Australia, will be held from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 August. Rodoes are a form of legalised animal cruelty. We are sharing this post by Animal LIberation with details of how you can object to this brutal form of 'entertainment'.

✉️ Email the QLD Minister for Primary Industries, Anthony Perrett MP:
👉 [email protected]
✉️ And contact the Mt Isa City Council:
👉 [email protected]

31/07/2025

We are re-posting this petition as the target is 5,000 signatures before it is presented to Premier Chris Minns and Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty to demand an immediate inquiry into rodeos, their exemption from animal cruelty legislation and their total lack of transparency about injury and death rates to animals. Please sign and share widely, thank you!

MAKE RODEO OPERATORS REPORT THE DEATHS AND INJURIES THEY CAUSE

28/07/2025

If you have been to Tasmania you may have visited the amazing Bonarong Wildlife Sanctuary, which has its own veterinary clinic. The Bonorong team has now launched their Feline Fix cat desexing program, which is available to cat welfare organizations. This important work limits the number of feral and unwanted cats roaming Tasmania’s countryside and will reinforce the importance of responsible cat ownership.

22/07/2025

Update on the RSPCA investigation into the SA piggery at Dublin: Fourteen pigs have been euthanased and the piggery's owners and manager have been issued with 21 Animal Welfare Notices. The RSPCA is preparing a brief with a view to instigate court proceedings.

Fourteen pigs have been put down and 21 Animal Welfare Notices have been issued to a piggery outside Adelaide following leaked footage from inside the facility appearing to show alleged animal abuse.