Sentient, The Veterinary Institute for Animal Ethics

10/11/2025

An urgent situation has arisen for almost 3000 cattle stranded on livestock carrier Spiridon II after Turkish authorities denied permission to unload due to 'ear tag documentation' issues. Animal welfare groups are calling for urgent unloading. At least 48 animals have died and feed and water supplies are running critically low. Dr Lynn Simpson, former live export veterinarian, has warned that the position is dire for these animals. Please share widely.

Buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/seadogSure not a requirement, but if you would like to give a dollar or 2 to the channel it will be appreciated, th...

10/11/2025

This is the Strathalbyn Rodeo in SA where a horse crashed into the arena fence during a bronc riding event. Such accidents can be fatal to both animals and their riders. This form of animal cruelty remains legal.

07/11/2025

Due to a decrease in demand, Greyhound Racing NSW will be closing 11 of its 26 tracks across the state, with a final decision to be made at their board meeting on November 14. There is no way these tracks can be made completely safe for the dogs. We are hoping the state government does not renew the lease on Wentworth Park.

Many of the racing clubs slated for closure are in regional Australia, including at Broken Hill, where the loss of its club will mean the closest track is nearly six hours away.

04/11/2025

The numbers reveal Australia is losing interest in the Melbourne Cup. We say Nup to the Cup and to all horse racing. Let's hope for no deaths or injuries today .

🏇 Today, tens of thousands of spectators will descend on Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse to watch "the race that stops the nation". Many more are likely to tune in on TV screens at 3pm AEDT from homes, offices and pubs around the country.

The Melbourne Cup has held a special place in Australian culture for well over a century, and it's still the country’s biggest single-day race gambling event.

But as gambling researcher Charles Livingstone takes a look at the numbers, he finds with attendance trending down and betting habits changing, there’s evidence to suggest the nation isn’t stopping like it used to.

👉 Read the full story: https://theconversation.com/is-the-melbourne-cup-losing-its-appeal-heres-what-the-numbers-reveal-268653

03/11/2025

It is very concerning that Coles and Woolworths recently announced they will not honour their commitments to remove cage eggs from their shelves by the end of 2025. The Australian Alliance for Animals and other organisations, including Sentient, are calling on both supermarkets to keep their promise and we urge you to do the same. This backtracking is an insult to both animal welfare and to consumers who have sought more ethical choices.

Coles and Woolworths recently announced they will not honour their commitments to remove cage eggs from their shelves by the end of 2025.

This backflip is deeply disappointing – and out of step with Australian values or consumer expectations.

We expect better, and hens deserve better.

That’s why we’ve joined leading animal protection organisations in calling on both supermarkets to keep their promise.

While corporate commitments helped reduce suffering, we need our outdated laws to change. It’s time for every state to ban battery cages once and for all.

Will you write to your state leader today? https://www.allianceforanimals.org.au/action-battery-cages

03/11/2025

We love this article by Daniel Miles, award winning Victorian journalist whose article addresses the lack of consistency by the racing industry in reporting horse deaths. Please share before Melbourne Cup day.

For years, the racing industry has been quietly removing falls and deaths from its replays. Now, industry insiders are speaking out.

29/10/2025

Sentient supports calls for the NSW Government Shark Meshing program to be urgently reviewed after a young whale was found dead after being entangled in a shark net at Coledale Beach, north of Wollongong. This is so preventable.

The discovery of a dead whale entangled in a shark net off Coledale Beach ignites fresh debate on New South Wales's controversial shark net program.

22/10/2025

Sentient opposes the aerial shooting of wild horses on animal welfare grounds and we are devastated to hear this bloodbath will intensify. Please sign and share this petition by AJP to oppose a Bill to repeal the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act, which passed the Lower House and will be debated in the Upper House. The repeal removes all protections for wild horses. Furthermore, in the last week there was news of five domestic horses who were accidentally shot. We thank A J P and MP Emma Hurst for their tirelessl advocacy.

Sign the petition here: https://www.emmahurstmp.com/petition_stop_the_slaughter_of_brumbies

Brumbies are likely to be brutally killed if a Bill passes this week. Here's what's happening:

A Bill to repeal the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act passed the Lower House - now the Bill will be debated in the Upper House brought on by the Legalise Cannabis Party. The repeal removes all protections for wild horses.

Prior to this, the Government started aerial shooting during foaling season. The shooting spree was a bloodbath - horses spontaneously aborted, and animals were found with multiple bullet wounds all over their bodies.

The concern is that the aerial shooting will start up again once this Bill passes and every remaining survivor will be killed. We will be doing everything we can at the AJP to ensure this Bill does not pass. Thank you to everyone who has been contacting us - the fight to stop this starts today in our House.

Sign the petition here: https://www.emmahurstmp.com/petition_stop_the_slaughter_of_brumbies
Together we must stop this cruelty.

20/10/2025

Cat management is a highly political issue and we are concerned about some of the extreme approaches being proposed by many states in Australia. Sentient applauds the Centre for Veterinary Education's topic for this year's symposium: The Management of Unowned Cats, with a panel of experts including our Committee Member Associate Professor Dr Andrea Harvey. Enrol now for this free online event at 7pm AEDT Wed 26 November.

15th Robert Dixon Animal Welfare Symposium: Management of Unowned Cats 🐈

🗓️ Date: Wednesday, 26 November 2025
⏰ Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM (AEDT)
💻 Location: Online
✨ FREE EVENT

The Sydney School of Veterinary Science is pleased to invite you to the 15th Robert Dixon Animal Welfare Symposium, presented in collaboration with the Centre for Veterinary Education and graciously funded by the Jessie Mary Briggs Bequest.

This year’s theme, “Management of Unowned Cats,” explores one of the most debated animal welfare topics worldwide. Unowned cat management raises complex ethical, ecological, and social issues—touching on animal welfare advocacy, rescue and rehoming, conservation, and public policy.

Join our panel of international experts as they discuss practical, welfare-friendly approaches to managing unowned cats and share insights that could shape policies globally.

If you’re passionate about animal welfare, conservation, or cat management, this is an event not to be missed.

Enrol: https://cve.edu.au/Web/Continuing_Education/Registration/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=CFRDWS1125