Sentient, The Veterinary Institute for Animal Ethics

06/10/2025

Sentient honours Dr Jane Goodall, the unique primatologist and conservationist who worked tirelessly until age 91 to advocate for the interests of animals. She opened the eyes of the world to the sentience and intelligence of primates and the urgency of preserving natural environments. It is our duty to continue her work in whatever small way we can.

Jane Goodall, the most prolific primatologist of a generation, has died. She was 91 years old.

24/09/2025

Yet another ABC publication glorifying the rodeo industry, this time focusing on the increasing number of female participants and highlighting their sense of achievement and the 'adrenalin rush' they experience. Do the authors of these articles EVER consider the experience of the animals? Just look at the photos. Rodeos are based on terrifying and mishandling animals for entertainment and should be banned under animal welfare legislation.

Sidelined in the sport's history by the words "women don't do that", female bronc riders are proving they not only do it but do it thrillingly well — and the sport is taking notice.

24/09/2025

The Goulburn Rodeo is coming up, despite the cruelty of this completely legal form of animal exploitation. We applaud Animal Liberation, Animal Liberation ACT and the Animal Defenders Office for hosting a rally this Saturday 27 September between 12 to 12 pm to oppose this event. Furthermore, if you live in the Goulburn area you can raise your objections to the rodeo to the Goulburn Mulwaree Council General Manager, elected Councillors, and the local State MP, Wendy Tuckerman, urging them to take a stand against rodeo cruelty by clicking here: https://www.al.org.au/oppose-goulburn-rodeo

📢 Join Animal Liberation, Animal Liberation ACT and the Animal Defenders Office this Saturday 27 September between 12 to 12 pm to rally against the Goulburn Rodeo. RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/share/15EcdKX47YW/

If you live in the Goulburn community, please take a few minutes to send a personal email to the Goulburn Mulwaree Council General Manager, elected Councillors, and the local State MP, Wendy Tuckerman, urging them to take a stand against rodeo cruelty by clicking here: https://www.al.org.au/oppose-goulburn-rodeo

Together, we can end ‘exempted, government-sanctioned rodeo cruelty. Abusing animals for human entertainment or spectator sports is unacceptable. 🚫

23/09/2025

Sentient commends MP Emma Hurst of the Animal Justice Party NSW for passing the Crimes Amendment (Animal Sexual Abuse) Bill 2025 in the Upper House. This Bill changes the outdated term 'be******ty' to 'animal sexual abuse' to ensure all foms of abuse are recognised and prosecuted. We look forward to this Bill being passed in the Lower House. Please support this Bill by signing the petition in the comments section below in the original post.

The Animal Justice Party (AJP) is a political party that was formed in response to the growing number of voters who feel strongly that much more needs to be done through the Australian parliamentary system to assist the wellbeing of animals.

19/09/2025

The Australian wool industry reneged on its promise to phase out the barbaric practice of mulesing (now referred to as live lamb cutting) 21 years ago! This is what happens when governments allow industry self-regulation. Sentient is honoured to be a signatory to this open letter from leading animal welfare organisations to the government to lobby for a legislative phase-out of mulesing by 2030 (reflected in a review of the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Sheep) and to support producers to develop genetic solutions to breed sheep with smooth skin that creates resistance to flystrike.

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