RSPCA Australia's Great & Small Talk

Shark nets are often seen as a simple solution for beach safety, but at what cost? In this episode, we’re joined by Andre Borell, founder of Envoy and Rachel Woodrow from RSPCA QLD, to dive deep into the complex issue of shark safety, unpacking how shark nets actually work, their effectiveness, and the impact they have on marine life. Tune in to hear the facts, the debates, and what the future of...

 We know animals are sentient, but do we really understand what that means, and why it’s important to recognise?  In this episode, we are joined by Dr Kris Descovich, Senior Scientific Officer at RSPCA Australia to explore animal sentience and what science tells us about the emotions, consciousness and inner lives of animals.   From curiosity and play to fear and pain, we explore how different spe...

Animal videos are everywhere on social media, but what’s really happening beyond the screen? In this episode, our host Brian Daly is joined by the Nicola O’Brien from the Social Media Animal Cruelty Coalition (SMACC) to unpack the hidden realities of viral animal content. From staged rescues to exploitative trends, we uncover how seemingly “cute” videos can sometimes come at a serious cost.

Are indoor cats safer? And is letting your cat roam freely doing more harm than good? In this episode, our host Brian Daly is joined by Dr Gemma Ma, veterinary policy and project officer at RSPCA NSW, to discuss the risks of roaming, the potential challenges of containment and what cats really need for optimal physical and mental wellbeing. With advice on outdoor enclosures, catios and creating en...

Since 2020, a total of 857 dogs have been killed on the racetrack, it's an alarming statistic.  In this episode of Great and Small Talk, we confront the uncomfortable realities behind Australia’s greyhound racing industry. An industry which, despite repeated inquiries, high injury rates, declining participation, and persistent welfare failures, continues to operate thanks to government suppor...

There's currently a lot of discussion about how to effectively manage cats in Australia, for many reasons including safeguarding our native wildlife, and also to ensure cats are kept safe and responsibly cared for.  A big part of the conversation is how to manage 'stray' or unowned domestic cats. Often misunderstood, stray cats are a relatively small group compared to owned cats or...

RSPCA Inspectors play an extremely important role in enforcing animal welfare legislation across the states and territories. Theirs is a role that can be both heartwarming and heartbreaking, sometimes all in the same day. This week we chat with Andrea Lewis, Head of Animal Welfare, RSPCA SA and Scott Meyers, Chief Inspector, RSPCA NSW to hear their stories from on the field, including their journe...

"Just the mere act of housing animals in a laboratory environment has negative welfare impacts, so whatever happens to these animals as part of a study adds to this stress and suffering." Every day across Australia millions of animals of all species are used for research including mice, rats, fish, reptiles, rabbits, cats, dogs, farmed animals and monkeys.  Many people are unaware of the...

There's no such thing as a bad dog, but all dogs can have good and bad days.  The reasons that dogs may display aggressive or unwanted behaviours are varied and can often be a response to fear, anxiety, or past traumas they have experienced. Understanding dog behaviours and the signs they communicate to us through their body language is an important factor in managing and preventing aggressio...

Domestic violence is a significant issue in Australia, with recent reports stating 1 in 4 women and 1 in 8 men have experienced violence by an intimate partner or family member.  And as nearly 70% of households in Australia have pets as part of their families, animals are often the forgotten victims in domestic violence situations. In fact, many victim-survivors may stay in a harmful relationship...

"Think about it, you've got an animal that grows wool to make winter clothing and we're shoving them into these hot humid environments... it makes no sense." It's the pressing animal welfare issue that has Australians passionately debating, with the vast majority wanting to see live sheep export stopped for good. In 2024 after many inquiries and with mountains of evidence...

Kangaroos are widely recognised as one of Australia's most iconic species, known for their unique physical characteristics and cultural significance. While these animals are beloved by many, managing groups of peri-urban kangaroos who inhabit environments close to established city or rural centres poses a significant challenge. In this week's episode of Great and Small Talk, we chat with...

Pigs are social, intelligent and inquisitive animals who love to forage and explore, and who thrive in an enriched environment. Unfortunately for the majority of the roughly 2.5 million pigs farmed in Australia, their reality is quite different. Many Aussies are aware of sow-stall free products and choose to purchase them as a more welfare-friendly alternative. But beyond the sow-stalls, farmed pi...

Australia is a diverse country with many weather extremes and increasing climate instability. When natural emergencies like floods or fires occur, preparing ahead of time can often make the world of difference for animals. From preparing an emergency go bag for your animals, to practicing evacuation methods, to knowing where you and your furry family members can shelter safely, we cover it all in...

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 i...

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...

We know cat caregivers want to provide the very best life for their feline companions, so they are happy and healthy and live a long time.  And we know that to give cats the best change at this, the RSPCA’s position is that cats should be kept at home.  But why is keeping cats at home important? And what does that look like? How do we provide an environment at home that meets all a cats needs incl...

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 Austr...

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 experience...

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 th...

Join host Brian Daly as he interviews RSPCA Australia’s Senior Scientific Officer Dr Di Evans, to explore the issues associated with rodeos calf roping. In this episode, we delve into the physical and mental impact of young calves who are subjected to this cruel event ...  We'll also gain an insight into what Australians really think of calf roping in their respective state and territory juri...

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...