Latest News

Shocking new documents obtained through Freedom of Information by Animal-Free Science Advocacy (AFSA) have revealed more than 60 disturbing deaths among research primates in Australian breeding facilities, including infants suffering catastrophic injuries, monkeys dying overnight unnoticed, and animals subjected to invasive experiments before their deaths.

The fourth book in the Raw Meaty Bones Tetralogy due for launch on National Pet Day, 11th April.

A new, deeply personal project is being offered to Melbourne pet owners, but only a select few will be part of it.

Petbarn Foundation and animal lovers across the country are celebrating a major milestone, with more than 90,000 rescue pets helped across Australia over the past five years through the Foundation’s programs. The figure is equivalent of around 50 animals every day finding safety, care and a pathway to a loving home.

Cases of Canine Ehrlichiosis have now been seen extensively across northern Australia, from Western Australia, Northern Territory, Northern and Northwestern Queensland and down through northern parts of South Australia.

With the Easter long weekend and school holidays fast approaching, thousands of Australians will be hitting the road, and more are bringing their pets along.

Pet owners across Australia are being warned not to become complacent about paralysis ticks and Canine Ehrlichiosis (a serious tick-borne disease) as the weather cools, with new claims data revealing the dangerous parasites remain active well beyond summer.

New travel data shows one in fi ve Australians planned a pet inclusive trip over summer, up fi ve per cent year-on-year, as more travellers choose road trips and regional stays that accommodate the whole family, including four-legged members.

A new study published in international academic journal Ruminants has evaluated footage of calves used in rodeo calf-roping events, finding all calves exhibited behaviours indicating fear and stress prior to being released into the arena.

Thousands of rescue dogs across Australia will get a fresh start in their new homes thanks to a new partnership between fresh dog food company Lyka and animal welfare charity PetRescue.

As it celebrates its 20 year anniversary, the NSW Wildlife Council (NWC), has released its Impact Report.

Melbourne’s largest not for profit animal hospital has expressed serious concern for the health of pets with one in three pets now observed as overweight.

National Pet Adoption Month runs throughout March, and in 2026 there are more reasons than ever to adopt a cat or dog, with the RSPCA’s official nutritional partner, Royal Canin, donating $100 for every cat or dog adopted from an RSPCA location.

New research from Omoda Jaecoo shows Aussie pets are calling the shots at home.

This year’s highly-anticipated RSPCA Animal Welfare Seminar is being held online from 18–19 February 2026, focussing on the topic of animal welfare in the digital age.

As warm summer temperatures continue across Victoria, farmers are urged to take extra care of their livestock to prevent heat stress, a condition that can severely impact both animal welfare and production.

Geelong Animal Welfare Society (GAWS) is thrilled to announce the launch of the 2026 PAWS for GAWS Charity Dog Walk; a fun, community event in support of vulnerable animals.

Summer days are made for getting outside and enjoying the beach with your furry friend, and what better time than this month for Walk Your Dog Month.

Nominations are open for the 2026 GapOnly® Veterinary Awards (GOVAs), the premier industry event recognising excellence, leadership and innovation across the veterinary profession – with entries closing 18 January 2026.

Pet Insurance Australia warns new pet owners to be prepared for increased risks and unexpected vet bills during the summer months.

Gratitude, compassion and community in a year that changed everything

Zoetis has published new commentary in Frontiers in Veterinary Science discussing data on bedinvetmab (Beransa, also called Librela™ in other markets) for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) pain in dogs. The commentary1 offers a carefully considered perspective on findings from a previous study by Farrell et al2 titled “Musculoskeletal adverse events in dogs receiving bedinvetmab (Librela)”.

In exciting news for cats around Australia, Delectables, America’s #1 wet cat treat has just launched down under. Specifically formulated for cat’s taste preferences, Delectables is now available in Woolworths with two key products, Squeeze Ups and Lickable Cat Treats.

This festive season, Guide Dogs Victoria is calling on everyday Australians to make a pawsitive change and give a gift that Santa can’t deliver - a lifechanging Guide Dog.

Australians are spending more than ever on their beloved pets, with $16 billion* going towards food and $5.5 billion on veterinary services each year. On average, that’s about $3,300 per dog and $2,100 per cat. This surge in ‘human-style’ pet care shows a clear shift in how Australians view their fury friends like family members - placing greater emphasis on premium diets and tailored services to ensure their companions enjoy the highest level of comfort and wellbeing.

The Geelong Animal Welfare Society (GAWS) has launched its 2025 Christmas Appeal, calling on the
community to help give every animal in its care a second chance.

Ever wondered why your dog tilts its head when you speak, or why your cat obsessively kneads your lap? These are just two viral social media behaviours that leave pet owners asking: Is it a harmless quirk or a sign of something more?

Celebrating the goodest Aussie dogs for their love, courage and fur-iendship. $20,000 prize pool for Winners, Nominees and Voters! Plus more Medals and new Judges, including ABC Muster Dogs TV star Frank Fingers

This Christmas, CANA calls on Australians to foster a pet and ease the pressure

Luna and Leo take out the top spots nationwide

As the rising cost of living pushes more Australians into financial hardship and homelessness, one charity is working harder than ever to prevent beloved pets from being surrendered into already overcrowded shelters. Now, they need your help.

Agriculture Victoria is encouraging beekeepers to continue to report varroa mite despite the state transitioning to management of the pest.

Australia may be a nation of animal lovers, but new research from Companion Animal Network Australia’s (Australia CAN or CANA) 2025 Pet Friendly Aged Care Survey shows most aged care facilities still don’t allow residents to keep their pets, even though 96% of Australians believe they should be able to.

After pulling off mission im-paw-sible - surviving more than 500 days on the run on Kangaroo Island - and capturing the hearts of a nation, Australia’s most famous sausage dog, Valerie, is back in the headlines with a fancy new job title.

The 40th on-track racing death of a greyhound this year has highlighted the dangerous design of Victorian racetracks, say animal welfare groups. 

The two-week drive kicks off today, running from 20th to 31st October.

Second Chance Animal Rescue create a wish list for terminally ill rescue dog.

Introducing a pet-friendly workplace could help Australian employers attract and retain key staff.

More than 50% of millennial Aussies have a pet for mental health reasons or as a support animal, a new survey has revealed. Rather than being a man's best friend, pets it seems are these days, millenials' best friends.

The third woman ever to qualify for the Australian Trans-Tasman team and the second
from NSW

WellVet is calling on veterinary practices to open up a conversation about perimenopause and its impact on individuals and the workplace during menopause awareness month this October.

** PRE ORDER NOW ** DUE FOR RELEASE DECEMBER 2025 **

Often ignored and seldom recognised for their outstanding contribution to wildlife rehabilitation work, wildlife carers in NSW now have the opportunity to be recognised for their outstanding contribution to the sector.

On Thursday 2 October 2025, the RSPCA will host Give to Get Them Home, a one-day-only fundraising appeal where donations will be doubled for 24 hours, helping animals across the country take the final steps toward a safe and loving home.

Greencross Pet Wellness Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Garrett Lewis as Chief Executive – Vet Services, following an extensive global recruitment process.

VetChat, Australia’s leading provider of veterinary telehealth services, has released the first comprehensive Veterinary Telehealth in Australia 2025 report, marking a major milestone for the profession and the future of accessible pet care.

Life’s special moments made more accessible, Australians with low vision or blindness can now share in the joy of giving and receiving greeting cards, thanks to a brand new partnership between Hallmark Cards Australia and Guide Dogs Australia.

Australia’s longest and most comprehensive pet survey indicates that Australia's pet ownership rate has continued to rise, with 73% of households across metropolitan, regional and remote Australia now home to one or more pets.

Looking after your pet just got easier. The Petbarn App - Australia’s leading pet app, has been upgraded with brand-new veterinary features — making it Australia’s only all-in-one pet care app.

Easy expert-backed tips to keep your cat’s litter box clean, odour-free and spring-ready

A veterinary roundtable discussion, focused on how pain is managed in dogs with osteoarthritis, has highlighted the need to prioritise patient screening, case selection, and communication of benefits and risk to inform treatment decision-making.

If you’re able, please take a moment to complete and share CANA’s Pets in Business Survey with your networks. The more voices we hear, the more useful the results will be for businesses, employees and of course, our four-legged friends.

The NSW Wildlife Council (NWC) welcomes the creation of the Great Koala National Park, protecting 476,000 hectares of forest – including 176,000 hectares of previously unprotected native forest

AIHA calls for clarity, urging APVMA to recognise hemp as safe ingredient in pet nutrition

This month, Kookaburra Veterinary Employment has released the map-based Kookaburra Jobs app for Android on Google Play, to complement the iPhone version already available on the App Store. This is a first for the veterinary industry anywhere in the world.

For the first time ever Guide Dogs NSW/ACT will bring its community stories to life in print, unveiling a brand-new magazine filled with inspiring stories, expert tips and heart-warming updates, keeping us connected to Australia’s iconic and cutest companions.

CVS Australia has made its largest acquisition with the arrival of Sydney Animal Hospitals, one of the most recognised veterinary businesses in Australia.

Tick paralysis poses a real risk to pets during the warmer months, but there are some postcodes in Australia where pet parents claim most often for tick paralysis, according to PetSure, Australia’s leading pet insurer.

Inspired by the wild beauty of the Australian landscape, today, Outback Tails launches its Waxed Canvas Collection - luxury dog accessories designed to soften and deepen in beauty with every outing. Blending rugged heritage with sophisticated design, each piece is handcrafted from heavy-duty waxed canvas, chosen for its natural resilience and its ability to grow more beautiful with every wear.

La Belle Paw and The Cat Stylist partner for Happy Cat Month to champion proactive feline care, bust grooming myths — like the belief cats don’t need professional grooming — and introduce a safe at-home solution to support skin and coat health.

Why opening your home to an older feline might be the most rewarding decision you make.

However, despite the rise in alternative measures, experts argue a healthy gut microbiome is fundamental to a pet's overall well-being, influencing everything from immunity and energy levels to a shiny coat and happy disposition.

As environmental allergens like pollens, dust mites and mould surge during Spring, dogs and cats with seasonal or environmental allergies often experience discomfort, but some breeds experience skin allergies more than others, according to PetSure, Australia’s leading pet insurer.

Award-winning Australian dog skincare and wellness brand reaches new milestone in natural pet care.

If you haven't already taken CANA's Pets in Aged Care survey (less than 2 minutes!), please do it now before the Aug 31 deadline! Your voice matters! And please also share it far and wide - your mum, neighbour, colleague who posts endless photos of their pets!

This International Dog Day, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT is celebrating its loyal and iconic companion; the humble Donation Dog, with the launch of its statewide ‘picture pawfect’ Seek and Snap competition.

Dorsett Melbourne is celebrating International Dog Day (Tuesday 26 August) with a paw-sitively adorable twist - the launch of its ‘Doggy Doppelgänger’ competition on Instagram.

Petstock Vet highlights how dental disease is often mistaken for ageing in pets

Outback Tails, the Australian pet brand known for its ethical and sustainable dog accessories and care products, is proud to announce it has won five awards at this year’s Clean + Conscious Awards 2025.

Each year, it’s estimated nearly 400,000* animals enter Australian shelters and pounds, including thousands of adoptable pets relying on stretched rescue groups for food, warmth and care. Donations of essential supplies are vital to keeping them comfortable while they hold on to hope for permanent homes.

Nationwide search launches to find the new furry face of the RSPCA Lottery

Saying goodbye to a pet can be one of life’s most devastating moments. Melbourne photographer and former veterinary nurse, Bree Colenso, is transforming that heartbreak into something beautiful, using the art of photography to help pet owners find comfort, closure, and a way to keep their memories alive long after their heart pet is gone. 

Pound Paws Dog Day on Sunday, August 31 at The Sheaf, Double Bay NSW. Chance to win the new Tilly crate & mat from The Paws Room valued at $935

Last weekend in Helsinki, the happiest capital in the world, more than 1,000 dogs gathered for the launch of The Doggy Route to Happiness — the world’s first sightseeing tour created especially for them.


Older cats often get overlooked in shelters, but their calm, affectionate nature and quiet loyalty make them some of the best pets you could ever adopt.

On 8 August 2025, Augustine Approved Pty Ltd (“Augustine Approved”) announced that it is once again being unlawfully harassed by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority ("APVMA") following the issuance of two infringement notices (“Notices”) on 26 June 2025 regarding the sale of two of its certified organic products, SuperHeal and Raw Coconut Oil, incurring penalties of $15,337 and $9,390, respectively.

VET.CT has announced its teleconsulting service, which provides veterinary teams with advice on their cases from multidisciplinary experts, will close from 1st September 2025.

RSPCA proudly celebrates two decades of generous support from Peter Alexander and his brand and is delighted by his decision to host a special one-day-only fundraising day in support of our mission.  

Senior cats are often overlooked in shelters, but they’re some of the most loving, low-maintenance companions, and experts say it’s time to challenge the myths holding them back.

One of Australia’s leading specialist 24/7 emergency veterinary hospital groups has issued a warning for pet owners after emergency admissions data revealed over 700 cases of tick paralysis in dogs and cats have been seen since the start of 2023 – including during the cooler winter months.

Catch the premiere of Pooches at Play Series 10 on Sat, 2 August at 3:30pm on Ch 10. Encore episodes will air Sundays at 4pm on 10Drama

In honour of International Cat Day on 8 August, Feline Guardians will host a series of in-person and virtual events to highlight the ongoing global cat torture crisis.

As the weather warms and many dream of a road adventure with their pet, Pet Insurance Australia (PIA) reminds Australian pet owners of the serious risks of travelling with unrestrained pets and urges them to always secure dogs in the back seat with proper restraints.

A generous donation from the Ironbark Nature Fund will go some way to helping native wildlife and wildlife carers in NSW.

The Victorian emergency response to an outbreak of H7 high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) in poultry has been successful, with eradication officially declared on 13 June 2025.

Learn how to prevent pet escapes with tips from dog behaviourist Lara Shannon.

Ensuring a sustainable and well-supported veterinary workforce is essential for the health of animals, people, and communities across Australia.

A recent UK study has revealed a sharp increase in wrist and hand injuries among dog walkers caused by dogs pulling on their leads. In response, Pet Insurance Australia is warning Australian pet owners about the serious health risks that poor leash training poses — not just to people, but also to dogs.

Nicholas Wu, Lecturer in Wildlife Ecology in Murdoch University's School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences wrote the following article for The Conversation.

“Watching them discover snow for the first time is just pure magic!”

Dr Anne Marks and Christine Minty Walker from the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Western Sydney University are conducting a study to explore the impacts of motor vehicle collisions with kangaroos on veterinarians.

As winter school holidays begin across New South Wales and Australia wide, the NSW Wildlife Council (NWC) is ramping up its Wildlife Friendly Roads campaign.

Expert advice from Dr Claire Jenkins as part of the Cosy Cat Project, presented by Breeder’s Choice. This winter, we’re helping cat owners recognise the subtle signs of skin and coat discomfort and create a more comfortable indoor environment.

With return-to-office mandates, are more workplaces embracing pet-friendly policies? Pets are making a difference in diverse work settings, from physiotherapy clinics and creative agencies to co-working spaces.

Adelaide, South Australia, June 2025 – PetSure, Australia’s leading pet insurer, presented a series of recommendations to the Parliament of South Australia’s Joint Committee for the inquiry on the mental health and wellbeing of the state’s veterinarians.

Expert advice from Dr Claire Jenkins as part of the Cosy Cat Project, presented by Breeder’s Choice. A focus on preventing winter weight gain and promoting healthier, more active indoor cats.

Pet Professional Guild Australia calls for immediate education and humane strategies to support postal worker safety

The H7 avian influenza response in Victoria has come to an end. The outbreak, which began in February, affected four commercial poultry properties.

RSPCA Australia has welcomed the amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) that came into effect this week and will support people and their pets affected by domestic violence.

Australia’s most resilient pup turns three and her journey is far from over!

We’re excited to announce the release of the 2024 Animal Health in Australia (AHiA) Annual Report — your annual summary of key achievements, disease investigations, surveillance activities and updates to policies and programs in Australia’s animal health system.

National animal welfare charity Companion Animal Network Australia (CANA or Australia CAN) has welcomed the passage of the Retirement Villages Amendment Bill 2024 (Vic) through both Houses of the Victorian Parliament as a significant and compassionate win for the rights and wellbeing of older Australians and their companion animals.

An essential oil shows promise for improving the immunity of broiler chickens before they hatch, according to University of Queensland research.

The recycling appeal aims to raise $175,000 for Guide Dogs over six months. Return and Earn has raised more than $72 million for charities across NSW to date through recycling.

The Geelong Animal Welfare Society (GAWS) is helping make responsible pet ownership more
achievable with its ‘Fix a Feline Friend for Free’ program.

CANA celebrates the heart and dedication of animal welfare volunteers this National Volunteer Week 2025

If you would rather hug your pet than talk to your partner after a stressful day then you're not alone. A new global survey of over 30,000 pet owners,(1) commissioned by Mars, the leading pet care business, and Calm, a leading mental health company, found that the majority of pet owners (58%) prefer to spend time with their pet when feeling stressed – more than those who say their partners (32%), family (23%), or even children or friends (both 18%). In fact, 83% of people surveyed believe their pet has positively impacted their mental wellbeing.

The Cat Protection Society of Victoria (CPSV) is calling on businesses to make a lasting impact on the lives of vulnerable cats and kittens through workplace giving. Whether through fundraising events, corporate sponsorship or volunteering, workplaces can help transform lives, one whisker at a time.

Tassie dogs set to go global with Puppy Tales’ Tails of the World Pawtraits supporting Guide Dogs Tasmania

New research commissioned by WHISKAS® reveals that countless Aussies are overlooking the perfect pet - without even realising it. The trusted cat food brand is on a mission to prove that every pet lover has untapped potential, they just might not know it yet. Today, WHISKAS® is launching a bold new initiative to challenge cat scepticism head-on, inviting self-proclaimed ‘cat haters’ to step outside their comfort zones and discover the joys of feline companionship firsthand.

Once, our pets were just animals in our homes. Now, they sleep in our beds, have Instagram accounts, and are pampered with premium nutrition just like us. Welcome to the $4 billion-a-year pet wellness boom , where owners are prioritising gut health, longevity, and functional nutrition as much as they do for themselves.

With nearly 1 in 5 Australian households welcoming a new pet in recent years, the Petstock Foundation is calling on Australians to create a better future for pets this National Pet Adoption Month by considering adoption. Currently, more than 10,000 animals, ranging from cats and dogs to guinea pigs, birds, reptiles, and even larger pets like horses, are in search of loving homes.

WHY BREED BANS FALL SHORT IN REDUCING DOG ATTACKS THE AVA’S COMPREHENSIVE REPORT DANGEROUS DOGS – A SENSIBLE SOLUTION SETS OUT THE FACTS ABOUT DOG ATTACKS IN AUSTRALIA.

Not all heroes wear capes — some wear collars and leashes! $10K prize pool including $1,250 to preferred charities!

Many companies have found great success through the many benefits of giving back to humanity, including the animals that are part of the fabric of communities.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has announced biosecurity detector dog Qubit as the ‘Top Dog’ of 2022.

Over two-thirds of Australian households Are now pet owners.

Your veterinarian needs a good look into your horse’s deep, dark mouth to perform a thorough dental exam. The answer? Proper sedation.

When it comes to figuring out which traits or conditions an animal’s offspring can have, there are several different types of genes to consider. Some genetic features are easier to recognise than others.