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RSPCA Australia animals charter
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RSPCA Australia believes that animals must be treated humanely.
Where humans make use of animals or interfere with their
habitat, they should bestow a level of care befitting human
dignity as rational, intelligent, compassionate beings, and a
level of care merited by the nature of the animal as a sentient
creature capable of responding to human care and attention. Such
care should be marked by sympathy, consideration, compassion and
tenderness towards animals.
RSPCA Australia believes that national and international
adoption of set minimum standards of treatment and husbandry,
and the observance of the following points, will enable all
species of animals to live according to their behavioural needs
as provided by a compassionate and responsible community:
| 1 |
Animals have an intrinsic
value of their own and, accordingly, must be considered
to possess the right to live in a way which enables them
to have a positive life and to develop and enjoy their
inherent qualities. |
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| 2 |
No animal should be used
for the production of food or fibre, either by farming
practice, transportation, or method of slaughter which
in any way may cause suffering, injury or distress. |
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| 3 |
No animal should be used
for sport or the entertainment of humans when such use
may increase the risk of injury, suffering or distress
to the animals, or is contrary to its nature. |
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| 4 |
Animals should not be used
in direct combat, either one against the other or in
warfare. |
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| 5 |
Animals should not be used
in experiments which inflict pain or suffering upon them
and which are not essential for the benefit of humans or
animals. The use of animals should be replaced by
reliable alternative techniques immediately they become
available. |
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| 6 |
No animal should be used
in excessive breeding programs or programs which produce
deformed or weak offspring. |
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| 7 |
Domestic animals must be
effectively protected from adverse weather conditions,
predators and disease. |
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| 8 |
Domestic animals must be
kept in such a way which will enable them to socialise,
move freely, stretch, lie down, and have access to clean
water, a suitable balanced food supply, and to
prophylactic and corrective medicines. |
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| 9 |
Native animals and birds
should be maintained safely in their natural environment
and should be free from hunting, trapping and captivity.
Culling may occur, but only when proven necessary for
the preservation and benefit of the species. Culling
must only be carried out under proper supervision and
control. |
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| 10 |
Any animal suffering from
disease, injury, or debilitation, must be given first
aid or appropriate veterinary attention quickly. If the
affliction cannot be cured, or if it involves permanent
and serious disability, the animal must be humanely
destroyed. |
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| 11 |
The State shall enact and
enforce laws, regulations and codes for protecting
animals from exploitation, and for ensuring that their
basic individual needs are maintained at all times and
that their environment is kept free from illegal or
irresponsible intrusion. |
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| 12 |
The State shall also
develop and implement suitable educational programs or
ensure that human responsibility and their duty of care
towards animals is taught in all schools and in the
wider community. |
Humans have an obligation to protect the interests of animals
at all times. They should be encouraged to willingly accept this
obligation. But, if they do not do so, then the force of the law
should be used to ensure that all animals are treated humanely.
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