Campaigns

CampaignsRescuing animals is an essential way to end the suffering and solve the immediate problem of homeless animals. However, to make lasting change it is necessary to change legislation and the culture of ‘buying, owning, irresponsibly breeding and then dumping’ animals.

Currently the law does an absolute minimum to protect or represent companion animals. The vast majority of offences committed (cruelty, neglect or abandonment) go unpunished, and when they are the consequences amount to something less than a parking fine. Additionally, animals in the eyes of the law are merely property and therefore at the mercy of our decisions as the ‘owner’. It is legal for someone to have their animal destroyed if they become an inconvenience, it is also legal to keep them chained up or in solitary confinement. 

Legislation is far more powerful when it reflects the culture and sentiments of the society. This determines how we think about animals, how we interact with them, and how we choose to prioritise them. If we value their companionship, accept the responsibilities involved in their care and show empathy, then there would be a dramatic decrease in the number of animals being abandoned or entering pounds.

CatRescue is campaigning for a number of cultural and legislative changes, such as mandatory desexing, an end to backyard breeding and puppy farms, banning the sale of animals from pet shops, and promoting the concept of ‘no-kill’ when rescuing or working with homeless animals. You can read more about these issues in this section of the website.