Animal welfare concerns

If you have animal welfare concerns, suspect cruelty to animals or that animals aren't being cared for properly, you should make an animal welfare complaint.

You may suspect that an animal:

  • is at immediate risk of death or injury, like being locked in a hot car
  • is not being cared for properly
  • is being mistreated
  • has been deliberately abandoned
  • is being used in an illegal activity where it will suffer, like a cockfight or dogfight
  • is being deliberately baited or poisoned (other than for officially declared feral or pest animal control)
  • is sick or injured and is not receiving medical treatment
  • is not getting appropriate feed or water and is suffering
  • is not being given an appropriate place to live with regards to its age, breed or size.

For more information or to make an animal welfare complaint visit:

Depending on the severity of the situation you might need to report the matter to local police.

Information you need to give

When you phone, you will need to give:

  • your name, address and a contact phone number
  • the address where the animals are located
  • the details of your concern, like the type and number of animals, the problem with the animals and the condition of the animals
  • the name, address and phone number of the animal's owner, if known
  • any other issues that inspectors need to know, like whether aggressive dogs live at the place or people there are potentially abusive or violent.

Wildlife carers

To become a wildlife carer you must:

If you are interested in volunteering as a wildlife carer, contact your nearest wildlife group. To find a group near you, contact RSPCA Queensland (1300 ANIMAL) or the Queensland Wildlife Rehabilitation Council.

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