| What: | RSPCA animal care workers stop work |
| When: | 12pm Friday 19 September 2025 |
| Where | 9A Majors Rd, O’Halloran Hill, SA 5158, Australia |
| Who: | Striking animal care workers and UWU representative Kelley Edwards available for interview on site at 12pm or by phone |
The workers who rescue, protect and care for animals at RSPCA SA are taking industrial action after years of being overworked, underpaid and ignored.
Over 85% of staff voted no to RSPCA’s shameful deal that attempted to slash inspectors’ pay by nearly 20%, remove on-call allowances worth more than $10,000 a year, and reject basic mental health support.
Despite receiving $22.4 million in state government funding in 2024, RSPCA SA is demanding its frontline workers cop a pay cut and a reduction in conditions.
As the first responders to animal cruelty in South Australia, workers handle more than 4,000 cruelty reports each year – from rescuing abandoned animals to confronting some of the most distressing cases of neglect. The toll on inspectors is real.
Today striking workers will deliver a vote of no confidence in the RSPCA SA Executive team, with over 70% of the workforce covered by the agreement calling out poor leadership and industrial hostility, and raising grave concerns about the Executive Team’s approach to industrial relations, workplace culture, and governance.
“RSPCA SA claims to be the voice for animals who cannot speak, but refuses to listen to the voices of their frontline workers,” said United Workers Union Lead Organiser Kelley Edwards.
“These are highly trained vets, inspectors, vet nurses, shelter officers and animal carers standing up for themselves because RSPCA SA has left them no choice.”
“Love doesn’t pay the bills.”
“Workers aren’t asking for the world – just safe staffing, fair pay and basic mental health support for responding to the most horrific cases of animal cruelty.”
“These workers are the backbone of animal welfare in this state, but management treats them as an afterthought. Respect for animals must start with respect for the people who protect them.”
An anonymous RSPCA worker said, “RSPCA workers carry the emotional weight of caring for vulnerable animals every day. Love for the animals keeps us going, but love doesn’t pay the rent. Workers need fair conditions so we can keep giving our best.
“This work takes a heavy mental toll. We’re looking out for the animals but who is looking out for us?”