Sentient, The Veterinary Institute for Animal Ethics

18/10/2026

Monday October19 is the Melbourne launch of the National Roadmap for Change to Prevent and End Family Violence against People and Animals, so register now if you are able to attend. This has been organised by the wonderful Lucy's Project and speakers include MP Georgie Purcell, Dr Belinda Oppenheimer from the Australian Veterinary Association (who is also one of Sentient's committee members!), Jess Wilson from Safe and Equal, and Alex Joseph and Monique Dam, Advocacy and Engagement Officer and CEO of Lucy's Project.

Indie, a beloved Staffy cross, was killed in the garden of her home by a man who her family member Louise* dated for less than a year.

You can learn about their stories here: https://www.theage.com.au/national/louise-ended-her-relationship-with-a-man-after-less-than-a-year-his-revenge-was-horrific-20261010-p613lg.html

There is so much more that governments and services across sectors can do to improve the safety of animals and people experiencing domestic and family violence.

This is why Lucy’s Project has developed a National Roadmap for Change to Prevent and End Family Violence against People and Animals: https://lucysproject.com/nationalroadmap

We invite you to join us for the Melbourne launch of the National Roadmap to be held on Monday 19 October, 2pm - 3pm AEDT at the University of Melbourne.

Speakers will include:
• Georgie Purcell, Member of the Legislative Council
• Belinda Oppenheimer, Australian Veterinary Association
• Monique Dam, CEO of Lucy's Project

You can register for the event here: https://events.humanitix.com/melbourne-launch-of-the-national-roadmap-for-change-to-prevent-and-end-family-violence-against-people-and-animals

Please feel free to share this invitation with any colleagues or friends who you think may interested.

We hope you can join us. Together we can create a safe future for all animals and people across Victoria and Australia.

18/10/2026

Following our last post about Mountain Farm Eggs at the Central Coast in NSW, this is the very distressing footage provided by Animal Liberation that exposes the cruel reality behind the egg labels. It depicts birds who are dead or dying in cramped conditions with no sign of human intervention into their suffering. For animals to live this way, our regulatory system has failed, and how could it not when faced with the extent of factory farming in Australia and a regulator whose first priority is profit?

17/10/2026

The third and final round of consultation on Renewing the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy closes on November 13. Very short notice but Sentient will be submitting commentary and we urge everyone who cares about animals to have your say. We believe animal welfare should be overseen by a truly independent body, but while it is with the DPI, the numerous 'exemptions' to cruelty provisions must be challenged, as must the legality of cruel practices in farming, the use of animals in sport and entertainment, research and teaching and the treatment of animals in the wild.

📢 We want to hear from you!

The draft renewed Australian Animal Welfare Strategy is now open for its final round of public consultation.

Share your feedback to help shape a modern, sustainable, evidence-based approach to animal welfare in Australia. The final strategy is expected to be completed in 2027.

The survey closes at 5pm (AEDT) on Friday 13 November 2026. 👇

17/10/2026

Animal Liberation has released horrifying footage of dead and dying chickens at Mountain Pride Farms on the NSW Central Coast, where chickens are being euthanased as the business is investigated over claims of animal cruelty. The DPI's concern is about food safety and biosecurity risks, but Greens MLC Abigail Boyd said animal welfare concerns were first raised in September 2025 but were not acted on by any authority. It is disgraceful that producers such as Mountain Pride Farms can advertise their product as 'free range and welfare friendly' when birds are subjected to lives of pain and suffering. Our animal welfare legislation has completely failed these birds and needs a complete overhaul.

Chickens at an egg farm on the NSW Central Coast are being euthanased as the business is investigated over claims of animal cruelty.

10/10/2026

Defend the Wild are wonderful advocates for our unique and precious dingoes, who play a crucial role in Australia's ecology. Sentient included this point in our recent submission to the NSW Inquiry into the management of dingoes in national parks and we hope for an outcome that protects all dingoes.

10/10/2026

We applaud the West Australian government for investing in drone technology as an alternative to draconian shark mitigation strategies such as shark nets. Sentient believes that if humans use animal environments for recreation, the onus is on us to protect human safety by developing humane methods that do no harm.

Shark culling isn't the future. Drones are.

Western Australia has announced new funding to expand drone patrols and trial new drone technology as part of its shark mitigation program. The $5 million boost includes funding for additional drone patrols and enhanced shark surveillance.

It's a positive sign that governments are investing in new, effective technologies that actually keep beachgoers safe, rather than archaic attitudes and practices that kill marine wildlife while providing no benefit to public safety.

08/10/2026

This is what calf roping looks like - sheer terror for a young animal so a minority of the population can be 'entertained'. This footage was taken at the Woodford Roeo in QLD on 26/9/26. Credits to AnimalKind volunteers.

04/10/2026

World Animal Day is a timely reminder of the intrinsic value of all animals and our responsibility to care for them, especially by protecting them from exploitation.
Image from Shutterstock.

30/09/2026

As the NSW Parliament addresses the 'management' of dingoes in national parks, this article on the training of Maremma guardian dogs offers a sound strategy for farmers to protect their livestock, but they need the correct information and support. University of Tasmania guardian dog researcher Linda van Bommel says the presence of Maremmas can significantly reduce livestock deaths, with 66% of farmers reporting that predation stopped after their dogs started working.

Pest animals cost Australia's farmers about $1 billion a year, but Maremma guardian dogs could play a vital role in protecting vulnerable livestock.

28/09/2026

Exposure 4 in Animal Liberation's Pigs without Borders campaign highlights the complexity of supermarket labelling and the importance of what is omitted, such as the use of painful CO2 gassing to kill pigs. Furthermore, terms such as “sow-stall free”, “gestation stall free”, “free range” and “bred free range” describe particular attributes or stages and should not be read as a complete account of a pig’s housing, handling, transport or slaughter.

🐷🐷🐷Our 𝐏𝐢𝐠𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 Exposure #4 concentrates on another enabler, Australia’s leading supermarket chains - Woolworths, Coles and Aldi.

With our PWB Exposure #4, we have three simple asks - read about our campaign, take our easy direct action, and share with your family and friends asking them to do the same. You can learn more and take direct action here to help create change for Australian pigs, the environment and people here: 👉https://www.al.org.au/pigs-without-borders/exposure-4

Australian consumers have a right to know so ethical and informed choices can be made. It’s time to demand truth and transparency with food labelling laws and the claims and commitments made by Australian supermarkets.