Sentient, The Veterinary Institute for Animal Ethics

08/09/2026

It is appalling that the notorious Wagga Wagga greyhound track, which was already earmarked for closure as part of GRNSW’s broader overhaul of the NSW racing network, has been saved from closure by funds to upgrade from the NSW Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Training Association. Two young dogs recently died with 10 days at this facility, one due to a collision and the other being euthanased after breaking both front legs. GRNSW chief executive Steve Griffin may be “very happy for the people of Wagga who were naturally upset when the original announcement was made to close the track.” Those in the broader community are horrified that this unsafe track has not been immediately closed. To spend money improving the track offers no safeguard against further injuries of dogs and will do nothing to address the multiple other animal welfare risks they face in this cruel industry.

The Wagga Wagga greyhound track has been saved from closure - just days after calls for it to be shut…

08/09/2026

Congratulations to all the authors of this much-needed and in depth analysis of the risks posed to horses used by mounted police for public control. This will be a great trigger for further research to determine whether and how horses should ideally be involved in these situations.

Beyond honoured to be involved in this paper. Working with giants! Applied Animal Behaviour Science

31/08/2026

Did you know?

Many painful procedures, including mulesing, castration, tail docking, and dehorning, are still legally performed on farm animals in Queensland, often without pain relief.

These practices continue despite modern alternatives - because the law allows it.

The Queensland Government is reviewing the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1936, and your voice is needed!

Submissions close 7 September. Let’s demand laws that protect animals from unnecessary suffering.

26/08/2026

Sentient recently submitted evidence to the Inquiry into the management of dingoes in national parks and in a nutshell, most dingoes are offered no protection from killing and even their native status has been stripped of them, despite the findings of recent DNA research. So we are thrilled to read of this submission by Humane World for Animals Australia to support the creation of federal protection for a small population of dingoes, the Wilkerr dingoes of Victoria's Big Desert, who are one step closer to the protection they deserve. The population has been prioritised for assessment for federal protection, a step towards protection for all dingoes. Please sign and share this petition and congratulations to Humane World for Animals Australia and other organisations who have been working on this issue.

The Wilkerr dingoes of Victoria's Big Desert are one step closer to the protection they deserve. With only 77 individuals remaining, the population has been prioritised for assessment for federal protection, offering renewed hope for its future.

We are proud to have played a part in helping secure this progress by putting the Wilkerr dingoes forward for listing alongside The Dingo Conservancy, whilst another excellent nomination was submitted by the Australian Dingo Foundation and the Big Desert Dingo Research.

Every step towards greater recognition and protection of Australia's dingoes is a step towards healthier ecosystems, stronger biodiversity and a future where this iconic native species can play its important role.

Together, we can build on this momentum and secure stronger protections for all dingoes. Sign our action and urge your state minister to help safeguard their future: https://takeaction.humaneworld.org/page/184579/action/1

25/08/2026

Please see our previous post regarding a petition to prevent the importation of shark fins.

25/08/2026

Animal advocacy often starts in childhood and we are impressed that a nine year old girl has submitted this e-petition to parliament to call for an end to the importation of shark fins! We agree with her entirely as killing sharks by removing their fins is a form of extreme cruelty and other nations have banned the practice accordingly, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. Please sign and share!

https://www.aph.gov.au/e-petitions/petition/EN10252

23/08/2026

Australia has passed a very sad milestone in the spread of H5N1 bird flu, which has been detected in a long-nose fur seal found dead in South Australia. Mr Jack Gough, CEO of the Invasive Species Council, has expressed concern for wildlife because mammal-to-mammal transmission occurred quickly among seals when bird flu arrived in South America and Antarctica. The Australian Sea Lion is at particular risk as a species, with fewer than 10,000 mature breeding adults. Australia is rolling out vaccinations in certain bird populations but as yet, there is no vaccine for mammals.

A long-nosed fur seal found in South Australia tests positive for bird flu.

21/08/2026

Very disappointing that the Victorian Government has passed the Outdoor Recreation Victoria Bill 2026. The Games Management Authority and the Victorian Fishers Authority will now work together to promote duck hunting and other forms of wildlife killing. Please sign and share this petition by Humane World for Animals Australia to call for non-lethal methods of wildlife management rather than a culture of killing.

Many Victorians were hopeful that a new Premier would mean a fresh start for animal welfare.

But yesterday, the Labor Government, the Liberal-National Coalition, and the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party voted in favour of passing the Outdoor Recreation Victoria Bill 2026. Conversely, The Greens, the Animal Justice Party, and Legalise Cannabis Victoria opposed the bill.

The bill brings the Game Management Authority and the Victorian Fisheries Authority together under a new statutory authority and will be tasked with promoting activities such as recreational duck hunting.

At a time when Victoria still lacks the stronger animal welfare and wildlife protection laws that Labor promised at the last election, the Government has chosen to prioritise passing legislation that supports hunting.

If the Victorian Government can find time for pro-hunting legislation, it can find time for laws that better protect animals and wildlife. Tell the Government you want stronger protections for wildlife by signing our action today: https://takeaction.humaneworld.org/page/186199/action/1

20/08/2026

Disgraceful to learn The Forestry Corporation of NSW has avoided strict environmental protection for threatened species after categorising an operation that involved logging trees as "road maintenance". The operation took place in Glenbog State Forest, which is a stronghold for the critically endangered greater glider, a species that relies on the trees for their dens. For a nation with such unique wildlife and an apalling rate of species extinction, profit is still the priority.

The Forestry Corporation of NSW avoids strict environmental protection for threatened species by calling a logging operation "road maintenance".

17/08/2026

This month there will be two screenings of Sentient in Sydney, on August 19 and 20. Sentient has been described as a groundbreaking documentary which shines a light on the devastating lives of animals used and abused in research. A must-see!

"Can we still justify harming animals and ourselves in the name of science?’ - Dr Lisa Jones Engel

'Sentient' is a groundbreaking documentary which shines a light on the devastating lives of animals used and abused in research. The film exposes the truth about toxicity testing on animals and raises the question of why this continues when there are viable and safe human-relevant technologies available.

Sydney - now it's your chance to see the film! Two upcoming sessions will be held this month:

📍Dendy Newtown: Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at 6:30 pm (followed by a Q&A with director Tony Jones). Tickets can be booked via Dendy Newtown

📍Ritz Cinemas (Randwick): Thursday, August 20, 2026, at 6:30 pm (followed by a Q&A with director Tony Jones). Tickets are available through Ritz Cinemas.

Please invite your friends, purchase a ticket, and support the film.

Purchase your tickets and watch the trailer through the links in our comments.