Animal Welfare Policies
The NSPCA is dedicated to ending animal suffering in Ireland. We are here to stop cruelty, protect animals, and ensure they are treated with the compassion and respect they deserve.
We provide services that protect animals from cruelty, harm and suffering. We work to prevent it through education, awareness and support, and we strengthen animal welfare in Ireland by advocating for better protections and stronger enforcement of the law.
An Ireland where animals are free from cruelty and protected from harm, and where compassion for them is at the heart of our national values.
Our mission is to prevent cruelty, protect animals, and strengthen the systems, standards and attitudes that safeguard animal welfare in Ireland.
We believe that animals have the right to live their lives free from avoidable suffering at the hands of humans and that humans have a duty to provide for their welfare.
NSPCA Policy Definitions
- The term “animals” means all sentient non-human creatures.
- The term “suffering” includes stress, fear, pain, discomfort, injury, disease and behavioural and mental distress.
- The term “mutilation” includes any procedure carried out with or without instrument, which involves unnecessary interference with the sensitive tissue or bone structure of an animal.
- The term “cruelty” means having, or showing indifference to, or pleasures in, animal suffering; unnecessarily causing mental or physical pain or suffering through deliberate or neglectful actions.