Appendix C

Australian animal protection organisations – a sample

19th century–pre-WWII

Colonial/state-based RSPCAs  

Type: Charity

Ideological focus: Welfarism/weak rights

Core activity: Welfare services

Lord Smith Animal Hospital

Type: Charity

Ideological focus: Welfarism/weak rights

Core activity: Welfare services

(Now part of the Animal Welfare League federation)

World League for the Protection of Animals (Australia)

Type: Abeyance structure

Ideological focus: Abolition (anti-vivisectionist)

Core activity: Community education

​​Post-WWII

Animal Welfare League New South Wales

Type: Charity

Ideological focus: Welfarism/weak rights

Core activity: Welfare services

Anti-Vivisection Union of South Australia

Type: Abeyance structure

Ideological focus: Abolition

Core activity: Community education

Blue Cross Animals Society of Victoria

Type: Charity

Ideological focus: Welfarism/weak rights

Core activity: Welfare services

Cat Protection Society of New South Wales

Type: Charity

Ideological focus: Welfarism/weak rights

Core activity: Welfare services

Tasmanian Canine Defence League

Type: Charity

Ideological focus: Welfarism/weak rights

Core activity: Welfare services

(Now the Dogs’ Homes of Tasmania)

1970s–1990s (‘Second wave’)

Animal Liberation New South Wales

Type: SMO (first ‘second wave’ organisation)

Ideological focus: Liberationist

Core activity: Protest

(First ‘second wave’ organisation)

Animal Liberation Queensland

Type: SMO

Ideological focus: Liberationist/abolition

Core activity: Direct action, protest

Animal Liberation Victoria

Type: SMO

Ideological focus: Abolition

Core activity: Direct action

Animals Australia

Type: Hybrid

Ideological focus: Mixed rights

Core activity: Lobbying (outsider)

Choose Cruelty Free

Type: Interest group

Ideological focus: Abolition

Core activity: Community/consumer education

Domestic Animal Birth-control Society (DABS)

Type: Charity

Ideological focus: Welfarism/weak rights

Core activity: Welfare services

RSPCA Australia

Type: Interest group (federal structure)

Ideological focus: Welfarism/weak rights

Core activity: Lobbying (insider)

Wildlife Information and Rescue Service

Type: Charity

Ideological focus: Welfarism/weak rights

Core activity: Welfare services, with crossover into conservation movement

21st century

Animal Justice Party

Type: Hybrid, political party

Ideological focus: Liberation/strong rights

Core activity: Electoral

Animal Welfare League Australia

Type: Interest group (‘capstone’ peak organisation)

Ideological focus: Welfarism/weak rights

Core activity: Lobbying (insider)

Edgar’s Mission Farm Sanctuary

Type: Charity

Ideological focus: Abolition

Core activity: Welfare services

PETA Australia (previously PETA Asia-Pacific)

Type: SMO

Ideological focus: Abolition

Core activity: Protest

Sea Shepherd Australia

Type: SMO (local branches of US-based organisation)

Ideological focus: Environmentalism

Core activity: Direct action

Voiceless

Type: Interest group

Ideological focus: Strong rights

Core activity: Legal, capacity building

Vegan Australia

Type: SMO

Ideological focus: Abolition

Core activity: Dietary advocacy