RSPCA Drought Animal Aid
100% of your donation will be used to purchase feed for Victorian farm animals.

We would like to thank everyone that has supported the Drought Animal Aid appeal, to date we have raised almost $200,000 thanks to the generous support of the Victorian community and our key partners.

More than 130 Victorian farmers have been provided with feed assistance for their animals.

We currently have over 100 farmers with approved applications that we cannot process as we have allocated all the funds raised to date.

If you can help please donate today so we can provide feed assistance to these farmers.

Ways you can help

• Donate online
• Donate In person at any RSPCA shelter, RSPCA Opportunity Shop or NAB Branch across Victoria
• Obtain a Ritchies Community Benefit Card at any Ritchies Supa IGA. 1% of sales supports Drought Animal Aid (CB No. 98608)
• Download an RSPCA Drought Animal Aid Appeal poster to display
• Add a banner to your website. For a specific size send us an email  

What is the RSPCA Drought Animal Aid Appeal?

RSPCA Victoria is undertaking an emergency fundraising appeal to provide immediate relief to those animals affected by the current drought and bushfires. The Victoria Farmers Federation (VFF) is providing administrative and logistical support to this appeal.

The RSPCA is asking members of the public to donate to this emergency appeal which will ease the financial burden on farmers to feed their animals.

The RSPCA aims to raise at least $500,000 from this appeal, which will provide feed for more than 33,000 animals.

RSPCA Victoria continues to provide practical and effective animal welfare services within regional communities.

How bad is the situation for Victorian farm animals?

Victoria has never seen such terrible drought conditions in 100 years. It is dry, hot and barren with farmers having to purchase expensive hay and grain for livestock. Farmers and other individuals are really struggling and many have reduced their herds, but financially the farmers are still finding it difficult to provide feed for their animals.

2006 witnessed serious rainfall deficiencies across all of Victoria. The period between August and November was the driest since 1900, with the worst affected areas receiving just one third of their usual rainfall.

The drought is being felt most intensely in agricultural districts and the outlook for the farming sector has deteriorated significantly in recent months. Farmers have less than adequate amounts of paddock feed for their animals. Inadequate nutrition effects breeding stock and can cause infertility in males and problems during and after pregnancy for females. Other conditions that afflict normal livestock, such as parasites and lice, have a more serious impact on animals in poor body condition. When rain does occur weeds tend to grow in place of pasture. Poisoning can also be a problem as hungry animals will eat plants they would not normally eat (eg bracken fern) and eat other poisons (eg arsenic and lead) in their pursuit of feed.

A particularly severe bushfire season is exacerbating the situation, as fires are destroying crops and rendering the land infertile. More than1.2 million hectares of land have been turned to ash this bushfire season, which is three times the average.


How is the RSPCA going to assist farmers?

Farmers will apply directly to the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) for assistance. Farmers can access application forms by logging onto www.drought.org.au. Applications will be measured against a set of criteria developed by the RSPCA in conjunction with the VFF.

Successful applicants will be presented with a ‘drought voucher’ set at an agreed value that can be redeemed for feed via their existing local supplier and RSPCA will pay the suppliers directly. Putting money into local businesses will also help the local rural communities.

Who will the Drought Animal Aid Appeal help?

The Drought Animal Aid Appeal is designed to assist small-scale farmers who have already implemented drought management plans. These farmers are caring for the welfare of their animals but financially it is a struggle, we hope to ease their burden.

The appeal is not designed to support large commercial farming operations.

$25 - will provide emergency feed for 5 goats for 1 week
$50 - will provide emergency feed for 2 horses for 1 week
$100 - will provide emergency feed for 20 sheep for 1 week
$500 - will provide emergency feed for 30 cattle for 1 week
$1000 - will provide emergency feed for 34 dairy cows for 1 week
$5000 - will provide emergency feed for 50 cattle, 60 sheep, goats, horses and dairy cows for 1 week.

How does the Drought Animal Aid Appeal differ from other drought appeals?

The RSPCA Drought Animal Aid will offer immediate and direct assistance to animals in need. Whilst the RSPCA supports the drought fundraising initiatives of other charity organisations, the RSPCA Drought Animal Aid Appeal differs from other appeals as it will provide emergency feed for Victorian farm animals.

What percentage of funds donated will be utilised for administrative costs and who is supporting this appeal?

100% of the funds raised will be used to purchase feed for Victorian farm animals. The RSPCA is able to direct all the funds raised to the farm animals: thanks to the generous pro-bono support of our corporate partners.

When can I help?

The RSPCA Drought Animal Aid Appeal will be launched at 11am on Tuesday 13th February. The launch site is Federation Square. Members of the public are invited to come along and help the RSPCA kick-off this worthwhile emergency appeal.

We are particularly grateful to M&C Saatchi for providing creative concepts and marketing material for the appeal. We are also thankful to Fenton Communications, RISK, Iloura, NAB, Getty Images, Ritchies Stores, Sensis and Hill’s Pet Nutrition.


Major Contributors - The RSPCA thanks those companies that have assisted to make the Drought Animal Aid Appeal possible - see here for more details.