RSPCA WA will significantly expand its Community Action Day program in 2026, offering more free support to pet owners who are struggling.
The organisation says the program will deliver free pet health checks, dog and cat food, flea and worm treatments, microchipping, and advice for pet owners across Western Australia.
RSPCA WA Program Manager Nicola Kelly said the expanded schedule reflects growing community need and the strong results from previous events.
“Community Action Days are about keeping much-loved pets healthy, comfortable and with the families who care about them,” Ms Kelly said.
“By providing free health checks, microchipping, flea and worm treatments, pet food, education, and even practicalities like leads and beds, we can ease pressure on household budgets and help prevent avoidable suffering.”
The events are designed to support people facing cost of living pressures, housing challenges, or difficulty accessing veterinary care, by addressing small animal welfare issues before they become serious problems.
Ms Kelly said RSPCA WA often sees patterns in the animal welfare problems it deals with, including untreated skin conditions caused by fleas, underweight animals, strays without microchips, and animals surrendered because they have become too difficult to manage.
“We can help assist with all of these issues through the support available at Community Action Days,” she said.
RSPCA WA said events are strategically held in areas of high need, identified by high numbers of animal cruelty complaints.
Confirmed locations for 2026 include Kelmscott, Maddington, Beaconsfield, Heathridge, Mandurah, Albany, Mount Barker AND Karratha, while another 14 events are being planned across the South West, Kimberley, Pilbara, Goldfields, Wheatbelt and Perth metro area.
RSPCA WA said the events rely on volunteers, staff and partners, including South Metropolitan TAFE, Petbarn, Vetwest, Vets Beyond Borders, and local governments across WA.
Pet owner Danielle, who has two King Charles Cavaliers named Peanut and Coconut, said a Community Action Day came at the right time after Coconut hurt herself and she had no money for a vet visit.
“This has been brilliant for me – when I walked up and saw it all I just couldn’t believe it,” Danielle said.
War veteran Allan, who adopted his dog Reggie a few months before attending a Community Action Day, said he wanted to improve his dog ownership skills after not having a dog for more than 20 years.
Retired couple Barb and Graham also attended with their dog Leo after worrying he may have damaged his teeth by chewing rocks in the garden.
A free health check found Leo’s teeth were fine, and the couple received advice from the RSPCA WA behaviour team on how to stop the rock chewing.
RSPCA WA said confirmed dates and locations can be found on the events page on the RSPCA WA website.
