About Us

Animals Need Shade
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Since 2019

Fighting to end animal suffering

Animals Need Shade is a Australian campaign launched recently by Queensland animal advocates.  An online petition was lodged in 2019 calling on the Queensland government to make stronger legal protections and enforceability regarding the provision of adequate shade and shelter for all farm animals. A former RSPCA president, merchant banker turned animal welfare advocate and Australian veterinarian and professor are all supporting Queensland animal advocates in the campaign to mandate shade and shelter for millions of farm animals in all states of Australia and all countries of the world.

The community has been advised to continue to report to the RSPCA, keeping the case number and photos. When the community sees that animals continues to suffer after a report is made Animals Need Shade is advising the community to contact the Animal Defenders Office.  

In the absence of tough laws to protect our animals it is left to the community who is confronted with task of shining a light on the catastrophic failure of key organisations who are failing to provide the most basic of laws to protect our Farm Animals from Suffering.  In response to the absence of protection for animals and in particular, Farm animals a number of organisations have arisen to create a force for change.  Animals Need Shade now has over 200,000 supporters which is growing by the minute. Please read in more detail about what is going on  HERE.

Sheep desperately trying to find any source of shade on a hot day

What Drives Us

Our Mission

Each year thousands of outdoor farm animals suffer terribly from heat pain without access to adequate or NO shade or shelter in paddocks, holding pens, feedlots and saleyards throughout Australia and countries around the world.  

Lets stop this needless suffering!

Our Supporters

Professor Lesley Hughes

I am pleased to provide a supportive email for your campaign to bring animal welfare concerns to broader public and policy-maker awareness with respect to the changing climate., 2020 was the equal hottest year on record and the past seven years were the hottest seven on record. Australia has warmed on average 1.44oC since weather records began in 1910. In 2019 there were three times the number of extremely hot days in Australia than in any year last century. On the 4th January, 2020, Penrith in western Sydney, had the distinction of being the hottest place on Earth, reaching 48.9oC. Heatwaves in Australia are becoming longer, hotter and drier, putting the health of Australians and their animals are ever increasing risk.

It is critical that the changing climate, and particularly the impacts of extreme heat, are considered in animal welfare legislation. Codifying the provision of shade for all domestic animals and livestock is a simple and cost-effective way to mitigate the impacts of increasing heat and should be urgently considered by all governments.

Prof. Lesley Hughes
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Integrity and Development)
Distinguished Professor of Biology
Councillor, Climate Council of Australia

Professor Andrew Knight

Farm animals (like all animals) are sentient, sensitive beings that feel pain, stress and fear. They must be afforded one of the basic requirements for a healthy life – adequate shade and shelter.

Adequate shelter is included in one of the five freedoms, now widely accepted within animal welfare theory.

The provision of adequate shade and shelter must be mandatory in animal welfare legislation, regulations and codes of practice. Minimum standards and recommended best practice provisions should be implemented in codes to assist with reducing heat and cold stress.

Shade and shelter must be easily accessible and allow animals to follow natural behaviours eg. standing freely, lying down without overcrowding.

It’s up to governments to take the lead when drafting and reviewing animal welfare legislation with the understanding that community expectations and attitudes are changing.  Systemic disregard for the conditions in which animals live is in breach of our duty of care, and contrary to good ethical practice.

Animal welfare

Prof Andrew Knight

BVMS BSc PhD DipECAWBM SFHEA MANZCVS DipACAW PFHEA FRCVS

Australian born Andrew Knight is  is professor of Animal Welfare and Ethics and Founding Director, Centre for Animal Welfare, University of Winchester, UK,

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