About Us

Who is Animals Australia Inc.?

Animals Australia is Australia's foremost national animal protection organisation, representing some 40 member societies and thousands of individual supporters. Animals Australia has an unprecedented track record in investigating and exposing animal cruelty and for conducting world-first strategic public awareness campaigns.

Animals Australia's investigations investigations have been featured on every current affairs program in the country including Four Corners, 60 Minutes, Today Tonight, A Current Affair, The Project, Lateline and Landline. Investigations throughout the Middle East and South East Asia exposing cruelty in the live export trade resulted in the first ever suspension of live animal exports – to Egypt in 2006 then Indonesia in 2011 - and sweeping reforms to the operation of the entire industry. The organisation's investigation into the factory farming of pigs in Australia which aired on 60 Minutes was a catalyst to the pig industry agreeing to restrict the use of pregnant sow stalls by 2017.

Lyn White is Animals Australia's Campaign Director and Chief Investigator. Her work as an animal advocate has been acknowledged through being named a state finalist for Australian of the Year in 2011; in the same year being declared ABC Newsradio's 'Newsmaker of the year' and Crikey.com's 'Person of the Year'; and being determined one of Victoria's most influential people.

Animals Australia believes that we can create a better world for all through promoting kindness to animals. Our goal is to significantly and permanently improve the welfare of all animals in Australia.

The formal stuff!

Animals Australia Inc is a not-for-profit organisation incorporated under the Victorian Associations Incorporation Act 1981 [Registered No. A0020071Z]. The organisation is overseen by a 15 member 'Executive' elected at an annual meeting from delegates from member societies and also representing individual members. The organisation's Rules provide for the Executive Sub-Committee (consisting of the elected Office Bearers) to oversee activities between meetings. The Executive Director is delegated responsibility for the daily operations of Animals Australia. Our headquarters are in North Melbourne.

We are a non-profit charitable organisation funded through community support. Our important work on behalf of animals is reliant on the generosity of our members and donors.

The historical stuff!

Animals Australia was formed in 1980. We were originally called the Australian Federation of Animal Societies (AFAS). Co-Founders Professor Peter Singer and Mrs Christine Townend recognised the need to unite the many animal protection groups in Australia to provide a united and strong voice on behalf of animals. A primary activity of the first decade of 'AFAS' was lobbying for and then actively contributing to the Senate Select Committee on Animal Welfare (its 11 reports are still key documents ). In 1986 the federation introduced 'individual membership' in addition to the society membership structure, and also accepted New Zealand member groups; changing our name to Australian and New Zealand Federation of Animal Societies (ANZFAS). In the late 1990s we reverted to Australian groups only, and the name 'Animals Australia' was adopted. The organisation now uniquely undertakes two interwoven roles -- as a peak body representing a large number of grass roots groups, and a campaign-focussed organisation working to raise community awareness of animal suffering and promote reform.