The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) Australia dates back to 1871. Since then, it has long been associated with animal welfare, rescues, and adoptions.
Its origins can be traced back to a public meeting held in Victoria to discuss the ill-treatment of horses.
“Its first President is prominent Australian, and former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Sir William Foster Stawell,” the RSPCA’s dedicated 150 years commemoration web page states.
However, the RSPCA is a global body that was first established in London, England back in 1824.
Now, after one and a half centuries in Australia, the RSPCA’s efforts are being commemorated in five postage stamps. Australia Post said they represent the RSPCA’s core missions: advocacy, certification, protection, research, and shelter.
It follows a series of events held in July on the 150th anniversary of its first meeting in Melbourne.
‘Wonderful’ recognition
“The RSPCA’s long history of advocating for animal welfare issues is something all Australians are proud of,” said Michael Zsolt, group philatelic manager at Australia Post.
“The stamp designs really show the breadth of the RSPCA’s work across companion animals, farm animals, animals in sport, recreation and industry, and wildlife.”
RSPCA CEO, Richard Mussell, described the stamps as a “fitting addition” to the organisation’s own commemorations.
“It’s wonderful to see the RSPCA’s work over many years acknowledged in this way by Australia Post,” he said.
“These stamps are a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our great breadth of work and what has been achieved in what is an important milestone year for us.”
What do the RSPCA stamps look like?
The collectable series spans five individual stamps. Each depicts photos of native wildlife, farm and companion animals: a possum, cat, dog, piglet, and horse.
Each incorporates one of the five letters of the organisation’s famous acronym – R, S, P, C and A. They come in usable stamp sets or collectable files, including stamp packs, minisheets and maxi card sets.
The limited edition commemorative stamps can be purchased from Australia Post’s website or in-store.
Images courtesy of Australia Post.
