Animal Care Australia (ACA) cares about the little things!

Small pets are one of the easiest pets to obtain, and as development swallows up the Australian dream of “The big backyard”, more and more people are finding that keeping rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice and ferrets as companion animals, a much more practical option.

ACA was brought into fruition to give all animal hobbyists a voice against animal liberationists and Animal rights extremist groups, and to call for more common sense legislations and keeping practices to be put into place.

Clubs, societies, associations and members under the wing of ACA are represented and supported to help promote education, ethical breeding practices and responsible ownership. More importantly, ACA strives to establish a model standard of higher welfare for the keeping and care of these small but equally as important animals.

Rachel Sydenham is the current small mammals representative on the ACA committee. With over 25 years’ experience working in the Pet and Animal Industries, working with a wide variety of animal species encompassing small domestic pets, birds, native wildlife and domestic livestock.

Rachel is also a specialist breeder of domestic fancy rats, and business owner of a registered small animal boarding facility for 15 years. She specialises in the care of rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, rats, and mice. Also, acting as a General Small Animal Care and Husbandry Consultant, and Mentor to novice rodent breeders and pet owners. Rachel is also a highly regarded R.A.S. Show Judge for Rats since 2014, as well as many years judging for various Rodent Clubs around Australia, in particular for NSW Fancy Rodent Society Inc. which Rachel is also sitting as a committee member.

We encourage all small animal clubs, societies, associations and keepers to join ACA, so that we can stand in unity with a loud strong voice, to ensure common sense legislation and higher welfare for the animals that we are most passionate about.