Animal Welfare at Yoga Paws | Yoga With Animals Done Ethically
How we ensure the happiness and safety of the animals in our care - & set the Animal Yoga industry standard.
Animal welfare is the heart of Yoga Paws. Every choice we make, from the partners we collaborate with to the way our sessions are run, is guided by the wellbeing of the beautiful animals we work with! We utilise RSPCA’s Five Freedoms and Five Domains as a starting point, then go beyond to create an environment where every animal can thrive. Read on to discover how we uphold the highest standards of care.
Written by Yoga Paws' co-founders... with love and care!
Trusted By
Trusted By The Best
Ethical Partnerships | Where the Animals Come From
Ethical Breeders
We only work with ethical, verified breeders who meet our strict standards for animal health, welfare, and responsible breeding practices. No backyard breeders. No questionable practices. Ever. Each breeder is evaluated to ensure animals are raised in safe, hygienic, and enriched environments that promote healthy behavioural development and social stability. Only one litter of vaccinated animals is featured per event to maintain optimal welfare, minimise stress responses, and support positive human-animal interaction.
Rescues & Shelters
We proudly partner with reputable rescue organisations across Australia, running not-for-profit events with groups such as the Animal Welfare League of NSW, Best Friends Felines, Love A Greyhound INC, and more, featuring rescue animals from rabbits to Greyhounds. These partnerships provide structured, low-stress environments that encourage gentle social exposure, improve adaptability, and raise awareness of adoption and responsible guardianship. Every cuddle, every class, every giggle contributes to meaningful improvements in animal wellbeing and rehoming outcomes.
The Animal Experience
Our sessions are designed entirely around the animals’ individual needs and natural behaviours. If they want to play, they play. If they choose to rest, we provide soft, supportive bedding (thanks to our Dazy Dog sponsorship!) so they can relax comfortably without disturbance. Each animal sets their own pace - our role is to create a calm, low-stress environment that supports choice, comfort, and wellbeing.
Studios are temperature-controlled, hygienically maintained with vet-grade F10, and equipped with soft mats, species-appropriate toys, and fresh water to promote comfort and enrichment throughout the day.
Between classes, animals enjoy dedicated 60-minute rest periods for recovery, relaxation, and emotional balance. This structured routine helps minimise stress, prevent fatigue, and encourage positive, social interaction.
It’s not about quick photo opportunities - it’s about meaningful enrichment, where human enjoyment naturally follows from an animal-led experience. Every Yoga Paws class supports confidence, calm behaviour, and trust through gentle, positive human-animal interaction that enhances overall welfare.
The result is a balanced day of play, rest, and engagement - where the animals leave relaxed, enriched, and ready for their forever homes.
Oh, and they have an absolute ball. It’s often hard to tell who enjoys it more - the humans or the animals!
Our Standards in Action | RSPCA Alignment
The RSPCA’s Five Freedoms and Five Domains are the gold standard of animal welfare in Australia. At Yoga Paws, we embody each one:
🐾 Hunger & Thirst / Nutrition – Animals arrive well-fed and have constant access to fresh water inside and outside the playpen.
🐾 Comfort / Environment – Studios are spacious, climate-controlled, clutter-free, and equipped with clean mats, toys, and bedding to keep animals comfortable and safe.
🐾 Health – Only animals who are at least seven weeks old, vaccinated, and health-checked take part. Staff supervise every interaction closely to prevent accidents and ensure wellbeing, and we use vet-grade sanitiser (F10) to maintain a clean environment.
🐾 Normal Behaviour / Behaviour – Animals are free to run, play, zoom, cluster together, or rest on their own terms. Natural behaviours are encouraged and never forced.
🐾 Freedom from Fear & Distress / Mental State – Sessions are calm and controlled, with staff stepping in immediately if mishandling or stress occurs, ensuring every animal enjoys positive, enriching experiences.
Beyond The Five Freedoms | Raising Animal Care Standards
The Five Freedoms and Five Domains are just the baseline. At Yoga Paws, we elevate welfare by making it the foundation of every choice and practice.
Each session is guided by at least two experienced team members dedicated to monitoring behaviour, identifying early signs of unease, and facilitating calm, safe engagement. The space is designed with sensory awareness in mind - soft background sound, gentle lighting, and a steady atmosphere that supports relaxation and composure.
Downtime is built into every schedule, with full-hour rest intervals between sessions to allow proper recovery and emotional reset. Every activity is structured to provide balance between stimulation, rest, and gentle enrichment, with adjustments made to suit each animal’s temperament and comfort threshold.
Furthermore, all staff undergo internal welfare and handling training, and have instituted mandatory Red Cross First Aid certification for all employees!
This blend of attentiveness, structure, and compassion creates an experience where animals don’t just cope - they truly flourish. This is what sets Yoga Paws apart.
