RSPCA Tasmania is calling for an incoming state government to urgently increase funding for the organisation's inspectors and undertake a thorough review of animal welfare legislation.
Tasmanians go to the polls on Saturday.
RSPCA Inspectors investigate complaints that involve companion animals or pets, as well as small agricultural holdings or 'hobby farm' livestock.
Commercial livestock complaints are passed onto the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and the Environment.
But RSPCA chief executive Jan Davis said she'd like to see a strengthening of all Animal Welfare Inspectorate services in Tasmania.
"Consideration should be given to having a well-funded, single Tasmanian Animal Welfare Inspectorate, ensuring a strong, professional service applying the legislation in a consistent and fair manner across the state," the group said in its election pitch.
In last month's state budget submission, the RSPCA sought an increase in funding for its inspectorate from $550,000 to $720,000 a year, to be indexed annually to keep pace with inflation.
The claim was still on the table and Ms Davis said she hoped an incoming government would address the issue.
The RSPCA would use that money to employ another inspector, ensuring two staff were available in each of the north, north-west and southern regions.
It would also allow inspectors to operate 'two-handed" in high-risk situations.
The RSPCA was also seeking an upgrade to safety equipment and systems for inspectors in the field.
"It's a potentially risk role and I want to make sure inspectors are as well equipped as they can be," Ms Davis said.
"I'm not particularly focused on the distinction between the departmental inspectors and our remit.
"What I am really concerned about is that our remit doesn't go far enough, in the jurisdiction we already have.
"For example, if there is a dog in distress, in a hot car, the inspectors don't have the right to break the windows."
The RSPCA had quite limited legislative power, in terms of areas such as dealing with puppy farms.
"The legislation really is focussed on poor treatment by an individual, not repeated bad behaviour," Ms Davis said.
She said puppy scammers, who had been chased out of mainland states, were now turning up in Tasmania.
"A lot of the websites for puppy scammers have Tasmanian addresses, or scammers are targeting Tasmanian Facebook sites, because they know we can't get out to visit animals and check them out," she said.
"Scammers are quite sophisticated in what they do and we just need to keep up and make sure the rules give us the powers to do what needs to be done."
Welfare legislation
It was also time for a thorough review of Tasmania's Animal Welfare Act.
"Community attitudes to animal welfare change over time," the RSPCA's election pitch said.
"It is important that animal welfare regulations are regularly reviewed to ensure that reflects modern expectations and that the act is operating as intended."
Ms Davis said the act was now "well out of date".
"The legislation under which both groups of inspectors work, and to some extent wildlife rangers as well, is out of date.
"It's not keeping up with the expectations people in the community have at this stage about what is acceptable behaviour."
Victoria and NSW had been through their legislation, while Queensland was calling for comment.
"We are just behind the eight-ball," Ms Davis said.
She said Tasmania had been "fiddling around the edges."
There had been improvements, in some areas, but no thorough and comprehensive review of the legislation for some time.
"What I would really like them to be able to do is be proactive, not just reactive," Ms Davis said.
"At the moment we are struggling to keep up with the calls we are getting."
"It's not about being punitive, it's about being out and about - being seen and working on educating people as to what expectations are."
The focus should be on outcomes, not necessarily punishment.
Ms Davis said governments were charged with providing services required by the community.
"There is a clear expectation by the Tasmanian public that much more needs to be done to protect animals in this state," she said.