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The RSPCA is calling for mandatory minimum sentences for serious animal cruelty offences.
The Tasmanian branch of the animal welfare charity launched a social media campaign this week to encourage members of the public to lobby Attorney-General Brian Wightman to introduce tougher penalties for people who abuse or mistreat animals.
The call comes after two cases in the Launceston Magistrates Court last week resulted in what the RSPCA has described as unsatisfactory penalties.
In one case, two elderly Perth women were placed on a 12-month good behaviour order but were not convicted for failing to seek appropriate veterinary treatment for four kittens.
The kittens had feline herpes and a range of other conditions and had to be euthanased.
RSPCA state president Paul Swiatkowski said the cases were the latest in a long line of ``slap on the wrist'' sentences that did not reflect community expectations.
``We are frustrated because we are out there looking for justice for these animals, but the message that the court is sending is that animals don't matter,'' Dr Swiatkowski said.
There have been 39 people charged with animal cruelty offences since July 1 last year.
No one has been jailed for an animal cruelty offence in Tasmania since a Deloraine teenager pleaded guilty to torturing possums.
Dr Swiatkowski said the RSPCA did not have the resources to appeal against sentences it considered manifestly inadequate.
Primary Industries Minister Bryan Green said the government did intend to increase the penalties of aggravated cruelty offences to up to five years jail, as well as creating a new offence of intentionally killing an animal.
The changes were among 65 recommendations made in a review of the Animal Welfare Act, all of which have been adopted by the government.
Mandatory minimum penalties were considered in the review but dismissed on the grounds that they were unfair.
Opposition primary industries spokesman Jeremy Rockliff said he believed stronger penalties were warranted.
