By BILAL AHMED SYED

The RSPCA is discriminating against international students by refusing to allow them to adopt pets, a Monash student says.

Monash international student Yangzi Zhang said the RSPCA asked to see her visa when she tried to adopt a cat, and then refused her.

She said she was told that there were criteria for adoption and she did not fit. 

“They didn’t actually give the official refusal to say that ‘because you are not citizen and you cannot adopt a cat from us’ but that’s actually the reason,” she said.

She said many of her friends who were international students had also been refused permission to adopt.

On its website, the RSPCA says: "Animals will only be offered for adoption to owners whom the RSPCA believes can provide for the needs of the animal during their lifetime.”

Ms Zhang acknowledged it was important for international students planning to adopt or purchase a cat to take into account the long-term responsibilities of raising an animal.

"There could be a part [of the decision] that is related to sometimes the students leave the country," she said.

"But actually ... if you help the animal to find a loveable home again, that could be ok. Of course you won’t just let them go,” she said.

Ms Zhang said her aunt, who had lived in Australia for 10 years, had also been refused. 

"My uncle is Australian but my aunty is not Australian. They have been married for a long time. Her children, my cousins, were born in Australia and of course they have citizenship," she said.

"But she looks too young, so she wanted to adopt a cat and went to the RSPCA and they refused. 

"The reason is quite obvious. Of course she will stay here, it’s just that she doesn’t have a citizenship yet."

Ms Zhang instead bought an Abyssinian cat, Magnus, from a breeder in NSW at a cost of $700. It would have been much cheaper if she was allowed to get a cat at the RSPCA, she said.

The RSPCA declined a request for comment.