Positions - Companion Animals

SPCA advocates that aggressive behaviour in dogs must not be encouraged as this poses a significant, avoidable, and indiscriminate risk to people and other animals. SPCA opposes the use of dogs specifically for the purposes of guarding commercial or private properties.

SPCA is concerned about animal hoarding and recognises that it is a complex issue which encompasses mental health, animal welfare, and public safety concerns.

SPCA advocates that all persons involved in the breeding, keeping, or use of horses, ponies and other domesticated equines must have the facilities, skills, knowledge, and resources to provide them with a Good Life where they experience positive welfare and meet their physical, health and behavioural needs throughout their life.

SPCA advocates that owners of a companion animal ensure that the animal is appropriately identifiable.

SPCA supports the use of appropriate and correctly fitted muzzles as a safety device, as needed. SPCA opposes prolonged muzzling of dogs as routine behaviour management or compulsory muzzling for specific breeds.

SPCA advocates that non-traditional species are not suitable to be kept as companion animals because it is difficult to provide them with a Good Life where they experience positive welfare and their physical, health and behavioural needs are met.

SPCA supports the principle of controlled entry of animals into New Zealand to protect the country from potential biosecurity risks. SPCA advocates that animals in quarantine must be provided with a Good Life where they experience positive welfare and their physical, health and behavioural needs are met.

SPCA advocates that people involved in the showing and breeding of animals must prioritise health, welfare, and behavioural traits, when choosing which animals to breed, permit for entry to shows and select as winners.

SPCA supports the use of managed and targeted Trap-Neuter-Return methods to control populations of stray cats, providing it is carried out according to best practice guidelines.

SPCA advocates for the implementation of humane and sustainable management strategies, including effective non-lethal cat management, such as managed targeted trap-neuter-return programmes with the overall goal of no stray cats in New Zealand.