Inside the Inspectorate (with Kim Crossman)

Inspectors play a vital role in the work of SPCA throughout New Zealand. They’re appointed by the Minister for Primary Industries under the Animal Welfare Act 1999, which provides them with powers to investigate animal cruelty, abuse, neglect, and abandonment.

To understand a bit more about our Inspectors and the work they do, SPCA Ambassador Kim Crossman joined Inspector Amanda Davis for a ride-along in Auckland. Afterwards, the two sat down to discuss the experience, how the Inspectorate works for New Zealand’s animals, and how Kiwis can help if they encounter animal welfare concerns.

What does SPCA’s Inspectorate do?

SPCA Inspectors respond to concerns for animal welfare and use a variety of techniques to ensure the animals are cared for appropriately. This includes educating animal owners about the best ways to care for their pets, and using their statutory powers to mitigate any concerns around the animal’s health or living conditions – including requiring and monitoring improvements where necessary. In some cases, they will remove animals from their owners and bring them into SPCA care, and where appropriate, bring prosecutions.

Why don’t Inspectors just remove animals from all bad situations immediately?

The powers provided to inspectors under the Animal Welfare Act 1999 also come with obligations to always act within the law. Not every situation they encounter will constitute a breach of the Act that allows them to remove an animal. Inspectors can only remove an animal when certain thresholds are met, and in many instances, this is not the case. Some situations that may appear neglectful do not meet the threshold for lawful removal. In cases like these, removing an animal would be considered theft, and Inspectors are very limited in what actions they can take - being bound by the Animal Welfare Act 1999.

In cases where an animal’s welfare is compromised but not severe enough for immediate removal, Inspectors may work with owners to improve care through education and verbal guidance. It’s important to note that SPCA cannot take possession of every animal, particularly in minor cases. Inspectors often schedule follow-up visits to ensure compliance and that the necessary improvements have been made.

I made an animal welfare report once, and I never heard anything back – why is that?

Inspectors make their best endeavours to call every person who has registered an animal welfare complaint and provide their contact details. Inspectors are bound by the Privacy Act, meaning they’re not able to share the details of ongoing cases with complainants. What they’re working on and what they’re able to share publicly are often very different. Think about police officers working open cases – there’s lots going on behind the scenes that they can’t share with the public, and the same is true for SPCA Inspectors.

If you make a complaint and want to be kept updated on the case, Inspectors will share whatever they’re allowed to – but it’s important to understand that there are legal restrictions at play to protect both the privacy of those involved and the integrity of any potential prosecutions.

If you have made a complaint and have not heard anything back, please call and we will follow up with the relevant inspector.

What kinds of things do I have to know when I’m making a welfare report? What’s helpful?

When you’re making a welfare complaint, these are some helpful pieces of information to include to give Inspectors as much context as possible:

• An accurate address or location, including vehicle details where relevant

• A detailed description of the animal(s), their conditions, and your concerns

• How many animals are involved in your complaint

• The temperaments/behaviour of the animals involved

• Where they’re located on the property you're calling about

• Who the owners or people in charge of the animals are

• Description of the person if the complaint relates to violence or abuse towards the animal(s)

• Any notable health and safety risks that may present a challenge for Inspectors during their visit

Not every case SPCA Inspectors investigate will turn into a prosecution. One of the purposes of the Animal welfare Act is to ensure that owners and persons in charge of animals meet their obligations. In many cases, issues can be resolved with education being provided to owners. This can be a good outcome for both the animal and the person, as welfare improvements are made, meaning the animals in question can live better lives in their current homes and owners are educated in animal welfare, helping to end the cycle of neglect. SPCA inspectors also issue other outcomes for cases where intervention is needed such as Written Warnings that remain on file, infringement notices, statutory instructions to prevent or mitigate suffering, compliance notices and civil enforcement orders issued by the Court that direct people to care for their animals in accordance with the Act.

In cases where offences have occurred and when Inspectors have enough evidence, prosecutions can take place. In these instances, it’s important to understand that sentencing is up to the judge of each case, not SPCA. SPCA is constantly advocating for improvements to New Zealand’s animal welfare laws, which will help bring justice to more animals and provide stricter penalties for abusers, holding them accountable – you can read more about this here.