Articles tagged with Animal Welfare
$468K Grant Boosts SPCA Dog Desexing to Curb Roaming and Attacks in NZ
3 days ago | 59 viewsInternal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden has granted $468,000 from the Lottery Minister’s Discretionary Fund to the SPCA for a targeted dog desexing program aimed at reducing irresponsible breeding and roaming dogs in Auckland and Northland. This initiative, totaling nearly $1.2 million with the SPCA’s contribution, seeks to improve public safety by preventing dog attacks and controlling the dog population, potentially stopping 7,500 puppies from being born in the first year. The program is part of a broader government effort to address dog-related harm, with progress monitored through quarterly reports and further measures to be announced.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Arnja Dale SPCA Lottery Minister Internal Affairs Minister New Zealand Northland Auckland dog desexing animal welfareNZ Racing Minister Backs Greyhound Rehoming Plans Amid Racing Phase-Out
1 week ago | 114 viewsRacing Minister Winston Peters supports plans to rehome greyhounds as New Zealand transitions away from greyhound racing, emphasizing a careful, multi-stage process involving industry input and select committee feedback. The Ministerial Advisory Committee proposes establishing a transition agency to manage dog care, provide mental health and retraining support for industry workers, and collaborate with animal welfare groups to ensure successful rehoming. This transition follows years of reviews highlighting animal welfare issues and reflects strong public support for ending greyhound racing.
Tags: Winston Peters Racing Minister greyhound racing Ministerial Advisory Committee select committee SPCA New Zealand greyhound rehoming animal welfare transition agencyNew Zealand Government Implements Groundbreaking Animal Welfare Reforms for Pigs by 2035
5 months ago | 681 viewsThe Government of New Zealand is proposing changes to the Animal Welfare Act 1999 to improve welfare outcomes for pigs, including new requirements for farrowing crates and mating stalls, with the regulations set to take effect on December 19, 2035. These changes aim to elevate animal welfare standards in New Zealand, balancing the needs of the farming industry with public expectations, following extensive consultation with stakeholders. The proposed amendments will increase minimum spacing for grower pigs, limit sow confinement in farrowing crates to seven days, and restrict mating stall use to three hours at a time, emphasizing the importance of providing manipulable materials and meeting space requirements for pigs.
Tags: Animal Welfare Act 1999 pigs New Zealand Andrew Hoggard farrowing crates mating stalls space requirements farmers regulations welfare outcomesGovernment Implements Ban on Prolonged Dog Tethering to Safeguard Animal Welfare
6 months ago | 739 viewsThe Government is implementing new regulations to ban prolonged tethering of dogs, citing concerns about the negative impact on dog health and behavior. The rules target owners who do not provide sufficient exercise for their dogs, with exceptions for certain situations like working dogs. The changes, effective from 25 September 2025, aim to improve animal welfare and have received strong public support.
Tags: Government dogs regulations Andrew Hoggard welfare SPCA owners tethering animal welfare inspectors amendmentNew Zealand Cabinet Agrees to Close Greyhound Racing Industry by 2026: Key Details and Transition Plan
7 months ago | 949 viewsCabinet in New Zealand has officially agreed to close the greyhound racing industry, with a bill being drafted to enact this decision by July 31, 2026, following concerns about animal welfare and safety issues outlined in multiple reviews. The Ministerial Advisory Committee has recommended a clear plan for transitioning away from greyhound racing, including re-homing programs and support for industry participants through a Transition Agency funded by the TAB. Racing Minister Winston Peters emphasizes the importance of public input during the process, highlighting the global trend of phasing out greyhound racing due to ongoing welfare and safety concerns.
Tags: Winston Peters Heather Simpson Murray Johnson Lindsay Burton Cabinet greyhound racing New Zealand animal welfare Transition Agency Ministerial Advisory CommitteeNew Zealand's Updated Deer Welfare Code: Balancing Protection and Practicality
7 months ago | 1119 viewsAssociate Minister of Agriculture Andrew Hoggard has announced the release of a revised Code of Welfare for Deer, emphasizing the importance of balancing animal protection with practicality and economic considerations for farmers. The code, the first of the priority pastoral livestock codes to be finalized, aims to uphold New Zealand's strong reputation for animal welfare standards while ensuring that regulations are practical and proportionate. Developed in consultation with the deer industry, the code sets clear welfare standards and guidelines for farmers to follow, promoting high standards of animal handling and care.
Tags: welfare deer agriculture Andrew Hoggard animal welfare NAWAC industry farming standards careNew Zealand Progresses Towards Ending Greyhound Racing with Focus on Animal Welfare
8 months ago | 1318 viewsThe Racing Minister of New Zealand, Winston Peters, emphasizes animal welfare as a priority in planning for the intended end of greyhound racing in the country. An Advisory Committee has presented an interim report outlining the transition process, which includes rehoming plans for the greyhounds currently involved in the sport. The report also addresses concerns about financial support for owners and trainers, with the recommendations set to be reviewed by Cabinet before any decisions are made.
Tags: greyhound racing New Zealand animal welfare Racing Minister Winston Peters Advisory Committee rehoming industry legislation select committee