Mayor Wayne Brown – of the Auckland regional district 

From: Concerned residents, animal lovers, and whānau of Auckland Region

 

Subject: 

Recognition, Rehabilitation, and Reform for Our Fur Family

Preamble

 

We, the undersigned members of the community, call upon Wayne Brown to urgently review and reform its animal management, pound, and shelter policies.

 

Too many of our fur family — our dogs, cats, and companion animals — are being treated as property, not as living whānau members with emotional bonds, intelligence, and feelings.

 

We believe it’s time for the system to reflect compassion, fairness, and accountability — for both animals and humans.

 

Our Requests for Change

1. Recognise Fur Family as Whānau, Not Property

 

Animals are not disposable objects. 

They are sentient beings who hold emotional value and whakapapa within our homes and hearts.

 

We ask that local bylaws be updated to recognise animals as family members, not property — aligning with modern animal welfare values and the spirit of community wellbeing.

 

2. Prioritise Rehabilitation Before Euthanasia

We ask that rehabilitation, training, and socialisation become the first step before any consideration of euthanasia.

 

Too often, animals’ fear and confusion inside pound environments are mistaken for aggression.

 

Many of our fur family are sweet, gentle souls before being locked in unfamiliar, loud, and frightening environments — conditions that make them appear “dangerous” or “unmanageable.”

This behaviour is a natural stress response, not true aggression, and must be taken into account.

 

We believe no animal should be destroyed without first being given the chance to heal, learn, and trust again.

 

3. Clear and Transparent Communication

Pound and Animal Management staff must communicate in plain, respectful language when engaging with caregivers.

 

When enforcing warrants or sanctions, officials must clearly state:

• What law or section they are acting under,

• What their specific concerns are, and

• What the caregiver can do to resolve the matter.

 

Transparency builds trust and ensures whānau understand their rights and responsibilities.

 

4. Caregiver Accountability and Responsibility

We support stronger accountability for those who abandon, neglect, or harm animals.

 

We propose that:

• All caregivers be registered and microchip their fur whānau.

• Those who abuse or abandon animals be red-flagged as fur family abusers.

• Repeat offenders be banned from owning or caring for animals.

 

This protects animals and ensures the system identifies and stops cycles of harm early.

 

5. Mandatory Training for Caregivers

Education saves lives. 

We call for a basic animal care and behaviour course for all registered dog caregivers — teaching communication, responsibility, and safety.

 

This will prevent many issues before they occur and strengthen the bond between caregiver and companion.

 

6. Shelter Accountability and Collaboration

Shelters and contracted pound facilities must be held to statutory processes and act transparently.

 

They must:

• Operate with full accountability,

• Follow fair procedures for assessment and rehoming, and

• Work with all registered rescues, not just a select few.

 

Every rescue group should have an equal opportunity to help find loving homes for animals in need. Cooperation — not competition — will save lives.

 

7. Partnership and Compassion in Action

We want to work with the Council — not against it — to create humane, fair, and effective solutions.

 

We call for a community working group to review policies and develop new models based on compassion, rehabilitation, and whānau values.

 

Our Message

Our request is simple:

Treat our fur family as whānau, not as disposable property.

 

Prioritise rehabilitation over destruction.

Build trust through transparency and compassion.

 

Hold shelters and caregivers accountable, but with fairness and education, not fear.

 

We, the Undersigned, Call On Mayor Wayne Brown To:

• Recognise animals as family members, not property.

• Make rehabilitation the first step, not euthanasia.

• Require plain-language communication from Pound & Animal Management staff.

• Enforce accountability for neglect and abandonment.

• Introduce caregiver training for responsible ownership.

• Ensure shelters follow due process and work with all registered rescues.

• Establish a collaborative working group to reform animal management policies.

Signed by: all participants of this petition

And monitored by Hinerangi Waipouri and all of my Associates involved 

 

Ngā mihi nui,

Concerned residents of Auckland Region

On behalf of our fur family, our whānau, and future generations