Strengthen New Zealand's Animal Welfare Laws

New Zealand's Animal Welfare Act 1999 places a legal responsibility on people responsible for animals to provide for their physical, health, and behavioural needs and protect them from unnecessary pain and distress. The Act also recognises animals as sentient beings, meaning they can experience pain and suffering.

Although New Zealand has legislation in place to protect animals, animal cruelty and neglect continue to occur. This raises concerns about whether the current penalties and enforcement are strong enough to effectively deter serious animal cruelty and provide animals with the protection they deserve.

SPCA New Zealand receives thousands of animal welfare complaints each year, demonstrating that animal cruelty and neglect remain a significant issue in New Zealand. Animal welfare organisations have also raised concerns about the effectiveness of enforcement and the resources available to respond to animal welfare offences.

What are we calling for?
We are calling on the New Zealand Government to strengthen the Animal Welfare Act 1999, particularly by:

Increasing penalties for serious animal cruelty and neglect.
Ensuring penalties are strong enough to act as a meaningful deterrent against serious offending.
Improving the enforcement of animal welfare laws so that serious offences are investigated and addressed effectively.
Providing animal welfare enforcement agencies with the resources they need to protect animals and respond to complaints.
Strengthening the law would send a clear message that serious animal cruelty is unacceptable and that those responsible for animals have a responsibility to protect their welfare.

By signing this petition, you are showing your support for stronger animal welfare protections in New Zealand and calling on the Government to take further action.

Animals cannot speak for themselves. We can speak up for them.

Sign the petition and support stronger protection for animals in Aotearoa.