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Companion cats are loving members of many New Zealand families. Feral cats are independent with no need for human assistance to support them in their daily lives. Somewhere in between are stray cats, which vary in how much they interact with people and rely on them for important things such as food and shelter.

You may have recently rescued a stray cat or dog and are keen to find them a permanent home. However, there are legal considerations under the Animal Welfare Act which must be followed when rehoming certain types of stray animals. There are additional considerations under the Dog Control Act 1996 for a dog you take into your care for 72 hours or more.

At SPCA, we understand that losing a pet can be one of life’s most heartbreaking experiences. Please know that you don't have to carry the pain alone. This guide offers support and practical advice for navigating pet loss grief, including ways to honour your pet's memory and find comfort during this difficult time.

Deaf dogs can live happy, fulfilling lives. With a few adjustments to how you communicate and set up their environment, you can help them thrive. Deaf dogs often rely more on visual and tactile cues, and with patience and positive training methods, you can build a strong and trusting bond.

Have you ever seen an online poll pop up asking a quick question about animal welfare? Maybe something like, "Should fireworks be banned?" or "Was the government right to ban greyhound racing?" It might seem like a useful way to understand where the public stands, but not all polls are created equal.

Take our fun and interactive 20-minute SPCA animal welfare course, developed in collaboration with international RSPCA partners

Learn how to help a timid or shy cat settle in, build trust, and feel safe with tips on creating a calm space, gentle interaction, and routine. Whether you’ve adopted a timid cat from a shelter, taken in a stray, or inherited a pet from a friend or relative, helping them feel safe is the first step to forming a deep, rewarding bond.

Your home is a safe and special space for you, your family, and pets to live in. When a baby arrives, parents will ‘baby-proof’ the house to ensure the place is safe for little ones. But paw-rents should also do a safety sweep of their home as well – as pets can be in danger from household items and chemicals, too!

SPCA advocates that pest management should cause the least harm to the fewest animals and be based on an actual problem rather than negative perceptions of an animal. Other important considerations for pest management are discussed in this article.

When the ban on livestock export by sea finally came into effect in April 2023 after decades of campaigning, people in New Zealand and around the world celebrated this significant milestone for animals. However, the Government and animal export industry representatives have been discussing bringing this cruelty back – this time under so-called ‘gold standard’ conditions. What does this mean, and why won’t it work?