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The vast majority of dogs entering SPCA care are mixed breeds. Unless we know the parents or have paperwork, we cannot be sure of which breeds may be part of a dog’s makeup. Research has clearly shown that visual assessment of mixed breed dogs is highly inaccurate, even when conducted by experts such as shelter workers, veterinarians and dog control officers.

SPCA advocates for increased protection of wildlife at risk to welfare harms from avian botulism. Avian botulism is a naturally occurring disease cycle, however, human activity is also a contributing factor to the frequency and severity of outbreaks.

​SPCA advocates for people to engage in activities that respect wild bird welfare, including their health, and the health of their environments.

​SPCA advocates for fertility control be adopted by wild horse advisory groups as a tool to reduce the need for mustering, rehoming, euthanasia, or slaughter. SPCA advocates for feral horse management to be conducted with only the most humane methods of control.

​SPCA opposes the killing of wild predators, such as seals or seabirds, to protect fish farms. SPCA is concerned with the use of deterrent and exclusion devices, where the welfare impacts on wild animals are poorly understood.

SPCA opposes the practice of feeding farmed fish with purpose-caught wild forage fish.

During extreme weather scenarios such as flooding, it is vital for households to be prepared in the case of an emergency. Prepare to best care for your animals during these stressful times.

The topic of cat management in New Zealand can be controversial and emotive. When discussing cat management, it is important to distinguish between feline categories, which hugely impact these discussions, and guide SPCA’s approach.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

Crayfish, crabs, rock lobster and kōura are sentient animals, meaning they can feel pain and distress, and they are covered by New Zealand’s Animal Welfare Act 1999. If these animals are captured, handled, transported and killed for human consumption, it is critical that this is done so humanely.