We know it hasn’t been long since our last newsletter - just over a month, in fact - and we usually like to give you a bit more breathing room between updates. But we’re reaching out a little earlier this time with a special ask. It’ll only take two minutes of your time, but it could make a big difference in how much importance is placed on pets in New Zealand. So, we're keeping this issue short. Please read on and add your voice if you feel as strongly as we do! |
Will you sign our pledge? |
On National Pet Day (11 April) we made a call out for pet lovers across the country to sign our pledge and call for the Government to place greater importance on pets in NZ. Pets bring so much to our lives, yet we believe they are not given the appropriate amount of importance in political decision making.
More than 200 people have signed already and there's still time for you to add your signature. What are we calling for? We want more focus on:
🐾 National frameworks (policies and codes of welfare etc)
🐾 Pets in rentals
🐾 Pets in emergencies
🐾 Microchipping requirements
🐾 Shelter support
🐾 Desexing accessibility
We know there are many competing priorities in society - but our pets matter. They’re not just animals, they’re family, and they rely on us to speak up for their needs. Around 63% of New Zealand households have at least one pet, and of those without, more than 60% say they’d like to have one. These insights, from our latest Pet Data Report featured in our last newsletter, highlight just how central companion animals are to our lives and communities.
Last week, we were so pleased to hear the Government announcement regarding regulations that will address prolonged dog tethering and give animal welfare inspectors more tools to intervene when needed. This is a great step - but we believe even more needs to be done to safeguard welfare. |
You can read more about exactly what we are asking for and sign the pledge via the link below.
In May, we plan to send a letter to Government containing our evidence-based requests and the total number of signatures we obtained.*
Join us in showing the Government that our pets deserve to be on the political agenda. |
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*When you sign the pledge, your name is collected just for internal verification. It won’t be shared publicly or with the government — we’ll only report the total number of signatures. Your information is kept secure and won’t be used for anything else. |
Can cats really adjust to indoor life? |
We teamed up with the University of Adelaide for a world-first study tracking what actually happens when outdoor cats are brought inside full-time. The study involved 16 cat guardians and their cats. Guardians were asked to keep their previously outdoor cats exclusively indoors over a three-week period.
The results? Well, the full results are coming to scientific publications soon – but we’re happy to share some initial insights with you all. Most cats adapted surprisingly well, but it’s safe to say there was more hesitation among guardians in terms of how the explorative study went for them.
Cat adaptation
Almost all of the cats adapted well to indoor living, with most behaviours measured by the cat activity monitors — such as sleep, alertness, scratching, and running — remaining stable after the transition. While some cats showed interest in going outside, such behaviours weren’t captured in the activity data but were noted through owner feedback.
Guardian feedback
- 60% Found implementation ‘somewhat’ difficult
- 40% indicated they were ‘very likely’ to continue indoor-only living
- 53% Indicated they were ‘not likely’ to continue indoor-only living
Check out some quotes from participants below. This research helps us understand how different lifestyles impact pets, so owners can make informed choices. Our indoor cat study explored people’s expectations and concerns about keeping cats indoors, and how both cats and their families adjusted. CANZ does not promote any one lifestyle—indoor, outdoor, or a mix—as best for all cats. You can read more about the study and why we did it here. We look forward to sharing the published findings with you soon! |
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Do you own, ride or work with horses? |
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Companion Animals NZ is exploring how equine microchipping and registration is perceived in New Zealand, and your input is important.
If you're over 18 and based in New Zealand, and you spend time with horses (must own, ride, or work with horses), we’d really appreciate you taking a few minutes to fill out our quick survey. The survey closes 5pm Monday 28 April. Feel free to share with your horse networks! |
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Ways to invest in your horse’s welfare in 2025: Being a good horse guardian
Horses are deeply valued in New Zealand, with around 106,000 companion horses in the country. But what does it mean to be a responsible horse owner?
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Let sleeping pets lie: Why a good sleep matters
Understanding your pet's sleep needs is essential for providing them with the best care possible.
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The weighty issue: how our love for dogs might be hurting them
Research highlights the link between our behaviour, dog weight, and overall dog welfare.
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Your privacy is important to us. We are committed to protecting your personal information and will not share it with third parties without your consent. |
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