Campaigns
The Royal NZ SPCA and its sub-branches have initiated numerous campaigns in relation to animal welfare, usually in relation to education about humane treatment and to encourage changes in behaviour, however past campaigns have also been politically motivated with the aim of pushing through law changes or questioning the legality of certain practices.
The charity group has, in the past, helped to lead campaigns against tail docking of dogs together with the New Zealand Veterinary Association and in opposition with the New Zealand Kennel Club. The SPCA claimed that tail docking is an outdated and cosmetic practice which offers no benefits but causes unnecessary pain to the animal. The Kennel Club purported that there was no scientific evidence to support any of the SPCA's claims and that tail docking should be up to owners' preference. No decision was ever passed into law.
The group has also been involved in campaigns against treatment of livestock, including Battery hens and pigs kept in pens known as "Sow stalls", a crate which a pregnant sow is kept in for up to 16 weeks unable to move or turn around.
Individual branches of the group have also been involved in unofficial campaigns, not directly recognised by the national body. A successful campaign by the Auckland arm of the organisation seen an end to rodeos at Auckland's Easter show. There has also been moves by key members of the organisation, such as Auckland SPCA chief executive Bob Kerridge, to have rodeos outlawed altogether.
The SPCA also works in conjunction with the New Zealand Department of Child, Youth and Family Services to ensure that in households where animal abuse is occurring, possible indications of child abuse are looked into and in return where child abuse is found to be occurring, animals are looked into for possible maltreatment. The Society's One of the family empathy education programme was started in 2007, backed by New Zealand celebrity Norm Hewitt, in response to research indicating that a large percentage of criminals begin abusing animals in early life.
One of the SPCA's recurring campaigns is an annual "shame" list, exemplifying the worst cases of animal abuse in New Zealand. The list is designed to bring public awareness to the abuse of animals and to alert the public to the close link between animal cruelty and domestic and family violence.
In late 2012 an SPCA campaign which involved teaching dogs to drive cars made headlines worldwide after featuring on TV3 current affairs show Campbell Live.
Read more about this topic: Royal New Zealand Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals
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