Companion Animals New Zealand (CANZ) has had a year of great progress and achievements, further solidifying our commitment to improving the lives of companion animals across the country.
From 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, CANZ continued to thrive as a national charity dedicated to raising the bar for companion animal care and fostering a harmonious relationship between companion animals, people, and the environment.
The full impact report can be read via the link below, or read on for a few highlights.
A Good Life Centre
The 2023-24 year marked the launch of the "A Good Life Centre”, a significant milestone that represents a strategic evolution for CANZ. The Centre, officially introduced during our successful March 2024 conference, underscores our commitment to positive animal welfare. By combining research with practical information, A Good Life Centre aims to define and promote what a Good Life looks like for companion animals in New Zealand. It will then seek to empower animal guardians across New Zealand to provide optimal care and enhance the well-being of their beloved pets.
This initiative is a testament to our dedication to long-term welfare outcomes, moving beyond supporting responsible pet ownership initiatives to actively shape better lives for pets through education, advocacy, and collaboration.
The New Zealand Companion Animal Register (NZCAR)
The New Zealand Companion Animal Register (NZCAR) continues to be the leading national database for animals’ microchip registrations, having successfully connected over 1.3 million pets with their guardians.
Thanks to partnerships with nearly every veterinary clinic, the SPCA, animal rescues, and more, the NZCAR is well connected to all facets of animal welfare organisations nationally .
Launching EQuiChip ®
EQuiChip® is a community initiative consisting of events where horse owners can come together to have their horses microchipped and registered on a national database. The objective is to enhance equine welfare through enabling positive identification of horses throughout New Zealand.
Founded by Companion Animals New Zealand in 2023 after Cyclone Gabrielle, the initiative started in Hawke’s Bay and the Wairarapa, where more than 200 horses were microchipped and registered across four microchip days. The weather disasters of last year highlighted the importance of identifying all companion animals, including horses, to safeguard against being lost or stolen, and to prepare for emergencies and biosecurity threats. The 2024 events are now underway!
2024 Conference – Companion Animals in a Changing World
Our conference, which brought together over 120 animal welfare experts, was a highlight of the year. It provided a platform for discussing the changing world and its impact on pets, covering themes like climate change, societal shifts, and how to ensure a Good Life for companion animals in these evolving conditions.
The event featured esteemed speakers and culminated in the Assisi Awards, celebrating individuals who have made significant contributions to animal welfare.
Recognising excellence with our Accreditation programme
CANZ has made strides in accrediting animal behavior professionals who meet high standards for humane training and ongoing professional development. This accreditation provides pet owners with confidence in the quality of care their animals receive, addressing the need for regulation in an otherwise unregulated industry. Currently, we are holding a webinar series with some of these experts – free to the public.
That’s a wrap on the last year!
As we reflect on this year’s successes, CANZ is more committed than ever to advancing animal welfare standards both nationally and globally. With ongoing partnerships, community-driven events like the EQuiChip® horse microchipping series, and a dedicated team, we are well-positioned to continue making a positive impact. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our partners, sponsors, and supporters for helping us on this journey.
Together, we are shaping a brighter, more compassionate future for companion animals in New Zealand.
“We focus on positive animal welfare with a New Zealand lens, using our data to provide timely insights and shape what a Good Life for companion animals looks like in theory and practice.
Combining science with practical information, we aim to ensure a better
future for pets, starting with their human guardians.
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Would you like to support our work? Please consider leaving a donation to help positive animal welfare work into the future.
