At Companion Animals New Zealand (CANZ), we are proud to join the global celebration of World Animal Day, a day dedicated to raising the status of animals to improve welfare standards around the world.
As a charitable organisation deeply committed to the wellbeing of companion animals, we believe that every pet deserves to live a life filled with care, love, and respect. By highlighting the importance of animal welfare, World Animal Day shines a spotlight on the shared responsibility we all have in creating a kinder, more compassionate world for animals.
How CANZ is Making a Difference
Through our efforts outlined in the 2023-24 Annual Impact Report, CANZ has been working hard to not only advocate for the welfare of companion animals but also to put tangible programmes and initiatives in place that lift the bar for animal welfare in New Zealand.
Here’s how we are making a meaningful difference:
Understanding animal behaviour to drive change
At Companion Animals New Zealand (CANZ), our commitment to improving animal welfare goes from theory into practice — we invest in robust research to deepen our understanding of animals; what motivates them, their behavioural needs and emotional expressions. We are committed to advancing welfare by improving pet-owner understanding of what’s important for their animals and how best to provide for their welfare needs.
Our research also informs the development of human behaviour change initiatives, helping to educate pet owners on best practices and promoting responsible pet ownership. This ensures that the needs of companion animals are not only understood but met in ways that improve their quality of life. From tackling issues like how we interpret cat emotions during cat interactions, to what is involved in providing animals with a ‘Good Life’, our evidence-based approach is making a lasting difference for animals and their guardians alike.
Supporting desexing and microchipping
Twice a year, CANZ provides funding through our desexing and microchipping grant program, designed to give animals a healthier, more secure start in life. These grants go to a number of other smaller welfare organisations to help reduce the number of unwanted animals, and ensure more pets are microchipped, making it easier for lost animals to be reunited with their families. This initiative not only prevents future welfare issues for companion animals but also contributes to protecting New Zealand’s wildlife by curbing the uncontrolled breeding of cats and dogs.
Supporting responsible pet ownership
Our educational initiatives focus on responsible pet ownership, encouraging communities to understand the importance of microchipping, desexing, and ensuring pets are kept safe and healthy. We've worked closely with local councils to promote cat microchipping and desexing, with an increasing number of regions adopting these practices. This simple step helps reunite lost pets with their families and protects our vulnerable wildlife from unwanted breeding.
The NZ Companion Animal Register (NZCAR)
Through the NZCAR, CANZ has empowered pet owners with a reliable system for lifelong identification of their animals. With over 1.3 million registered pets, we help owners and lost pets reunite quickly and efficiently. Our ongoing promotion of microchipping is a cornerstone of animal welfare, providing peace of mind to pet owners and adding an essential layer of protection for animals.
Collaborating for long-term change
CANZ has been active in working with policymakers and industry leaders to advance legislation that promotes higher welfare standards. We give our expertise across a range of topics, including submitting on local bylaw proposals related to companion animal management, providing views on pet cat management and advocating for the continual update of Companion Animal Codes of Welfare. Through our championing of companion animal needs, we always ensure the welfare of animals is the top priority.
Educational Resources and Outreach
Our ongoing educational outreach supports pet owners and communities with accessible information and resources about the importance of pet care through our science based information hub From our winter care messaging to summer safety tips, we’re continually working to improve the quality of life for pets across New Zealand. This is key to raising awareness and empowering individuals to take action, contributing to long-lasting welfare improvements.
Why raising the status of animals matters
When we talk about raising the status of companion animal welfare we mean recognising that they are sentient beings who depend on us, and why its so important to continually aim for higher welfare standards across the board. By focusing on promoting positive welfare, wehelp drive improvements across the board, raising the current minimum standard of care and in so doing, we are addressing poor welfare by raising the bar. By promoting research, community education, responsible ownership, and policy change, we can help ensure that animals are no longer treated as valued companions who deserve our best efforts to protect their welfare.
Join us in making a difference
This World Animal Day, we invite you to join us in our mission to improve the lives of animals across New Zealand. Whether it’s through responsible pet ownership, supporting local welfare initiatives, or raising awareness in your own community, everyone can play a part. Together, we can continue lifting the bar for animal welfare standards and ensuring a better future for all animals.
If you would like to support CANZ in continuing our work, your donations make a real difference. Every contribution helps us drive the change needed to improve the welfare of animals and to ensure that every companion animal has the chance to live a healthy, happy life.
Donate now and be part of a movement that raises the status of animals for the benefit of us all.