Facts about fleas: a timely reminder

While summer typically sees a surge in flea issues, the cooling nights of autumn encourage us to heat our homes, inadvertently creating ideal conditions for flea populations to thrive.  

With a recent incident of a parasite-related dog fatality in New Zealand, it’s an important reminder to dog owners to make sure their pets are up to date with their flea and tick treatment. The parasite Babesia gibsoni was detected in a dog in the Canterbury region this week (read more about the parasite from the Ministry for Primary Industries here). This is the first time it has been detected here, and the focus is on preventing infection is around treating dogs with tick treatments or combined with flea treatments, and limiting fighting behaviour as it can spread via dog bites too. 

Here we dive a little deeper into fleas in particular - which are not the cause of this parasite but which are often forgotten at this time of year.  To combat these pests effectively, it's essential to know some key facts about fleas: 

• Preference for warm, humid environments: Female fleas favour warm, humid places like heated homes for egg development. 

• Life Cycle and Reproduction: Flea eggs are tiny (about 0.5mm) and can go unnoticed. A female flea can lay up to 50 eggs daily and up to 2,000 eggs over her lifetime. Once hatched, larvae hide in fabrics before pupating in a cocoon, which can stay dormant for months until favorable conditions trigger adulthood. 

• Sensory Abilities: Fleas have sophisticated sensory organs, including heat sensors on their antennae, helping them locate hosts based on body heat and carbon dioxide emissions. 

• Feeding Habits: Adult fleas can consume up to 15 times their body weight in blood during each feeding session, lasting from minutes to hours. 

• Remarkable Leaping Abilities: Despite their small size, fleas can leap up to 13 inches horizontally, about 200 times their body length, making them adept at reaching hosts of various sizes. 

• Disease Transmission: While not primary disease carriers, fleas can indirectly spread illnesses like tapeworm infections if ingested by pets during grooming. 

• Allergic Reactions: The most common issue with flea bites is allergic reactions to their saliva, causing itching, rashes, and potential secondary infections due to scratching. 

Given the prevalence of external and internal parasites (worms, fleas, ticks), it's crucial to maintain regular preventive measures.  

Breaking the flea life cycle requires diligence and regular preventive measures, including checking pets for fleas, using preventive treatments, and maintaining clean living areas to reduce infestation risks. Understanding these facts empowers pet owners to protect their furry companions and homes effectively. 

If dog owners are concerned about their pets’ health, their first port of call should be their veterinarian. 

Why do dogs dig holes in the garden?

Of the many lovable traits our canine companions have, digging big holes in the garden is not likely one of them. But why do some dogs love to dig so much? We look into the underlying reasons why this can become their favourite pastime and what you might be able to do about it. 

Let’s cut to the chase. For dogs, digging is an instinctive behaviour. You might know this already in some way – as we see many companion dogs shovelling dirt with their paws as if they were born to transform our carefully tended gardens into excavation sites. But despite looking natural – we still scratch our head thinking Why? What are they getting from this? 

An instinctive heritage 

The ancestors of our domestic dogs dug to create dens or shelters, or to bury food for later consumption, and those that dug well would have been more likely to breed and survive. These ‘hard-wired’ traits are so ingrained, despite having no obvious function in the modern living situation and many, many years of humans domesticating canines to meet our changing expectations.  

Recent genetic studies suggest that domestication of dogs might have taken place earlier than we originally thought. Early zooarchaeological research found evidence of dog domestication somewhere between 12-15,000 years ago. However, DNA analysis highlights that dogs likely split off from their wolf-ancestry around 130,000 years ago! While this doesn’t mean they were companion animals for all this time, it supports that dogs were alongside humans a lot longer than we originally thought.  

That means thousands of years of dogs digging the Earth. In other words, it is one heck of a legacy of survival strategies passed down through generations! 

However in modern times, these hard-wired traits can cause problems for us. So, what can you do? 

Addressing the root causes of digging 

When dealing with unwanted digging, it’s important to remember that whilst often considered as a nuisance for pet owners, digging is a perfectly natural behaviour for dogs – alongside barking, circling before lying down and other distinctive “doggy” behaviours.  

Consider how well adapted their strong front paws are for digging and shovelling, with some dogs (terrier breeds especially) being ‘purpose-bred’ by humans through history for use in digging foxes/rabbits from their dens/burrows. 

To understand why dogs dig holes in the garden, we need to go back to basics. For a behaviour to be maintained, there must be a rewarding consequence for the animal. It could be that a negative situation perceived by the dog is alleviated through doing the behaviour, or a positive circumstance and feeling is enhanced. It’s important to understand the motivation for the digging behaviour, so that it can be effectively and humanely addressed. 

There are a number of possible reasons or underlying motivations for why dogs start digging and why the behaviour is maintained including: 

• Boredom or Anxiety: Dogs may dig out of boredom or to alleviate anxiety and stress. It's their way of coping with excess energy or pent-up emotions. If you prevent digging without providing an alternative outlet or activity that is effective for reducing negative emotions such as stress or anxiety, you will be making the situation worse for the animal. 

• Comfort-Seeking: Digging can also be a way for dogs to create cool spots in hot weather or warmer places during colder periods. So, if digging is connected with temperature changes – this provides a clue to how the behaviour can be effectively addressed. 

• Instinctive Hunting: Some dogs, driven by their prey drive, may dig to unearth little ground dwelling creatures like rodents or insects, using their keen senses of smell and hearing. If you notice that the dog tends to dig most at certain times of the year or in certain places, such as the roots of trees or fence posts – this may be due to them sensing grubs or rodents under the ground. Of course, the rewarding consequences of digging and locating a tasty food item, or the fun of the hunt – means that the digging behaviour will be maintained. 

• Hoarding Instinct: Dogs may hide prized possessions, like bones, by burying them in holes, a behaviour rooted in their instinct to hoard food. This behaviour has stood the test of time through evolution and had important survival value. Although they don’t need to hoard food to eat when food is scarce, some domestic dogs instinctively hide precious goodies. Redirecting the ‘hiding behaviour’ through positive training to a place that is less damaging to the garden, is one way to reduce the dog’s need to dig a hole to bury special food. 

• Attention-Seeking: If digging earns them attention from their human companions, dogs may continue the behaviour as a means of seeking interaction. There’s nothing more rewarding to a social animal like a dog as their human giving them attention, so if a dog learns this works for them – the unwanted behaviour will be reinforced. If this is the possible motivation driving the behaviour, it’s important to ensure that you don’t become the cause! 

• Escape Behaviour:  In some cases, dogs may dig to escape from fenced areas, especially if they frustrated or stressed by being contained due to being left alone for long periods without proper mental and physical stimulation. If this is the reason for the dog to dig, then it’s important to address the behaviour as a symptom of the dog being in a negative emotional state. Training and use of enrichment to make the environment more interesting and rewarding, are two ways to provide a better life experience for the dog. 

Whilst there are many options for deterring or eliminating digging behaviour, understanding the underlying cause is key to managing it effectively and ensuring that the dog continues to enjoy a Good Life.  

Since digging is a perfectly natural behaviour and many dogs appear to love to dig – owners need to think about how they can provide their dog with a suitable alternative, and/or a managed opportunity for them to enjoy themselves.  

A small sandpit as a designated digging area for your dog, will provide him/her with an outlet for rewarding behaviours such as digging and playing in a controlled environment, whilst also sparing the lawn. Reinforcing digging ONLY in that designated area can be through burying dog treats and toys in the soil/sand and giving the dog positive attention when they are digging only in that area.   

The next time you catch your furry friend excavating your flower beds, remember, it's not just a hole in the ground - it's a glimpse into their instinctive world. 

National Puppy Day: why appropriate socialisation and habituation is so important for future wellbeing

23 March is National Puppy Day! Today we celebrate the unconditional love and affection puppies bring to our lives. But how do we turn our love into meaningful actions to set our puppies up for success?

Most people know that a new puppy will bring a great deal of joy to their new human companions – however, did you know that the socialisation a puppy gets in early puppyhood can establish the behaviour patterns they will have for the rest of their lives?  

What is socialisation? 

The process of ‘socialisation’ includes social aspects such as human handling and socialisation with other dogs and animals. It also includes exposure to various environments, objects, and experiences.

Puppies who only have contact with people and pets in their own household during their first few months are likely to be fearful of unfamiliar people and dogs that they encounter later. The aim of any socialisation effort is that it be done in a positive manner, so the puppy gains knowledge, trust and resilience, giving it the education it needs to lead A Good Life, and to be a good canine companion and societal citizen.   

When should socialisation start? 

Before three weeks of age, puppies’ sight and hearing are developing, so they are wholly reliant on their mothers. Nonetheless, even at this young age, puppies that are handled are calmer at eight weeks (barking less and exploring more) compared to those that are not handled. In an ideal world, puppies should complete their vaccinations and be ready to socialise with other dogs on walks or at well-run puppy classes at around 12-weeks old. However, the need for socialisation needs to be balanced with the need to effectively protect puppies from exposure to diseases whilst they are not fully vaccinated and it’s important to be guided by your vet in this area. 

What we do know is that as puppies become less reliant on their mother, socialisation becomes even more important. The experiences (positive and negative) a puppy has during this period have lifelong effects. The period from about three weeks to 14 weeks of age is when the process of ‘habituation’ can take place most effectively. During this time puppies learn that things they are exposed to at a manageable level are normal and do not pose a threat to them and don’t need to be feared. This means that providing the puppy with a range of positive experiences, enrichment toys, handling and safe interactions with fully-vaccinated dogs will all help set him or her up for a great future. 

Of course, as anyone that has raised a puppy knows, continued contact with humans, other dogs and animals, and varied sights and sounds, is important throughout the juvenile stage of life as well, as all these interactions contribute to the way the dog ultimately behaves as an adult.   

 Benefits of socialisation 

Socialisation is a fundamental component to ensuring a dog can lead A Good Life with its human companions. Research has reported numerous benefits of socialisation, including: 

• Positive lifelong bonds and relationships with humans 

• Increased trainability 

• Openness to new places, people, and animals 

• Capacity to cope with stress, like sounds and separation 

• Reduced negative adult behaviours, like fearfulness and aggression 

• Increased positive adult behaviours, like friendliness and the ability to learn tasks  

Considerations  

It is important that the interactions and experiences provided during the socialisation period are appropriate for the age and breed of the dog. For instance, one study reported that exposure to loud noises early in life (particularly not in a controlled manner) resulted in fearful responses to fireworks, gunshots, and thunder later in adulthood.  

If socialisation is aimed at introducing other animals, some breeds innately react differently than others. For example, herding breeds naturally ‘work’ livestock.  

Interestingly, research suggests that more varied stimuli, including some instances of mild stress, will result in the dog being more resilient in adulthood. One study showed lifelong benefits of very short instances of removal from their nest in very early life.  

However, it is important that socialisation is ultimately a positive experience for puppies, so stressors should be just a tiny portion of the socialisation experience. A final consideration is puppy classes. A review of various studies yielded a mixed result; while such classes serve to provide socialisation opportunities for some animals (like those that receive no other exposure to dogs), it’s important that the experience is a positive one for your pup, and it’s likely that they should just be one part of the wider spectrum of puppy experiences in early life.  

 Seeking advice 

Most of us have a reasonable understanding of the people, animals and experiences to which we want to socialise our puppies, but the way to accomplish this exposure in an effective and positive way can be daunting.  

It is best to seek advice and assistance from someone who is accredited for their skillset. You can find accredited professionals on our Companion Animals NZ website page here. Given the importance of your puppy’s early life on their future psychological and emotional wellbeing, as well as yours, seeking advice from a professional trainer at the puppy stage is well worth the investment.  

References:  

1. Gazzano A, Mariti C, Notari L, Sighieri C, McBride EA. 2008. Effects of early gentling and early environment on emotional development of puppies. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 110(3-4):294-304. 

1. Battaglia CL. 2009. Periods of early development and the effects of stimulation and social experiences in the canine. Journal of Veterinary Behavior. 4(5):203-210. 

1. Miklósi Á. 2014. Dog behaviour, evolution, and cognition. oUp Oxford. 

1. Howell TJ, King T, Bennett PC. 2015. Puppy parties and beyond: The role of early age socialization practices on adult dog behavior. Veterinary Medicine: Research and Reports, 6:143-153. 

Companion Animals in a Changing World – Conference 2024 Wrap

Companion Animals NZ Chair, Steven Thompson, with Hon. Minster Hoggard

On 12 March, more than 120 animal welfare experts, including researchers, advocates and senior figures, gathered in Hamilton New Zealand to discuss the impact of the changing world on our pets. Hosted by Companion Animals New Zealand, this biennial conference serves as a platform to bring together diverse perspectives in animal welfare and foster industry-wide collaboration. 

The day was full of insightful presentations across a number of themes – from our changing expectations and changing climate, to our changing lifestyles and how we can provide a Good Life for our companion animals in a changing world.  

The conference commenced with an inaugural address by the Honorable Andrew Hoggard, Minister responsible for Animal Welfare, who underscored the intrinsic value companion animals hold in New Zealanders' lives. Drawing from personal anecdotes, including the cherished position of his own pets within his household hierarchy, the Minister emphasised New Zealand's steadfast commitment to upholding high standards of animal welfare. 

Keynote speakers included professors and expert practitioners from all over the world, speaking on a variety of topics including: 

•  how societal views and our own lifestyle and behavioural changes have impacted our pets health and welfare (for example, working families and increased incidence of ‘modern’ diseases such as obesity in humans),  

• how research around retired greyhounds in the UK is helping improve the success of efforts to home greyhounds and mitigate their rates of relinquishment, and  

• how the environmental footprint of pet management including breeding, veterinary procedures and pet food production should be considered into the future.  

Also covered was the mutual benefit of the human and animal relationship and research around how we can measure an animal’s emotional experience to ensure it enjoys mostly positive emotions and has a good quality of life. 

Professor Nat Waran of Companion Animals New Zealand reflected on the  insights gleaned during the 2024 Companion Animals Conference, emphasising the important role this event holds as a catalyst for meaningful, forward focussed dialogue. She highlighted the importance of recognising our impact on companion animals and their welfare,  and cautioned against imposing human interpretations on their experiences. 

Waran remarked, "One key takeaway for me personally ist he need to view animal welfare through a lens devoid of human biases. Often, our perceptions of what constitutes a positive experience for animals may not align with their reality. As our understanding of the importance of positive human-animal relationships grows, so does our recognition of the ethical responsibilities we have towards them and their maintenance in our society." 

Expressing gratitude to the diverse array of speakers whose contributions enriched the conference, Waran spoke of the collaborative spirit that drives progress in animal welfare. She noted, "These gatherings foster an environment of sharing  and learning, paving the way for a more enlightened and compassionate approach to caring for our cherished companions to ensure they experience a good quality of life." 

Following on from the Conference day, the gala dinner saw the announcement of four incredible winners of the Assisi Awards, recognising animal welfare excellence.  The conference was also attended by participants online from various countries via a live-stream link.

Plenary and invited talks will soon be made available to the public via companionanimals.nz. Companion Animals New Zealand would like to thank all the sponsors who made this event possible – outlined below. 

Cats and calories – how cooler months ahead means watching their waistlines

Pet ownership comes with a myriad of responsibilities, from ensuring their well-being to providing them with a loving home. In New Zealand, we love our cat companions – with 41% of the population owning at least one feline pet. But are we keeping a close enough eye on their weight?  

When the cooler months hit, our cats can sometimes prefer to keep closer to home and stay warm, just like us. This means we are moving less and need to watch what we eat – only our cats rely on us to do that for them.  

With one in four New Zealand cats classified as overweight or obese, there is a need to better understand the factors influencing these trends.  

Nutrition plays a crucial role in cat welfare, influencing their overall health, disease susceptibility, and longevity. Obesity is linked to various feline health issues like osteoarthritis and diabetes. Global trends show a concerning rise in cat obesity, mirrored in NZ. In 1993, 26% of NZ cats were overweight or obese, rising to 63% in 2007. 

A 2019 study identified two key factors contributing to obesity in companion cats in NZ – firstly owner misperception of their cats' body condition, and secondly, feeding them a varied diet, complicating calorie control.  A healthy weight for your animal is key to them having a Good Life, so it’s critical you keep an eye on their dietary habits. 

What cat owners can do  

Understanding cat obesity requires recognising the signs and taking appropriate action. But this is sometimes easier said than done. Many cat owners struggle to accurately assess their pets' body condition, often underestimating their weight.  

What you can do: 

• Talk to your veterinary professional about your animal’s weight and get advice on their diet – firstly understanding where their body condition is 

• Ensure there is consistency in their diet so calorie control is easier to manage 

• Be careful of treats – and in particular, educate any children interacting with them on how important it is not to overfeed cats 

• Get creative with ways to play with your cat and get them moving! Stimulating their body and mind is a great way to burn up excess energy. 

Need visuals on what is an ideal weight? The WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee have a great Body Condition Score sheet with visuals to assess the ideal weight for a feline companion. 

Click the link above to see this PDF online

What lies ahead? 

Moving forward, we are prioritising future research initiatives and educational activities. One big thing to tackle is the gap between owners’ and vets’ perception of cats’ body condition scoring (BCS). Plus, there is a need to understand the correlations between activity levels, dietary patterns, and BCS perception. 

Finally, further investigation into guidelines for maintaining a balanced diet in cats is essential, given the prevalent practice of offering cats a variety of foods and treats. Veterinary professionals and pet store personnel hold significant potential in disseminating this information, as well as signage in the supermarket aisles, particularly to households with children who may be unknowingly feeding more food and treats to their animal via the children.  

As we creep closer to winter, it's the perfect time to prioritise your cat’s weight management to ensure they lead a Good Life. Take action now to monitor their diet and activity levels, setting the stage for a happier and healthier winter season for your beloved feline companions. 

More on the 2019 Study 

The 2019 study, conducted from January 2019 to March 2019, surveyed residents aged 18 years and above to gather insights into the feeding habits and owner-related risk factors contributing to feline obesity. Among the key findings, it was revealed that 65.5% of respondents owned cats, with female, rural, or households with children being more likely to have feline companions. 

Diving deeper into feeding practices, the survey uncovered that a significant portion of cat owners relied on biscuits from supermarkets (63%) and wet food (57%) as primary dietary sources. Additionally, approximately 45% opted for specialized pet shop or veterinary clinic foods, while 31% incorporated raw meat into their cat's diet. This variety in feeding habits poses challenges in estimating appropriate caloric intake, potentially leading to excess weight gain in feline companions. 

Furthermore, the study highlighted discrepancies in owners' perceptions of their cat's body condition, with nearly 30% disagreeing with the correct body condition statement. This underscores the importance of education and awareness campaigns to empower  

These findings underscore the critical need for further research and interventions to address feline obesity in New Zealand. By understanding the behavioural patterns of pet owners and identifying key risk factors, we can pave the way for innovative approaches to promote healthy weight management and enhance the overall well-being of our feline companions.  

 *The Diets of Companion Cats in Aotearoa New Zealand: Identification of Obesity Risk Factors (squarespace.com)  

World Frog Day: What do frogs need from us?

Each year, frogs all over the world are celebrated on 20 March – World Frog Day. But do you know what it takes for a frog to have a Good Life? Haven't the froggiest? Here we outline a few key aspects to keeping these web-footed, leaping companions content.  

Frog facts  

New Zealand has three native frog species (or four, depending on if you group Maud Island Frog with Hamilton’s Frog). These frogs are endangered and must not be kept as pets.  

For people keen to have a companion frog, there are three Australian frog species available (southern bell frog, green and golden bell frog, whistling/southern brown tree frog). These frogs can be long lived (5 – 15 years, depending on the species), so it is important that their captive homes are well setup, and allow them to perform natural behaviours. 

While not all specific to the species kept as pets in NZ, frog research exists that demonstrates the benefits of improving housing environments.  

Key Elements for Frog Housing  

• Enriching environments that promote natural behaviours. Shelters should allow frogs to hide, particularly during the day if they are nocturnal. It also helps to cover insects with leaves that will promote natural frog foraging behaviour. (1)  

• Appropriate social structure. Both southern bell, and green and golden, frogs are typically solitary, territorial and sometimes cannibalistic, yet each species naturally congregate during the mating season and call to one another. (2) Therefore, keeping a single frog without providing the opportunity to communicate with another frog may compromise its welfare. Make sure you do your research on the species of frog you’ll be bringing home and how they prefer to interact – or not – with other frogs. 

• Background surroundings are important. We tend to focus a great deal about what is on the inside of a pet’s enclosure, so often the outside gets forgotten. For instance, research into largely water-dwelling frog shows that surrounding their enclosure with a dark coloured background reduces stress and weight loss. (3) It is important to know what kind of colours and images your frog species would naturally encounter and try to mimic that.  

• Be conscious of noise. A study of southern brown tree frogs experiencing traffic noise reported that these frogs increased the pitch of their calls. As this work aimed to evaluate mating success, the authors did not reflect on overall frog welfare, nonetheless this (and other) work demonstrates that frogs are sensitive to noise, and therefore we should be cognisant of the ambient noise of pet frogs’ enclosures. (4) 

A Final Note 

It's crucial to remember that pet frogs should remain as pets and never be released into the wild. This is vital for the welfare and future of New Zealand's native frogs. To learn more about these fascinating creatures and conservation efforts, visit NZ Frogs, a charity dedicated to frog conservation: https://nzfrogs.org 

We hope you found this a ribbiting read – now hop along and enjoy international frog day! 

References: 

1. Michaels CJ, Roger Downie JR, Campbell-Palmer R. 2014. The importance of enrichment for advancing amphibian welfare and conservation goals: A review of a neglected topic. Amphibian & Reptile Conservation 8(1):7–23. https://amphibian-reptile-conservation.org/pdfs/Volume/Vol_8_no_1/ARC_8_1_[Gen_Sec]_7-23_e77_low_res.pdf 

2. Introduced Frogs. 2021. The New Zealand Herpetological Society. https://www.reptiles.org.nz/herptetofauna/introduced-index 

3. Holmes AM, Emmans CJ,  Jones N, Coleman R, Smith TE, Hosie CA. 2016. Impact of tank background on the welfare of the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis (Daudin), Applied Animal Behaviour Science 185:131–136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2016.09.005 

4. Parris KM, Velik-Lord M, North JMA. 2009. Frogs call at a higher pitch in traffic noise. Ecology and Society, 14(1). http://www.jstor.org/stable/26268025 

Companion Animals NZ hosts prestigious Assisi Awards Ceremony recognising animal welfare excellence

Every two years, passionate animal welfare advocates are celebrated at the esteemed Assisi Awards ceremony, hosted by Companion Animals New Zealand (CANZ) to honour individuals whose dedication advances animal welfare globally. 

The Award, named in honor of the Patron Saint of Animals, St. Francis of Assisi, serves as recognition of the achievements of those whose goals echo the principles of excellence in animal welfare. This year, four exceptional individuals were honored at a gala dinner held in Hamilton on March 12. 

Companion Animals New Zealand Board Chair, Steven Thompson, expressed his pride in hosting the awards ceremony and acknowledging outstanding service to animals. "These winners demonstrate incredible dedication to animal welfare and serve as a shining example of the profound impact that one person can have on the lives of countless animals," said Mr. Thompson. "In a world where compassion for all sentient creatures is paramount, we are truly fortunate to have such individuals in our communities. Their work to ensure a ‘Good Life’ for animals is aligned to our work at Companion Animals New Zealand and for that, we are forever grateful for their efforts and are so proud to have celebrated them this week." 

2024 Assisi Award winners: 

Hartley Holder - Auckland 

Driven by her passion for animal welfare, Hartley Holder founded Auckland Cavy Care at 14. Now at 25, she, alongside her mother Raylene Holder, transformed their home into a sanctuary for abandoned guinea pigs and other animals. They work together to ensure each animal receives necessary care and finds loving homes, building a strong public profile through media and educational outreach efforts. Hartley embodies exceptional dedication to animal welfare. Her dedication extends beyond guinea pigs, as she also cares for stray cats, rabbits, and other animals in need, working tirelessly to ensure their well-being. 

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Julia Stevenson-Renwick - Bay of Plenty 

Julia Stevenson-Renwick is a beacon of compassion in Kawerau. As founder of KTown Community Animal Welfare Society, she's rallied a community of animal lovers into a formidable force for good. Julia inspires the team who rescue and provide care to many animals in need.  For eighteen years, Julia has dedicated her life to caring for and rehoming needy animals, serving as a volunteer for the SPCA for fifteen of those years. She has made a profound impact on the eastern Bay of Plenty, with KTown CAW desexing more than 700 animals since its inception in December 2020. She is truly an unsung hero in the community.  

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Dr Helen Beattie - Dunedin 

Helen's lifelong commitment to animal welfare, showcased through her diverse career spanning clinical practice, animal welfare advocacy, and leadership roles, has positioned her as a prominent figure in the veterinary community. Helen founded Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Aotearoa (VAWA) and her appointment as Managing Director underscores her dedication to advancing animal welfare in New Zealand, cementing her status as a leader in the field. Helen's work drives meaningful change and champions the pursuit of A Good Life for animals across New Zealand. 

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Dr Hayley Squance – Palmerston North 

Hayley's exceptional expertise and dedication in emergency management have earned her international recognition and admiration. With a background as a qualified veterinary technologist, she has made significant contributions as an emergency management practitioner, researcher, and educator. Hayley's leadership is evident in her founding of the Massey University Veterinary Emergency Response Team and in her work for the Ministry for Primary Industries on disaster response efforts. she has coordinated animal welfare interventions in over 50 disaster events, including earthquakes, floods, wildfires, terrorist attacks, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Her collaboration with international organizations such as the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) further exemplifies her impact and leadership in the field of emergency management. 

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More on CANZ Awards 

The Assisi Awards are held every two years, and are one of two series of Awards held by Companion Animals New Zealand. The other, Te Tohu Maimoa (Te Tohu is te reo for 'award' and Maimoa, as a verb means 'to cherish or care for' and as a noun means 'companion animal') recognise the contribution of people involved in the well-being of Companion Animals in New Zealand. These awards are held twice a year (except in Assisi award years) and nominations focus on achievements in the previous six months. The awards are open to everyone working with companion animals: volunteers, staff, educators and officers who have improved the lives of animals. 

Equine Welfare: Understanding horse emotions

Expert blog: Professor Nat Waran 

The field of Animal Welfare Science took a big step forward with the unveiling of the 'Brambell Report' in the UK in 1965. This report, along with the establishment of the UK Farm Animal Welfare Council and the inception of the 'Five Freedoms,' marked the birth of a new era in animal welfare. Professor Brambell emphasised the importance of understanding animal ethology and acknowledging the emotional experiences of animals in assessing their welfare. 

Fast forward to today, and the conversation surrounding animal welfare has evolved significantly. Alongside scientific developments, there's a growing public concern regarding the treatment and use of animals, including horses. While horses hold a unique position between pets and production animals, their welfare often receives less attention, especially in recreational and sporting contexts. 

Horse welfare under the spotlight 

In recent years, increased public awareness and access to information, thanks to the internet and social media, have placed horse welfare under closer scrutiny. There's a rising expectation for equine sports and activities to prioritise the well-being of horses, ensuring they lead fulfilling lives. 

Understanding equine emotions poses a significant challenge. While horse owners often attribute emotions to their animals, these interpretations can be subjective and anthropomorphic (described or thought of as having a human form or human attributes). Misreading or ignoring a horse's emotional state can have detrimental effects on both the horse and the human involved. 

The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has emphasised the importance of a "happy equine athlete," but determining a horse's happiness is complex. Absence of certain behaviors, like tail swishing or teeth grinding, is not sufficient evidence of a positive emotional state. Measuring and interpreting animal emotions requires robust, evidence-based methods, which is particularly challenging given that animals cannot self-report their feelings. 

Pairing observation with science 

While horse owner observations are valuable, they come with limitations. Owners may struggle to remain objective due to their emotional attachment and vested interests. Objective assessments of equine quality of life demand evidence-based methodologies that consider both positive and negative emotional states. 

Developing such methodologies involves exploring horses' preferences and behavioral expressions under various circumstances. Behavioral tests and qualitative assessments offer promising avenues for understanding equine emotions and well-being. However, funding for equine behavioral research remains a challenge, with horses often being a low priority compared to other animals. 

Despite these challenges, there's a collective aspiration to provide horses with a good life. Recognising and rewarding practices that prioritise positive emotional states in horses could transform training and competition across disciplines, ultimately benefiting both horses and humans alike. As we continue to unlock the secrets of equine welfare, the journey towards ensuring horses lead fulfilling lives remains ongoing. 

At Companion Animals New Zealand, we’re excited to lead more initiatives and research about this subject as part of our A Good Life for Animals Centre. Our activity includes leading the development of research to discover indicators of equine emotion and develop effective human behaviour change approaches, as well as delivering education opportunities via conference and presentations. Some examples include: 

• Collaborating with two international teams: 

• developing robust indicators of positive emotions in horses with support from the Hong Kong Jockey Club, and 

• Working with the Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development (FORMAS) on ‘How to facilitate Human Behaviour Change regarding equine welfare' 

• Taking part in a new research collaboration with a team in Brazil to use AI to develop improved ability to recognise signs of positive and negative emotions in horses when they are being ridden.  

• Driving the change via involvement with International Federations responsible for equine welfare – Chairing the Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission and producing a report proposing A Good Life for Horses 

• Organising the international Society for Equitation Science Conference in NZ -with the theme of A Good Life for Horses 

• Chairing a new Eurogroup for Animal Welfare –Policy Development Committee to produce a White paper – a comprehensive document describing equine welfare needs for a Good Life for all horses. 

Today, the discourse on animal welfare concerning horses, has expanded significantly and we're excited to spearhead initiatives and research endeavors in New Zealand and with organisation overseas aimed at advancing equine welfare. 

Professor Nat Waran BSc (Hons), PhD (Cantab)

Director - A Good Life for Animals Centre

The science of dog training: three key building blocks

Our beloved dogs hold a special place in our hearts, with around a third of New Zealand households welcoming these faithful companions into their homes. However, ensuring that our canine friends become valued members of society requires more than just affection; it involves understanding their needs and behaviors to promote responsible ownership and training.  

Here we explore three building blocks for effective and humane dog training, shedding light on how owners can cultivate strong bonds and positive behaviors in their canine companions. But first, let’s step back in time to look at the history of our bond with dogs. 

History of "man's best friend”  

The human-animal bond is considered to be over 12 thousand years old and was likely to be originally based on a mutually beneficial relationship. The dog was one of the first animals to be domesticated – transitioning from being tolerated as a scavenger around the early human settlements to being valued as a human companion, in a relatively short time. The domestic dog (Canis familiaris), one of 38 species in the canine family (Canidae), shares behavioral tendencies with its relatives such as wolves, coyotes, and foxes.  

Yet despite selective breeding for various traits and the length of time we’ve had with them as companions, dogs retain many behaviors common among canines. Behavioral problems often stem from a lack of understanding of normal dog behavior and the variability among breeds and individuals. In many areas, we as humans are falling short in terms of meeting their welfare needs. 

Effective training is one area where there is much room for improvement. Even with the correct use of positive reinforcement methods (often called reward–based training), there are often problems, such as: with the timing of the reward, the clarity of the signals and other factors that can cause problems for the dog in making the correct associations. This can sometimes cause a breakdown in training success - which can be frustrating for both dog and human.  

Sadly, this often leads to inappropriate use of aversive training and handling techniques and even the use of inhumane methods to force the animal to perform (or not) the behaviour.  

A way to overcome this is for dog owners is to understand more about how animals learn most effectively, how they are motivated and how they are different from us.  

1. Understanding Canine Ethology (the science of animal behaviour):  

Dogs are dogs, people are people. It seems a simple statement, but it is very important to understand that what matters to them is different to what matters to us.  

Dogs have evolved from ancestors who were predators, social pack animals and with senses far superior to humans. Making the time to understand them and the way they perceive the world, can not only help us to train in a more canine-centred way but also to appreciate the amazing animals that they are. 

Dogs, though descended from wolves, have been unintentionally bred for a more juvenile appearance, known as paedomorphosis, affecting their communication abilities compared to wolves. This altered physical appearance can affect dogs' communication abilities compared to wolves, with breeds like brachycephalic dogs experiencing limitations in facial expressions. As social beings, dogs thrive in modified pack systems, relying on effective communication for social interactions, underscoring their enduring bond with humans. Despite this bond, issues like relinquishment to shelters due to perceived behavioral problems highlight the need for better understanding and management of canine behaviour, emphasising the importance of education and support from professionals in the field. 

In short, we need to apply science to practice when looking after our canine friends. 

2. Intentional modification of behaviour (AKA “training”) 

Dog training can be defined as the ‘intentional modification of the frequency and/or intensity of specific behavioural responses’. This may sound like a mouthful, but it is crucial to know this isn’t about learning commands – it is about reinforcing a particular desired response to a signal in a consistent and timely manner. This is key to your dog making a good connection between the signal or cue you use and the behavioural response you want. 

Dogs learn through making associations between their actions or inactions and the consequence these actions have for them. Successful and humane training relies upon the trainer having a good understanding of the application of learning theory, dog behaviour and a clear understanding of the goals and the limitations of the training approach being used.  

Reinforcers - from theory to practice: 

• Types of Reinforcers: Reinforcers can be positive, such as treats or praise, or negative, like the release of pressure on a leash (not to be confused with punishment techniques), and are effective in shaping desired behavior. Choosing the reinforcer to use will need to take into account the individual character of each dog, since some will be food motivated, but others prefer to work for toys or attention. 

• Secondary Positive Reinforcement: Techniques like clicker training utilise secondary positive reinforcement, conditioning dogs to associate a specific signal with a reward, facilitating training even at a distance. 

• Reinforcement Schedules: There are also different types of reinforcement schedules that can be used to keep your dog motivated. Once the dog has learned the association between a cue/signal because he/she has been rewarded after every correct response using a continuous reinforcement schedule –some trainers will switch to a more variable schedule so that the dog maintains his or her motivation to perform the response, or even get better at it. The differential reinforcement (DR) schedule is where the dog is given different valued rewards that reflect the quality of their performance of the response. For example, the dog only gets rewarded for above-average responses, getting better rewards for better responses. 

 Punishment-based methods, like loud noises or shouts should be avoided. These may temporarily stop unwanted behavior but can lead to fear and anxiety in dogs. Responsible guardians should prioritise reward-based or positive training methods, emphasising the need for humane and ethical treatment in achieving successful behavior modification in dogs. Developing good timing, whatever method you use, is key to reward the response you want consistently and immediately.  

3. Asking for help 

Finally, it is absolutely fine to ask for help when you need it. Asking for help when you need dog training is not only acceptable but highly encouraged for several reasons. Firstly, every dog is unique, with its own personality, temperament, and learning style, making it challenging for novice trainers to navigate training complexities effectively.  

Seeking guidance from experienced professionals ensures that training approaches are tailored to your dog's individual needs, maximizing effectiveness and minimizing frustration for both you and your pet. Additionally, professional trainers possess a wealth of knowledge in canine behavior and training techniques, offering valuable insights and strategies to address specific issues or challenges you may encounter during the training process.  

Moreover, seeking help demonstrates responsible pet ownership, prioritising your dog's well-being and development by investing in proper training and socialisation.  

You can get expert help from one of the Companion Animals New Zealand Accredited Animal Trainers and Animal Behaviourists who only use humane training methods that are based on an understanding of the way animals learn. Follow the link below for more information about who you can approach in your area.   

More about responsible pet ownership 

In New Zealand, regulations outlined in the Dog Control Act 1996 establish legal obligations for dog owners, emphasising care, control, and registration. Companion Animals New Zealand advocates for microchipping and registration, promoting initiatives like the New Zealand Companion Animal Register to enhance pet safety and reunification in case of emergencies or straying. 

Tolerance for our pets by others in our community requires that they be trained and contained so that they do not become a public problem. Being a good animal citizen is essential, and since the dog doesn’t know the rules, it’s up to the responsible owner to ensure that they provide their dog with the correct socialisation and good training to ensure they are an asset rather than a liability. 

Exploring the future of pets in New Zealand: conference to tackle big questions of changing attitudes, environment and cost of living

Companion Animals New Zealand (CANZ) is thrilled to be hosting its upcoming March conference, “Companion Animals in a Changing World”, set to address critical issues impacting companion animals and bring together passionate advocates for animal welfare. 

Among the topics covered in the conference hosted by the national charity will be the ever-evolving discourse on cat management, environmental challenges and the economic impact on pet owners.  

The conference, which takes place 12-13 March, will bring together international speakers and leading animal experts such as vets, scientists, SPCA, shelters and other animal welfare organisations from around the country.  

Professor Nat Waran from CANZ, says New Zealanders might be considered a pet-loving nation (with more than two thirds of households being home to one or more companion animals), but changing societal values are driving questions concerning the role and acceptability of pets-keeping, and impacting how we care for our animals.   

"This is the perfect time to consider how, in a rapidly changing world, we can maintain our commitment to ensuring the wellbeing of our pets” says Professor Waran.  

“There has been a lot of debate relating to the management of cats, for example. This is only going to increase. As are conversations about dog management, and where they can exercise freely or be present in our community – as there is a need for more parks and spaces for dogs to exercise off-leash. From a risk perspective, we hear about many dogs found to be roaming which is of concern. Expectations are changing and responsible pet ownership is understandably under the spotlight. 

“Adding to this, how are we considering our pet’s impact on the environment? And how are we learning from last year’s weather in relation to emergency preparedness? Ultimately, we are wanting to address the question of how we ensure animals in our homes are experiencing a good life now and into the future.” 

The timely conference follows the anniversary of Cyclone Gabrielle which had disastrous consequences for so many animals. It also comes after a year of coverage around companion animal overpopulation across the country, as shelters struggle being inundated with unwanted animals, as well as heightened calls for a national legislation involving mandating the desexing and microchipping of companion cats. 

CANZ, the custodian of New Zealand's pet microchip database (NZCAR), is uniquely placed to host this vital conversation, as it regularly works with a diverse range of animal welfare groups across the country. The conference will build on CANZ’s recently launched initiative – ‘A Good life for Animals’ Centre – a collaborative effort to fill knowledge gaps and elevate animal welfare standards across the country. 

“Even people with the best intentions might not have the knowledge needed to be confident that their pet’s wellbeing is optimised,” continues Professor Waran. “A ‘Good Life’ means maximizing positive experiences and emotions, and minimising negative ones. I’m honoured to be directing this new Centre, helping define what a ‘Good Life’ for companion animals is within the New Zealand context.” 

Tickets are still available for the March Conference and the conference is open to all who want to learn about the latest research and best practice.  

More information: 

• “Companion Animals in A Changing World” Conference information https://www.companionanimals.nz/conference  

• A Good Life web page: https://www.companionanimals.nz/a-good-life-for-companion-animals  

Animal charity emphasises pet loss prevention one year on from Cyclone Gabrielle

Companion Animals New Zealand (CANZ), national charity and custodian of New Zealand's Companion Animal Register (NZCAR), is calling for more animals to be microchipped as a way of ensuring they can be reunited with their owners, should another tragedy such as the cyclone take place.

The devastating consequences of Cyclone Gabrielle cannot be underestimated and will continue for many years to come. For animals in particular, confronting footage and images showcased how vulnerable they are to being very quickly separated from their guardian’s care.    

Professor Nat Waran, former Chair of the Companion Animals NZ Board and now Director of a new CANZ animal welfare initiative, highlights the need for increased microchipping of animals as a means of facilitating reunification in emergency situations. She emphasises that while microchipping is commonly associated with dogs and cats, it is equally essential for other companion animals, including horses.

“Being from the Hawkes’ Bay and heavily involved in the horse community, I know of many heartbreaking stories involving horses being swept away in front of their owners’ eyes,” says Professor Waran. “There is currently no national equine database, so to address this gap in equine identification, CANZ launched the EQuiChip initiative. This community event aims to microchip and register horses to ensure their safety during crises.”

The initiative has seen significant success, with more than 150 horses, ponies, and donkeys microchipped at no cost during the first three EQuiChip community events in Hawkes’ Bay, thanks to generous sponsorship. Subsequent events have been held in the Wairarapa, with plans for additional outreach efforts to promote equine microchipping and registration.

Professor Waran says, in the aftermath of the cyclone, animal owners were desperately seeking information about their pet’s whereabouts – posting pictures and messages on community Facebook sites, making repeated calls and visits to the emergency rescue centres and travelling around the flooded and silted region trying to spot animals who may have made it to high ground. 

“Having animal details linked to a guardian on a register, accessed by scanning a microchip, is invaluable in an emergency. This not only increases chances of finding your animal, but it also reduces the need for that animal to rely on another facility and staff while displaced. Sadly, in many instances, it is also simply to let the owner have peace if the animal has passed. The stark reality is microchipping ensures a far greater chance of reuniting the animals – either alive or deceased.”

The NZCAR currently holds microchip information for over 1.2 million pets nationwide. In any given month, more than 500 animals are listed as missing and chances of reunition with owners is three times more likely if they are microchipped with registration details up to date. Approximately 700 horses are now registered on NZCAR.   

CANZ General Manager, David Lloyd, says CANZ regularly works alongside several other agencies, such as MPI, to ensure Aotearoa is ready to respond and recover from emergencies - including natural disasters. 

“Following the cyclone, we had a staff presence at the Hawkes’ Bay Racecourse where a temporary companion animal shelter was established,” says Lloyd. “Our role was to help with the positive identification of any animals that were relinquished to the shelter. We also arranged the distribution of 500 microchips and dozens of scanners to assist frontline animal welfare volunteers. We had people working round the clock to support our Lost Pet service and were in regular communication with the 950 authorised users nationwide such as vet clinics, SPCA and rescues, who we work with to help lost pets get home.”  

“This anniversary is a difficult time for many – but it can also serve as an important reminder. We must prepare for these scenarios and microchipping and registering our animals is one very important way we can do this.”  

CANZ is encouraging pet owners around the country to microchip their animal, and if they are microchipped to make sure their pet’s microchip is registered on the NZCAR and details are up to date. People can do this by signing in at www.animalregister.co.nz or if you need some help, call their friendly support team a call on 0508 LOST PET.   

A Christmas message from the teams at Companion Animals NZ

The Companion Animals New Zealand and the NZ Companion Animals Register Team wish you and your companion animal(s) a wonderful, safe and fun festive season

We are almost at the end of 2023 - a year of significant challenge and change for animal guardians and their animals in New Zealand.

The impact of both La Niña and climate change, resulted in the extreme and devastating weather events experienced by so many in New Zealand which demonstrated for all of us, the importance of emergency planning and for these to include how we safeguard our animals. Companion Animals New Zealand and the NZ Companion Animal Register Team mobilised quickly to provide information from our microchip database that was needed by the coordinated emergency rescue services to help identify animals and try to reunite them with their worried owners as soon as was possible. Following the immediate national emergency, we mounted a campaign to support the permanent identification and registration of horses and ponies in New Zealand, to improve the chances of them being quickly and easily identified and traced to their owners. In 2024, we plan to extend the EQuiChip™ Community Events run successfully in Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa to other equestrian communities across the country. If you want to learn more about how to run an event, please get in touch with us, and we will provide a Campaign Guide and our support.

Making it easier for owners to find their lost pets is also why we actively promote the need for all companion species to be microchipped and registered and why we have recently completed the work to merge our LostPet Service with the NZCAR microchip database to create a “super-site” for lost and found animals. This means that if sadly you do lose your pet, you can mark your animal as lost on the NZCAR, then you will also create a free and immediate LostPet listing, that you can share across social media. Guardians who lose a pet that is not yet microchipped or registered, can still create free LostPet listings for their animals. We are proud that as a well-respected animal charity we offer incredible value. The $15 registration fee is a ‘one-off‘ charge covering the lifetime registration of an animal, with the funds used to support animal welfare causes, as well as the development of research and education programmes to improve animal lives in New Zealand.

Apart from managing the NZCAR, Companion Animals New Zealand is actively involved with improving standards of care and training of dogs, cats, horses and other pets through our NZ Accreditation Scheme for Animal trainers and behaviour counsellors. The scheme allows animal owners to select an animal behaviorist or trainer that uses only ethical, humane, positive training and behaviour modification methods, ensuring high standards of welfare. This year we welcomed a good number of new animal behaviourists and trainers to become members of our accreditation scheme. You can find the current list here: See https://www.companionanimals.nz/canz-accredited-ats-atis

Despite all of the challenges of 2023, we are also extremely pleased to have been able to continue with our plans to bring our vision of a Good Life for Animals to life through the creation of a new virtual collaborative Research and Education Centre. The Centre aims to help ‘raise the bar’ for companion animals by proactively promoting the importance of higher standards of welfare, animals experiencing mainly positive emotional states and ensuring that animal guardians have the most up to date sicnece based information about how to provide ‘A Good Life’ for the many different species of pets we enjoy. The ‘A Good Life for Animals Centre’ under the direction of former CANZ Board Chair, Professor Nat Waran, will be formally launched at the Companion Animal Conference in Hamilton in March 2024.

In addition to promoting positive welfare, we also gather information to help inform ourselves and other animal industries about the changing nature of pet ownership. These regular surveys tell us about attitudes towards desexing, microchipping and reasons for acquiring an animal. This year, we have noticed a slowdown in the number of animals being adopted from centres (especially dogs) which appears similar to what is happening internationally. Prior to and during lockdown the numbers of pets being adopted from shelters or purchased through breeders/websites seemed to increase – but we are now seeing a downturn that may be a rebound but is also likely linked with changing socio-economic factors.

So, when you are thinking about your New Year resolutions – we encourage you to think of your pets and their wellbeing.

1. Consider the best way to adopt an animal and try to support animal shelters or ethical breeders.

2. Make sure your companion has permanent, registered identification and that your contact details are always kept up to date. Obviously as the country’s largest pet Database – we recommend that you have all of the microchips of you pets – dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, horses, donkeys in one place, on your NZCAR account. We have learned from the events of 2023 that we can’t afford not to have our animals permanently identifiable and traceable back to us.

3. And finally – Your life is better for the animals you have in it – so it’s worth considering what you can do to make their lives rewarding and happy. Often in our busy lives, we forget that the quality of their life experience is completely dependent upon us being well informed about their species specific behavioural, social, mental and physical needs. Companion Animals New Zealand’s Facebook site aims to provide quality information and you can of course learn more by attending the CANZ ‘Changing Lives for Companion Animals’ Conference on March 12th 2024 in Hamilton – See https://www.companionanimals.nz/conference

Have a great festive break and we look forward to working with you all in an exciting 2024.

Warmest wishes

Nat, David and Sarah

And the rest of the CANZ Board Members, CANZ Staff and of course the CANZ Animal Team!

See our Christmas message video on the link below.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1442476359955560