Reuniting pets with families

We are helping to reunite pets and owners DAILY, with pets more than 3x more likely to be found if microchipped and registered on our NZ Companion Animal Register (NZCAR). More than 1.3 million companion animals are registered and we hope to increase this to all pets in New Zealand! All funds from the NZCAR go back to CANZ and we invest in various animal welfare charities, in research and in other projects to support responsible companion animal guardianship in New Zealand.

Desexing and microchipping funds

We donate money via an independent trust (NZCAT) to provide rescue groups with vital desexing and microchipping funds. The Companion Animals Trust is dedicated to supporting projects beneficial to the community, those that provide care and protection to companion animals and projects that directly improve companion animal welfare and urban animal management.

emergency support

We have representation in MPI’s Animal Welfare Emergency Group, which helps to coordinate animal welfare services in emergencies (like earthquakes and floods), ensure planning is in place and maintain the Government’s reporting and advisory capability on animal welfare in an emergency. We had an in-person presence following Cyclone Gabrielle,

Webinars and content

We provide people access to experts via engagement programmes, like online webinars, to help lift the level of understanding around pet behaviour and what it means for them to live a Good Life. We also create content and informative articles for pet owners to improve their care levels.

equichip

Founded by Companion Animals New Zealand in 2023 after Cyclone Gabrielle, EQuiChip 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 prepare for emergencies and biosecurity threats. We continue to promote these community engagement events to create groundswell for horse microchipping

Bylaws and submissions

We continue to advise on issues impaction companion animal welfare within New Zealand, such as local and regional government bylaws and topical issues like the rehoming of retired greyhounds. We continue to speak about the difficulties of pets in a rental housing market to stakeholders and the media and we advocate for the continual update of Companion Animal Codes of Welfare.

Conferences

We bring pets to the forefront nationally through renowned conferences and political awareness. Companion Animals New Zealand Conferences have been held since 1990 throughout New Zealand, including in: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Rotorua, Hamilton, Palmerston North and Nelson. On 12 March 2024, 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.

research, publications and change programmes

We initiate, and take part in, robust research and collaborations locally and internationally, across species, to create evidence-based information and change programmes. Companion Animals NZ has produced several publications on companion animal welfare published in peer reviewed journals. Check these out in the publications section of our website.

Accreditation

In New Zealand, animal behaviour is an unregulated industry. CANZ accreditation has been developed by Companion Animals New Zealand along with animal industry stakeholders to regulate the companion animal behaviour and training industry to ensure practices are ethical and sustainable. These professionals undergo a robust assessment process to gain accreditation.

recognising excellence

Every two years, Companion Animals New Zealand presents its Assisi Awards in "recognition of outstanding service to animals" to individuals who have contributed to the welfare of animals, whether in New Zealand or internationally.

We also hold Te Tohu Maimoa, which recognises the contribution of people involved in the well-being of Companion Animals in New Zealand. The awards are held twice a year (except in Assisi award years) and nominations focus on achievements in the previous 6 months.