The Power of Kindness: SPCA’s Impact on Aotearoa New Zealand

That’s almost $1 billion in environmental, economic and social benefit to Aotearoa New Zealand each year, generated through kindness, prevention, and care by SPCA.

Every year, around 16,000 animals find loving homes through SPCA adoption. These animals don’t just change lives - they improve them.

• Independent research shows that animal companionship boosts mental health, reduces loneliness, and increases physical activity.
• The study valued the wellbeing benefit of SPCA adoptions at $350 million a year - our single largest measurable contribution to society.
• On average, each adopted companion animal provides 14.7 years of comfort, purpose, and connection for the person or family who welcomes them home

Every adoption prevents suffering and brings immeasurable joy, for both humans and animals.

SPCA’s Inspectorate is a cornerstone of compassion and justice. Each year our Animal Inspectors respond to around 25,000 reports of suspected cruelty or neglect. Their work stops suffering and helps to reduce violence in homes.

• By investigating cruelty and rescuing animals in distress, SPCA prevents an estimated $277 million in harm to animals annually.
• In about 10% of animal abuse cases, SPCA intervention also prevents family violence or child harm, valued at $51.7 million in avoided social cost.

Beyond statistics, every call answered, and every animal rescued makes Aotearoa New Zealand a kinder place.

SPCA’s Education Programme reaches nearly half of New Zealand primary schools, giving teachers free classroom curriculum resources that inspire tamariki/children to care for animals and each other.

• Over 300,000 SPCA Storybooks are now in classrooms and homes, sparking conversations about empathy and responsibility.
• Teachers report that SPCA lessons lead to reduced bullying, improved social behaviour, and greater respect for living beings.
• Humane education and public awareness programmes create long-term change, reducing cruelty and building empathy in future generations. The value of this impact is $35 million, with benefits lasting decades

The long-term effect is a more compassionate generation - one less likely to harm animals or people.

Humane education is where prevention begins.

Each year SPCA desexes around 33,000 animals, stopping an estimated 136,000 unwanted births and saving countless lives.

• The social value of this work including reduced stray populations and less cruelty is estimated at $111.7 million annually.
• SPCA’s desexing programmes also protect biodiversity, preventing millions of predation events on native birds, lizards, and insects - valued at $9.6 million in environmental benefit.
• Desexing dogs lowers aggression and reduces bite injuries, saving an additional $1.4 million in health costs and human trauma each year

This is prevention in its purest form - stopping suffering before it begins.

More than 4,000 volunteers and 3,400 foster carers give their time, love, and energy to SPCA. Their contribution is priceless, but the report found it also creates measurable value. Volunteer experience, confidence, and connection translate into $137.3 million in long-term social and employment benefit.

• SPCA fosters inclusivity: 25% of volunteers are migrants and 20% are people with disabilities or neurodiversity, gaining work experience, community, and belonging.
• Each year, volunteers and foster carers contribute the equivalent of $29.7 million in unpaid time - a gift that keeps SPCA’s doors open for animals in need

Their compassion builds stronger communities and a kinder country.

SPCA’s 85 Op Shops are more than stores - they’re social and environmental powerhouses.

• Every purchase supports animal welfare while saving customers money, creating $8.6 million in community value through affordable goods.
• Each shop diverts about 34 tonnes of textiles from landfill every year, saving an estimated $0.9 million in waste and emissions costs.
• Free animal food donated through Pet Pantries in SPCAs supermarket partners and distributed into communities by SPCA adds another $5.3 million in value - keeping families together during financial hardship

Every dollar spent or donated in an SPCA Op Shop goes twice as far - helping animals and protecting our planet.

SPCA’s annual operating budget is around $65 million - funded by merchandise sales, adoptions, donors, bequests, events, partnerships, grants and Op shop sales. When volunteer time is included, the total cost of running our national service is $94 million.

Against this, the social return is enormous:

Every $1 invested in SPCA delivers $10.50 in measurable social value.

That means your donation has ten times the impact you might expect - not just saving animals, but improving lives, communities, and our shared environment.

The full report also highlights wider, unquantified benefits:

• Emergency response during floods, fires, and disasters - helping families and their animals stay safe.
• Support for people in crisis including survivors of family violence, those experiencing homelessness, and those in medical emergencies.
• Advocacy and policy reform, ensuring animals across Aotearoa New Zealand are better protected under the law.
• Leadership in humane education, creating lasting generational change toward empathy and kindness

This report proves it: your kindness creates measurable change.

When you donate to SPCA, you’re not just helping animals - you’re creating safer families, stronger communities, and a better Aotearoa New Zealand for all living beings.