SPCA New Zealand
Animal Advocacy

Position Statements

Pet shops and the online shops selling animals

SPCA supports pet shops acting as a rehoming point for shelter animals, provided the animals’ physical, health, and behavioural needs can be met. SPCA supports the rehoming of desexed, vaccinated, and microchipped animals, as appropriate to the species and individual animal.

Pet shops which only sell animal supplies or that encourage the rehoming of shelter animals can have a positive impact on the current problem of unwanted companion animals created by indiscriminate and uncontrolled breeding. Pet shops must ensure that they can continuously and adequately provide for the physical, health and behavioural needs of animals in their care.

SPCA opposes the purpose breeding of companion animals for sale in pet shops.

SPCA considers the breeding of puppies, kittens, and other animals without regard to the availability of good homes for the resulting offspring as irresponsible and opposes this practice.

SPCA opposes the “distance selling” or the acquisition of animals “unseen” through the sole use of the internet or other communication device, or by mail-order.

Websites and other media should be used responsibly when seeking to purchase an animal. Face to face contact is essential to check how an animal has been bred or cared for by the “seller”, and to assess the suitability of a “purchaser” to care for an animal and meet their needs.

Hello! Choose your nearest SPCA Centre and see content specific to your location:
Hit enter to submit