Prolonged confinement (caging) of a dog describes a situation where a dog is contained in an enclosure or cage that provides insufficient space to meet their physical, health and behavioural needs.

The prolonged confinement of dogs is an issue that our inspectors deal with daily. While it is difficult to gather accurate numbers, it is safe to say this issue impacts the lives of thousands of dogs in New Zealand.

The current legislative and regulatory framework restricts animal welfare Inspectors’ ability to intervene in many of these cases. SPCA has advocated for years for regulations to be introduced to address both prolonged tethering (also known as life chaining) and prolonged confinement. Prolonged tethering and prolonged confinement are both inappropriate ways to contain dogs.

In September 2025, new dog tethering regulations were introduced to address prolonged tethering causing suffering. Unfortunately the Government chose not to progress regulations to address prolonged confinement at the same time. This means that Inspectors continue to lack tools to effectively address prolonged confinement and some dogs released from life chaining have had their welfare further compromised by being moved to permanent housing in a cage or other enclosure.

SPCA advocates for new, directly enforceable dog confinement regulations via an amendment to the Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Regulations 2018.

Regulations which specifically target this practice are the tool missing from the tool kit. We have been working behind the scenes advocating for this legislative change which would allow inspectors to intervene earlier and take action so no dog has to live their life this way.

SPCA is now calling on the Government to commit to progressing regulations which will specifically target prolonged confinement of dogs. A solution to this issue must be advanced with urgency. We need your help to make this happen.

2026

May Met with Minster Hoggard to discuss prolonged dog confinement and dog breeding regulations.

March MPI releases summary of submissions from the 2023 consultation on dog tethering regulations: majority of submissions express disappointment that the regulations do not address prolonged confinement.

2025

August SPCA writes to Minister Hoggard regarding dog confinement regulations and irresponsible breeding.

2024

November SPCA emails Minister Hoggard to provide feedback on MPI’s proposed approach to dog tethering regulations and to reiterate calls to address prolonged confinement.

August SPCA follows up with MPI for updates on tethering, confinement, and breeding regulations. MPI responds with information on tethering only.

July SPCA sends Minister Hoggard briefing which reiterates urgency to progress dog confinement regulations.

June SPCA emails Minister Hoggard regarding his directive to NAWAC on the Companion Codes of Welfare and reiterates urgency to progress dog confinement regulations.

April SPCA follows up with MPI for updates on tethering, confinement, and breeding regulations. MPI responds with information on tethering only.

January SPCA meets with Minister Hoggard to discuss animal welfare issues, including dog tethering and confinement regulations.

2023

December SPCA welcomes Associate Minister of Animal Welfare, Andrew Hoggard, and calls for Amendment to the Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Regulations 2018 to address the issue of prolonged tethering and confinement through regulations.

December SPCA requests updates from MPI on tethering, confinement, and breeding regulations. MPOI responds with update on tethering regulations only.

September MPI hosts a stakeholder workshop to identify options to address the prolonged tethering and caging of dogs.

August 15,000 people co-signed our letter to Associate Minister of Animal Welfare, Minister Jo Luxton demanding decisive action to progress regulations for both prolonged tethering and confinement.

July SPCA requests updates from MPI on tethering, confinement, and breeder regulations; proposes regular meetings. MPI advises Ministers O’Connor and Luxton are being briefed on caging and breeding concerns.

March SPCA submits on draft dog tethering regulations, raising concerns about MPI’s decision not to progress dog confinement regulations in parallel.

2021

December SPCA submits Policy Brief to Associate Minister of Animal Welfare, Meka Whaitiri, and MPI calling for Amendment to the Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Regulations 2018 to address prolonged tethering and confinement of dogs through regulations.−

April SPCA submits to the Petition Select Committee in support of introduction of dog tethering and dog confinement regulations.

2022

August the Petition Select Committee Report recommends introducing regulations to address both prolonged tethering and confinement of dogs.

July SPCA's “Break the Chain” campaign sees more than 20,000 New Zealanders take action to call for better protections for chained and caged dogs.

2018

Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Regulations were released but the final regulations did not address prolonged tethering or confinement of dogs.