SPCA New Zealand

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Animal Advocacy

Position Statements

Breed Shows

SPCA advocates for human and animal interactions that promote a Good Life where the animal experiences positive welfare and where the physical, health, and behavioural needs of animals are met before, during, and after the show.

SPCA encourages people to have positive interactions with animals to help them develop an understanding of and empathy for all animals.

Animal breeders must maintain responsibility for all the animals that they breed and ensure they have a Good Life, whether or not they are shown.

SPCA opposes the use of animals for entertainment, exhibition, show or performance where they experience pain, fear or distress.

Those responsible for the animals must meet their welfare needs during all aspects of attending shows, ensuring that they do not suffer any pain or distress during preparation, transportation and during their attendance. Owners, handlers and show organisers are responsible for the health and welfare of the animals and must take steps to actively prevent the spread of disease.

Animal shows must provide animals with the choice of interacting with people and the animals should be able to access a suitable and quiet environment with sufficient shelter away from the public. Animals must have access to water and feed as needed and be provided with suitable shelter and an environment allowing them to express their natural behaviour.

Animals must be appropriately contained and transported in ways that prevent injury, distress, or thermal stress. Journeys must be planned, and kept to the shortest duration possible. Animals must be fit to travel, checked regularly, must be handled humanely and have access to water and feed as needed. Animals who are unwell must not be transported to or participate in shows.

SPCA opposes the withholding or restricting of food and water to show animals, unless specifically advised to do so by a veterinarian for therapeutic reasons.

SPCA opposes invasive procedures which are carried out for aesthetic purposes, or to overcome the adverse effects of selective breeding or a poor production system.

SPCA opposes medical procedures that are carried out for cosmetic purposes, with no benefit to the animal concerned.

SPCA is opposed to breeding practices that lead to extreme physical characteristics, welfare compromise, or unwanted animals.

SPCA opposes invasive procedures such as dubbing (removal of the comb, wattles and earlobes) or tail docking, unless carried out by a veterinarian for therapeutic reasons and where adequate and appropriate medical care is given before, during, and after the procedure including analgesic and anaesthetic.

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