Electroimmobilisation is a technique using low-voltage electricity to temporarily paralyse animals, usually cattle. Electroimmobilisation devices are aversive to animals. They leave the animal conscious but do not provide any analgesic (painkilling) effect, preventing them from appropriately responding to pain and distress.

The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) recommended in 2025 that a regulation should be developed to prohibit the use of all electroimmobilisation devices, and that this should come into force without a transition period. SPCA advocates for the Ministry for Primary Industries to progress the development of this regulation as soon as possible.

SPCA opposes the use of electroimmobilisation devices in animals and advocates for the use of restraining methods that are humane.

SPCA considers that the use of electroimmobilisation is unjustifiable and prone to abuse – for example, by reducing the motivation for farmers to provide pain relief during painful procedures.

All animal handlers should be experienced and competent in low-stress, force-free handling, and appropriate restraint techniques and should understand the behaviours and needs of the animals in their care to remove the need to use such devices.