Prolonged confinement of dogs is a significant animal welfare issue in New Zealand. Prolonged confinement can lead to ongoing welfare harms due to the dog’s inability to express normal patterns of behaviour, including exercise, socialisation and threat avoidance. Dogs who have experienced prolonged confinement may develop behavioural problems including abnormal repetitive behaviours, reactivity and generalised anxiety.

The current legislative and regulatory framework restricts the ability of animal welfare inspectors to intervene in cases of prolonged confinement of dogs, where the dog has access to food, water and shelter and there are no obvious signs of injuries or other physical harm. Regulations are directly enforceable meaning a regulation that focuses on prolonged confinement of dogs, would allow inspectors to intervene more effectively.

Prolonged confinement are distinct from intermittent or occasional confinement. For example, working dogs are often intermittently kept in kennels between periods of exercise, and some dog owners who may not have the resources to provide a securely fenced area instead may choose to use a kennel for periods of the day.

SPCA advocates for animals to be provided with a properly fenced area which allows them to have a Good Life where they experience positive welfare and their physical, health, and behavioural needs are met.

Animals should be provided with a properly fenced area which allows them: adequate space to move around and express normal behaviours, the ability to interact with other animals where appropriate, suitable shelter from all conditions, and access to adequate food and clean water.

Our organisation acknowledges the short term confinement may be used as part of veterinary or care procedures.

Dogs may need to be confined as part of recovery from an injury or procedure.