Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Encyclopedia
The Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (commonly abbreviated RNZSPCA or SPCA) is a New Zealand
charitable society who work to provide food and shelter for abandoned and neglected animals and to promote humane treatment of animals.
in 1882, inspired by the English Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
in England which formed in 1824 after the passing of the Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act 1822
and who lobbied for the Cruelty to Animals Act 1835
, this law was later replaced by the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876
, a law which the settlers bought with them during the colonisation of New Zealand. The English society received royal patronage
in 1840. The New Zealand society first formed in Dunedin, and was followed by the establishment of the Auckland and Wellington branches in 1883 and 1884 respectively. From this point onwards, smaller communities began to establish their own branch of the society. In 1933 the separate local societies joined together to form the national New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. There are now 54 individual branches across New Zealand. In 2008 the society celebrated 125 years of continued service with a march up Auckland
's Queen Street.
. The SPCA claimed that tail docking is an outdated and cosmetic practice which offers no benefits but causes unnecessary pain to the animal. The Kennel Club purported that there was no scientific evidence to support any of the SPCA's claims and that tail docking should be up to owners' preference. No decision was ever passed into law. The group has also been involved in campaigns against treatment of livestock, including Battery hens and pigs kept in pens known as "Sow stalls", a crate which a pregnant sow is kept in for up to 16 weeks unable to move or turn around. Individual branches of the group have also been involved in unofficial campaigns, not directly recognised by the national branch. A successful campaign by the Auckland arm of the organisation seen an end to rodeo
s at Auckland
's Easter
show. There has also been moves by key members of the organisation, such as Auckland SPCA chief executive Bob Kerridge, to have rodeos outlawed altogether. The group also ensure correct treatment of animals by providing disabled and elderly pet owners with a service called "Animeals on wheels" which provides food for those unable to look after their own pets, but depend on the animal for companionship. The group supports pet insurance and offers its own policies.
The SPCA also works in conjunction with the New Zealand Department of Child, Youth and Family Services
to ensure that in households where animal abuse is occurring, possible indications of child abuse
are looked into and in return where child abuse is found to be occurring, animals are looked into for possible maltreatment. The One of the family campaign was started in 2008, backed by New Zealand celebrity Norm Hewitt
, in response to research indicating that a large percentage of criminals begin abusing animals in early life.
Part of the SPCA's recurring campaign is an annual "shame" list, exemplifying the fifty worst cases of animal abuse in New Zealand. The list is designed to bring public awareness to the abuse of animals and to alert the public to the social situations and the increasing number of children involved in the mistreatment of animals.
Despite media reports to the contrary the RNZSPCA asserts that they receive no Government funding and thus rely solely on fundraising campaigns and public donations.
The SPCA also engages in partnerships with various New Zealand businesses that also generate funding for the society. For example, the popular auction website TradeMe.co.nz provides its users an option to donate money to the SPCA and the PetsForSale.co.nz website donates 10% of all of its classified listing fees to the society.
ranked the SPCA as the second most trusted charity, behind the Cancer Society.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
charitable society who work to provide food and shelter for abandoned and neglected animals and to promote humane treatment of animals.
History
The New Zealand SPCA was formed by settlers from EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in 1882, inspired by the English Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a non-profit animal welfare organization originally founded in England in 1824 to pass laws protecting carriage horses from abuse. SPCA groups are now found in many nations, where they campaign for animal welfare, assist in cruelty to animals...
in England which formed in 1824 after the passing of the Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act 1822
Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act 1822
The Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act 1822 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom with the long title "An Act to prevent the cruel and improper Treatment of Cattle"; it is sometimes known as Martin's Act, after the MP and animal rights campaigner Richard Martin. It was one of the first...
and who lobbied for the Cruelty to Animals Act 1835
Cruelty to Animals Act 1835
The Cruelty to Animals Act 1835 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom , which was intended to protect animals from mistreatment....
, this law was later replaced by the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876
Cruelty to Animals Act 1876
The Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 was an Act passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom which set limits on the practice of, and instituted a licensing system for animal experimentation, amending the Cruelty to Animals Act 1849...
, a law which the settlers bought with them during the colonisation of New Zealand. The English society received royal patronage
Royal patronage
Royal patronage may refer to*Royal patronage in arts, commerce, etc.*Patronato real*Padroado...
in 1840. The New Zealand society first formed in Dunedin, and was followed by the establishment of the Auckland and Wellington branches in 1883 and 1884 respectively. From this point onwards, smaller communities began to establish their own branch of the society. In 1933 the separate local societies joined together to form the national New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. There are now 54 individual branches across New Zealand. In 2008 the society celebrated 125 years of continued service with a march up Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
's Queen Street.
Campaigns
The RNZSPCA and its sub-branches have initiated numerous campaigns in relation to animal welfare, usually in relation to education about humane treatment and to encourage changes in behaviour, however past campaigns have also been politically motivated with the aim of pushing through law changes or questioning the legality of certain practices. The charity group has, in the past, helped to lead campaigns against tail docking of dogs together with the New Zealand Veterinary Association and in opposition with the New Zealand Kennel ClubNew Zealand Kennel Club
The New Zealand Kennel Club is the primary kennel club responsible for dog pedigree registration services in New Zealand. They also provide training services, judging for dog shows and many other services relating to dog showing. The organisation was introduced in 1886, it is also a full member of...
. The SPCA claimed that tail docking is an outdated and cosmetic practice which offers no benefits but causes unnecessary pain to the animal. The Kennel Club purported that there was no scientific evidence to support any of the SPCA's claims and that tail docking should be up to owners' preference. No decision was ever passed into law. The group has also been involved in campaigns against treatment of livestock, including Battery hens and pigs kept in pens known as "Sow stalls", a crate which a pregnant sow is kept in for up to 16 weeks unable to move or turn around. Individual branches of the group have also been involved in unofficial campaigns, not directly recognised by the national branch. A successful campaign by the Auckland arm of the organisation seen an end to rodeo
Rodeo
Rodeo is a competitive sport which arose out of the working practices of cattle herding in Spain, Mexico, and later the United States, Canada, South America and Australia. It was based on the skills required of the working vaqueros and later, cowboys, in what today is the western United States,...
s at Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
's Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
show. There has also been moves by key members of the organisation, such as Auckland SPCA chief executive Bob Kerridge, to have rodeos outlawed altogether. The group also ensure correct treatment of animals by providing disabled and elderly pet owners with a service called "Animeals on wheels" which provides food for those unable to look after their own pets, but depend on the animal for companionship. The group supports pet insurance and offers its own policies.
The SPCA also works in conjunction with the New Zealand Department of Child, Youth and Family Services
New Zealand Department of Child, Youth and Family Services
Child, Youth and Family "CYF" , is the government agency that has legal powers to intervene to protect and help children who are being abused or neglected or who have problem behaviour. CYF works with the Police and the Courts in dealing with young offenders under the youth justice system...
to ensure that in households where animal abuse is occurring, possible indications of child abuse
Child abuse
Child abuse is the physical, sexual, emotional mistreatment, or neglect of a child. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Children And Families define child maltreatment as any act or series of acts of commission or omission by a parent or...
are looked into and in return where child abuse is found to be occurring, animals are looked into for possible maltreatment. The One of the family campaign was started in 2008, backed by New Zealand celebrity Norm Hewitt
Norm Hewitt
Norman "Norm" Hewitt is a former New Zealand All Black Rugby Union Player. He was selected for the New Zealand team because of his fantastic performance in Hawkes Bay's surprise victory over the British Lions in 1993...
, in response to research indicating that a large percentage of criminals begin abusing animals in early life.
Part of the SPCA's recurring campaign is an annual "shame" list, exemplifying the fifty worst cases of animal abuse in New Zealand. The list is designed to bring public awareness to the abuse of animals and to alert the public to the social situations and the increasing number of children involved in the mistreatment of animals.
Despite media reports to the contrary the RNZSPCA asserts that they receive no Government funding and thus rely solely on fundraising campaigns and public donations.
Funding
The SPCA receives no automatic Government funding from the New Zealand Government, relying primarily on public donations, however has been given Government funding in desperate situations, such as during droughts. Fines as the result of prosecutions related to animal welfare abuse are often directed to be paid to the SPCA and the society often seek the cost of food and veterinary bills from offenders during legal proceedings.The SPCA also engages in partnerships with various New Zealand businesses that also generate funding for the society. For example, the popular auction website TradeMe.co.nz provides its users an option to donate money to the SPCA and the PetsForSale.co.nz website donates 10% of all of its classified listing fees to the society.
Public reaction
The SPCA was criticised for a 2006 advertising campaign in which signs proclaiming that a sexual offender had moved into the area were posted around Auckland streets, the signs detailed that the offender had "violated females as young as 5-months old and is likely to re-offend" and gave a description of them as having grey hair and of wearing a silver medallion. The bottom of the signs read "Stop the kitty-fiddling" and encouraged pet owners to desex their pets, opponents to the campaign accused it of being in poor taste. The results of a survey published in the 2007 Reader's DigestReader's Digest
Reader's Digest is a general interest family magazine, published ten times annually. Formerly based in Chappaqua, New York, its headquarters is now in New York City. It was founded in 1922, by DeWitt Wallace and Lila Bell Wallace...
ranked the SPCA as the second most trusted charity, behind the Cancer Society.