The Royals

THE ROYALS

RNZSPCAThe Royal New Zealand Society for the

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

FULFILLING OUR VISION – PREVENTION OF

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

Engaging the community in three initiatives that keep on

giving

The Royal New Zealand SPCA

Largest and most influential animal welfare organisation – over government and veterinary organisations

Nationwide reach – national organisation (The Royal), 47 centres, 100 animal welfare inspectors

60,000 animals sheltered annually, 11,000 animal welfare complaints

Second most trusted charity in New Zealand

Challenges Pet overpopulation – immediate crisis! Community engagement – protecting

animals in their homes Future proofing – attitudes to animals

THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS THAT YOU ALWAYS KNOW THE RIGHT THING TO DO. THE HARD PART IS DOING IT.”NORMAN SCHWARZKOPF

Three major initiatives Nationwide free de-sexing

Animals involved in family/human violence

Education – reaching and teaching future generations

Too many cats, ‘dangerous’ dogs

Low income families do not/cannot de-sex their pets

Easy come – easy go

Ultimately SPCA has to ‘clean up’ either retroactively or proactively

National De sexing Initiative – RNZSPCA ‘on the move’

De-sexing 5,000 animals per year

Assists the 47 regional SPCA Centres

Forming community alliances

Mobile De-sexing Clinic Custom built clinic

Dedicated veterinary team

Attracts national and local funding

RECOGNISING THE ‘LINK’• International research confirms the

co–occurrence of violence to animals and human violence

• Animal abuse is a recognised ‘predictor’ for a range of violence from domestic violence to serial murder

• Empathy for animals can form the basis for humane social behaviour

Pets as Pawns Animals in domestic violence – the

most vulnerable victims New Zealand research shows

women and children stay longer in life threatening circumstances if animals are at risk

Women’s Refuge and SPCA can work together to better protect victims

COMMUNITY ALLIANCES

• Schools• Police• First Strike• Veterinarians• Child, Youth and Family

Agency• Women’s Refuge

WOMEN’S REFUGE AND SPCASome immediate solutions:• MOU to define roles and responsibilities • Education and awareness for both

organisations• Alliances between local centres• SPCA HELP fund to enable SPCAs to

fund boarding and vet fees for animal victims

FUTURE PROOFING

The Education X Factor

TALKING TO BOYS• Social conscience begins to

develop at 10 – 12 years• Teaching empathy for animals

can encourage empathy for humans

• Research shows that many boys need a ‘hero’ to model empathy

A boy needs a hero

One of the FamilyOur commitment to the next

generation

MEEEEOOOOOWWWW(Thank you)