Inspectors

Wellington SPCA has seven Animal Welfare Inspectors whose area covers Wellington, the Hutt and Wainuiomata in the south to Otaki and Rimutaka Hill in the north. They respond to allegations of animal cruelty and neglect and have the legal power to remove animals from their owners.

Inspectors are appointed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) to enforce the Animal Welfare Act 1999. Inspectors are trained through Unitec School of Animal Health and Welfare. Their training includes planning, preparation and conducting investigations, observation, first aid to both large and small animals, emergency euthanasia, animal behaviour and transportation of small and large animals.

Inspectors must be competent and able to deal with a range of situations from aggressive animals to aggressive people, interviewing offenders, compiling evidence and presenting that evidence in a court in a clear, concise manner.

The Animal Welfare Act 1999 bestows certain powers on an Inspector where they are able to enter onto any land, premises, stationary vehicle, aircraft or ship at any reasonable time for the purposes of inspecting animals. Inspectors are able to take possession of, and maintain possession of, an animal where they have reasonable grounds to believe that an offence against the Animal Welfare Act 1999 has been committed.

Last year our Inspectors investigated around 600 incidents relating to animal cruelty and neglect. Educating owners about their responsibilities plays a large part in resolving these incidents. In cases of intentional cruelty or extreme cases of neglect, the Inspectors have the power to prosecute under the Animal Welfare Act 1999.

Wellington SPCA Humane Officer Badge.

As well as investigating complaints, our Inspectors conduct checks on pet shops, stock in transit across the Cook Strait, circuses, animals used in film, TV or advertising, animal parks and zoos. They also carry out property inspections prior to the adoption of dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs and other caged animals from Wellington SPCA.

Inspectors are also called upon to rescue sick, injured, stray or lost animals and wildlife. They attend more than 2,000 incidents of this kind each year.

Animal Welfare Inspectors work with other organisations such as the Police, Animal Control, MAF, Department of Conservation and other animal agencies and groups.

All of the Animal Welfare Inspectors' work and legal costs are entirely funded by donations from the public. We do not receive any government funding to carry out this work.