Wellington SPCA was founded in 1884 to prevent cruelty to animals in the region. The present day Animal Welfare Inspectorate investigates allegations of animal cruelty and neglect where they may remove animals from situations.

Inspectors are appointed by the Director General of MAF pursuant to the Animal Welfare Act 1999, (http://www.maf.govt.nz/biosecurity/animal-welfare/codes/index.htm), to enforce provisions of the same Act.

Inspectors undertake training through Unitec School of Animal Health and Welfare. Their training includes planning and preparation and conductin 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 agressive animals to agressive people, interviewing offenders, compiling evidence and presenting that evidence in a court in a clear consise manner.

The Animal Welfare Act bestows certain powers on an Inspector where they are able to enter onto any land, premises, stationary vehicle, aricraft and ship at any reasonable time for the purposes of inspecting an animal.

They are able to take possession of, and maintain possession of, an animal where they have reasonable grounds to believe that an offence against the Act has been committed.

Last year our Inspectors investigated around 600 incidents relating to animal cruelty and neglect. Education is our main with enforcement used as a tool should education and persuasions fail.

As well as investigating complaints, our inspectors also conduct checks on pet shops, stock in transit across the Cook Strait, circuses, animals used in film, television and advertising, as well as animal parks and zoos.

Inspectors also carry out property inspections to ensure that our animals are going to be safe and secure in their new home.

Animal Welfare Inspectors also work with other organisations such as the Police, Animal Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, (http://www.maf.govt.nz/biosecurity/animal-welfare/index.htm) Department of Conservation, www.doc.govt.nz and many other animal agencies and groups.

Our investigation, education work and legal costs are entirely donation funded. We do not receive Government funding.