Animal Welfare

p style="margin-top: 0;">Animals, like us, are living, breathing, feeling creatures. They experience pain and happiness, just as we do, and yet we treat them as an expendable resource, often without the compassion or respect we would give other human beings. As the philosopher Immanuel Kant said, "We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." What can you do to make sure New Zealand animal welfare is alive and well? What do animal rights activists believe? Read on for more information on New Zealand animal rights and animal welfare.

Key animal welfare beliefs

1. Animals should be treated with compassion and respect

2. Animals should be allowed to carry out natural forms of behaviour

3. Animals should not be made to suffer

4. Society must address ethical issues regarding the treatment of animals

5. Animal experimentation must meet a requirement of absolute necessity

What are animals used for?
For centuries, animals have been used by humans for food, recreation, research and entertainment. Human welfare is thriving, while many animals live a life that is short and miserable. While animals have the right to live a life free from harm, many lead lives in captivity that are far from normal for their species. Battery hens are kept in small cages, with a space less than the size of an A4 piece of paper to call their own. Their wings are clipped and their claws cut to prevent them flapping and scratching other hens. Sow crate pigs are similarly confined, in a space so small they cannot move. Antibiotics are used in the raising of farm animals. These are just a few examples of animal welfare violations.

What can I do to support animal welfare in New Zealand?
The situation can seem hopeless and impossible to change, but individual change is the best place to start. By setting an example to others, you can create change, and if enough people take personal action, organisations and government forces will begin to take notice.

• Buy organic and free range food products, and avoid buying factory farmed products or foods which contain those ingredients. Enquire whether shops stock organic or free range options, and let them know you won't buy factory farmed. This will encourage manufacturers and retailers to change their practices.
• Eat a vegetarian or vegan diet to take a stand against the cruel treatment of animals and the exploitation of animals as a food source. Make sure you research how to be a healthy vegetarian. Do this and you will be making a positive difference to the lives of farmed animals.
• Write letters to those practicing factory farming and animal testing. Let them know their practice isn't supported and tell them your view on the treatment of animals. If more people do this, they will be encouraged to change.
• Join your local animal welfare organisation and become actively involved in animal welfare campaigns. Organisations such as SAFE (Save Animals From Exploutation) and the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) are always appreciative of donations and volunteer support. Their sites will keep you up to date with campaigns and animal welfare issues in New Zealand and around the world. If there are no animal welfare groups in your area, why not start your own and advertise for interested people?
• Write to your local MP, asking them to support animal welfare. You can freepost letters to MP's at Parliament or email using the address format: firstname.lastname@parliament.govt.nz
• Vote for parties and politicians who support animal welfare causes in New Zealand. The Green Party supports the fair and compassionate treatment of animals in New Zealand.

NZ animal welfare organisations
There are several large New Zealand animal rights organisations, operating as part of worldwide networks. There are also small, local groups that meet to discuss animal welfare issues and get involved in local and international campaigns. Make a difference by joining or donating to one of these organisations:

• SPCA: The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a voluntary organisation with district branches throughout New Zealand. They provide help to unwanted animals 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• WSPA: The World Society for the Protection of Animals aims to raise the standard of animal welfare around the world. They are involved in direct action against cruelty, animal rescue and animal welfare education.
• SAFE: Save Animals From Exploitation focuses on the ethics and treatment of animals in New Zealand, encouraging debate and social change, and playing an active role in campaigns.

Animal welfare law in New Zealand
In New Zealand, organisations that want to use animals for research, testing or education are required to adhere to a code of ethical practice approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF). Any organisation or institution that has an approved code of conduct must also have an animal ethics committee, with at least three members who do not work for the organisation. Codes of animal welfare have been developed by New Zealand animal welfare groups to ensure the humane treatment of animals for scientific use. Under the Animal Welfare Act 1999:

• All animals must be treated ethically, including farm animals, pets, wild animals and those used in scientific testing or research. Animals must receive adequate food, water and shelter. They must show normal patterns of behaviour and not be subjected to unnecessary or unreasonable pain or distress. Any significant injury or disease must be prevented or rapidly diagnosed.
• Certain animal testing is regulated, including testing on all animals with backbones (cows, sheep, horses, pigs, dogs, cats, mice, chickens, lizards, frogs and fish), octopi, squid, crabs, lobsters and crayfish.
• Non-human hominids are not allowed to be used in research, testing or education, except with the approval of the Director-General of MAF. These are: chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas and orangutans.
• Animals such as insects, spiders, shellfish and worms are not covered, as scientific research has concluded they do not feel pain.
• Animals are not protected in the first half of their gestation period, ie. A cow fetus can be tested on in the first few months of its development.

Organisations are encouraged to reduce the number of animals used in experiments; refine the ways animals are used in experiments, to reduce suffering; and replace the use of animals with substitutes wherever possible. If animal welfare in New Zealand is something you care about, make sure your voice is heard - speak out against animal testing and cruel practices against animals.

Looking for more information? Find New Zealand animal welfare organisations in the NZS.com directory.

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Lifestyle images from Flickr: Purple Flowers, Yoga and Wine.