SPCA Desexed 24,025 Animals in FY25/26, Up 21.7%

SPCA New Zealand has released its official companion animal desexing wrap for the 2025/2026 financial year, confirming that SPCA desexed a total of 24,025 animals over the year.

The annual achievement marks an increase of 21.7% over the prior twelve-month period, representing 4,289 additional surgical procedures completed. SPCA estimates this prevented about 86,986 unwanted animals from being born.

Breakdown of Key Community Desexing Programmes

The organisation detailed several initiatives that help people overcome barriers to desexing, including cost and accessibility:

#### 1. Snip 'n' Chip Regional Campaigns A total of 8,768 domestic cats were desexed across 14 regional Snip 'n' Chip campaigns throughout New Zealand, preventing an estimated 35,000 unwanted kittens. These regional drives let cat owners get their cat desexed and microchipped for a heavily discounted $30.

The regional initiatives covered communities across Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Taranaki, Taupō, Bay of Plenty, Napier, Hastings, Palmerston North, Wellington, Tasman, Marlborough, Christchurch, Waihi, Ōpōtiki, and the Southern region. In Auckland, the campaign received funding support from Auckland Council and six Local Boards, focusing resources on residential communities situated adjacent to sensitive native wildlife habitats.

#### 2. Targeted Roaming Dog Desexing Programme Across Auckland and Northland, a targeted 12-month dog desexing initiative was launched following elevated numbers of roaming dogs and community incidents. The initiative represents a joint investment of nearly $1.2 million, combining an allocation of nearly $500,000 from the Lottery Minister’s Discretionary Fund alongside $700,000 contributed directly by the SPCA.

The programme coordinates with regional veterinary providers—including TopVets, Far North Vets, Mog and Dog Desexing Clinic, Māngere Veterinary Clinic, Lynfield Vets, Piano Hill Vets, and Vet Trust Henderson. Since May, participating clinics have desexed 1,611 dogs — more than half of the programme's 3,000-dog target.

#### 3. SPCA Desexing Grants and Council Outreach Vouchers Set up in 2022 to fund other rescue groups' desexing projects, the SPCA Desexing Grant awarded 41 grants totalling $275,000 last year. This funding enabled the desexing of 1,567 animals, preventing an estimated 5,599 unwanted births.

Complementing direct grants, SPCA Outreach Vouchers were distributed to external rescue organisations and municipal animal management units. Collaborations with Auckland Council Animal Management facilitated the desexing of 298 dogs, averting an estimated 745 unwanted puppies. Far North District Council and Kaipara District Council have since also worked with SPCA and received Outreach Vouchers.

#### 4. SPCA Mobile Desexing Clinic Deployments The SPCA Mobile Desexing Clinic, known colloquially as "Snippy", provided direct surgical services to isolated communities with limited veterinary infrastructure. During a four-day deployment to Reefton on the West Coast, the mobile clinical team desexed 28 cats and 11 dogs. SPCA says the mobile unit will be back on the road in October.

Implications for New Zealand Companion Animal Owners

SPCA recommends desexing companion animals before they reach reproductive maturity. Among the benefits it lists are less roaming (making pets less likely to be hit by a car), less fighting and aggression, and less urine marking.

A microchip is a permanent identifier, and registering it on the NZ Companion Animal Register lets its approved agents scan a found pet, search the register and contact the owner.

Pet guardians seeking financial assistance or exploring community subsidies can review our comprehensive guides on low-cost vet care options and the true annual cost of owning a cat in New Zealand.

Sources

• https://www.spca.nz/news-and-events/news-article/spca-desexing-wrap-fy25-26
• https://desexing.spca.nz/desexing-faq
• https://www.animalregister.co.nz/about-microchipping