SPCA Desexes Over 24,000 Animals in FY25/26 Overpopulation Milestone

SPCA New Zealand has released its official companion animal desexing wrap for the 2025/2026 financial year, confirming that 24,025 companion animals were desexed nationwide through its dedicated community initiatives and veterinary clinic partnerships.

The annual achievement marks an increase of 21.7% over the prior twelve-month period, representing 4,289 additional surgical procedures completed. Based on statistical population modelling utilised by animal welfare organisations, the SPCA estimates that these interventions prevented approximately 86,986 unwanted animals from being born into cycles of vulnerability, neglect, or shelter surrender across New Zealand communities.

Breakdown of Key Community Desexing Programmes

The organisation detailed several targeted workstreams designed to remove financial and logistical barriers for companion animal owners, ensuring that vulnerable communities gain equitable access to reproductive care for their pets:

#### 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 allow eligible cat guardians to access desexing surgery and permanent microchip registration at a heavily discounted fixed price of $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 commencing operations in May 2026, participating clinics have completed 1,611 dog desexing procedures, surpassing 54% of the target to desex 3,000 dogs across the programme's operational timeline.

#### 3. SPCA Desexing Grants and Council Outreach Vouchers First established in 2022 to assist grassroots animal rescues with operating expenses, the SPCA Desexing Grant distributed $275,000 across 41 independent rescue organisations during the 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. Similar collaborative partnerships have expanded to include Far North District Council and Kaipara District Council to support local dog control initiatives.

#### 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, whilst updating identification records for local companion animals. The mobile unit is scheduled to deploy to further regional locations in October 2026.

Implications for New Zealand Companion Animal Owners

Spring represents the start of the seasonal breeding period across New Zealand, commonly referred to by animal rescues as "kitten season". During this period, municipal shelters and non-profit welfare centres experience severe capacity constraints, heightened intake volumes, and intensive demand on foster care networks.

Ensuring that companion animals are desexed before reaching reproductive maturity is fundamental to humane animal stewardship. Under Section 10 of the Animal Welfare Act 1999, persons in charge of companion animals must ensure their physical, health, and behavioural needs are consistently met. Desexing eliminates accidental litters, reduces aggressive roaming behaviour, and decreases territorial straying that places companion pets at risk from traffic or council impoundment.

Furthermore, combining desexing procedures with microchipping and lifetime recording on the New Zealand Companion Animal Register ensures that lost or displaced animals can be promptly reunited with their families, avoiding unnecessary shelter intake.

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
• https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1999/0142/latest/DLM50298.html