SPCA Launches Cheeky ‘Have a Dog Instead’ Adoption Campaign

SPCA has launched a dog adoption campaign called "Have a Dog Instead", using humour to encourage New Zealanders to consider welcoming a rescue dog into their homes this spring.

The campaign plays on relatable moments when people question their life choices. SPCA Chief Executive Officer Todd Westwood said: "All of us have had moments where we have questioned our life choices – be it the expensive toy that didn't make us as happy as we thought; that fitness trend that was more pain than gain; or that situation when the kids were just a little too much."

Westwood described the approach as a little different to any of SPCA's previous adoption campaigns. He said SPCA hopes people can relate and will get the humour, and that if a bit of cheekiness helps spotlight the dogs in its care and gets them into forever families, the campaign will have done its job.

Why now

The timing is operational as well as seasonal. SPCA said that with kitten season beginning this spring and summer, its centres expect more animals to arrive, and its teams need to be ready to manage that influx. Rehoming dogs now helps create the additional capacity centres will need over the coming months.

Before you adopt

Adopting a dog brings legal obligations as well as companionship. Tauranga City Council's guide for dog owners, for example, reminds owners that a dog must be registered by three months of age and microchipped within two months of being registered, kept under effective control at all times, and kept securely fenced on your property.

Prospective adopters can plan ahead with our guides to the cost of owning a dog in New Zealand and dog registration requirements across New Zealand. Dogs currently available for adoption can be viewed through SPCA.

Sources

• https://www.spca.nz/news-and-events/news-article/have-a-dog-instead-launch
• https://www.tauranga.govt.nz/services/animals/owning-a-dog/dog-owner-obligations