The 2023-24 year marked the launch of the "A Good Life Centre," a significant milestone that represents a strategic evolution for CANZ. The Centre, officially introduced during our successful March 2024 conference, underscores our commitment to positive animal welfare. By combining research with practical information, A Good Life Centre aims to define and promote what a Good Life looks like for companion animals in New Zealand. It will then seek to empower animal guardians across New Zealand to provide optimal care and enhance the well-being of their beloved pets. 

This initiative is a testament to our dedication to long-term welfare outcomes, moving beyond supporting responsible pet ownership initiatives to actively shape better lives for pets through education, advocacy, and collaboration.

The New Zealand Companion Animal Register (NZCAR) continues to be the leading national database for animals’ microchip registrations, having successfully connected over 1.3 million pets with their guardians.  

Thanks to partnerships with nearly every veterinary clinic, the SPCA, animal rescues, and more, the NZCAR is well connected to all facets of animal welfare organisations nationally . Despite facing challenges like a decline in pet registrations due to economic and post-COVID factors, the organisation remains focused on ensuring that every companion animal is registered and protected. 

EQuiChip ® is a community initiative consisting of events where horse owners can come together to have their horses microchipped and registered on a national database. The objective is to enhance equine welfare through enabling positive identification of horses throughout New Zealand. Founded by Companion Animals New Zealand in 2023 after Cyclone Gabrielle, the initiative started in Hawke’s Bay and the Wairarapa, where more than 200 horses were microchipped and registered across four microchip days. The weather disasters of last year highlighted the importance of identifying all companion animals, including horses, to safeguard against being lost or stolen, and to prepare for emergencies and biosecurity threats. The 2024 events are now underway!

Our conference, which brought together over 120 animal welfare experts, was a highlight of the year. It provided a platform for discussing the changing world and its impact on pets, covering themes like climate change, societal shifts, and how to ensure a Good Life for companion animals in these evolving conditions. The event featured esteemed speakers and culminated in the Assisi Awards, celebrating individuals who have made significant contributions to animal welfare.

CANZ has made strides in accrediting animal behavior professionals who meet high standards for humane training and ongoing professional development. This accreditation provides pet owners with confidence in the quality of care their animals receive, addressing the need for regulation in an otherwise unregulated industry. Currently, we are holding a webinar series with some of these experts – free to the public.