Why Pet Ownership Is Changing — And What It Means for Your Pet

As someone learning about New Zealand from abroad, I’ve been amazed by how deeply Kiwis love their pets. According to the 2024 Companion Animals NZ (CANZ) Pet Data Report, 63% of households in New Zealand own at least one pet. That’s a powerful reminder of the role pets play in daily life — not just as animals, but as family.

Newflands, a pet wellness company based in New Zealand, is one of the organisations helping make pet care more accessible and sustainable across the country. Their approach to supporting pet families — through both products and advocacy — is something worth learning from globally.

Understanding Pet Ownership in New Zealand

• Cats are the most common pets, found in around 40% of Kiwi homes (that’s about 1.26 million cats).

• Dogs follow at 31%, with a slight decline from 34% in 2020.

• Households with children are more likely to have pets (66–71%) compared to those without (60%).

• Pet ownership is lower in Auckland and drops notably among those over 65.

What’s most inspiring is that 60% of non-pet owners say they would like a pet in the future. This shows how strong the emotional connection to animals is — even when owning one isn’t currently possible.

The Barriers Kiwis Face in Pet Ownership

Around 440,000 New Zealand households want a pet but can’t have one. The main reasons include:

• Cost of care and supplies

• Time constraints

• Housing restrictions (especially rental properties)

Newflands addresses these challenges with:

• Affordable and natural health supplements

• Convenient products for busy lifestyles

• Partnerships and advocacy for pet-friendly housing

It’s a model that offers lessons for other countries: meeting people where they are and helping them care for pets more sustainably.

Why Many Kiwis Still Choose Breeders — and Why That Can Be Okay

The CANZ report shows many New Zealanders acquire dogs from breeders or private sellers, rather than rescues. While that can raise eyebrows, there’s a more complex story here.

Many reputable breeders in New Zealand:

• Provide health-tested, well-socialised puppies

• Offer lifetime support and rehoming assistance

• Ensure dogs are never left behind if circumstances change

This level of support gives families peace of mind — something not all rescues, due to limited resources, can provide. And that matters.

Meanwhile, rescues do extraordinary work under immense pressure, caring for abandoned or mistreated animals and finding them homes. Both pathways — when done ethically — lead to responsible pet ownership.

Just like every family is different, so are pets, and that’s why Newflands supports ethical breeders and rescues equally.

A Sobering Statistic: Thousands of Dogs Euthanised in Auckland

Not all animals are lucky enough to find a home.

In 2023–24, more than 4,000 dogs were euthanised in Auckland’s council pounds — about 11 every day. That’s a 3.5× increase compared to three years ago.

• Nearly half of all impounded dogs were euthanised.

• Post-pandemic issues like reduced desexing and behavioural problems are big factors.

This heartbreaking reality shows the urgent need for education, responsible ownership, and improved shelter resources — something Newflands actively supports through donations, awareness campaigns, and partnerships.

A Culture of Care: The Good News

One cultural difference that often surprises newcomers to New Zealand is how restricted dogs can be in public spaces. Unlike some countries where dogs are welcome in cafes, on public transport, or even in national parks, New Zealand’s rules are more conservation-focused:

• Dogs are not allowed in national parks and many walking trails to protect native flora and fauna.

• Access to farms, beaches, and cafes is often limited or requires prior approval.

• Dogs must be on a leash at all times in public, unless in designated off-leash parks.

These rules exist to protect New Zealand’s unique and vulnerable wildlife, especially ground-dwelling birds like the kiwi. For new pet owners arriving from overseas, this can be surprising — but it reflects the country’s strong emphasis on conservation and responsible environmental stewardship.

Despite the challenges, New Zealand’s pet community is doing a lot right:

• 96% of cats and 85% of dogs are desexed

• Microchipping is common, with 72% of cats and 89% of dogs registered

Newflands contributes to this culture by offering:

• Trusted, vet-approved supplements

• Educational resources for new pet owners

• Support for rescues and rehoming groups

Newflands’ Role in the Global Pet Wellness Conversation

Newflands is more than a pet product company — it’s a voice for responsible ownership and a partner to both breeders and shelters.

Their products are designed to improve pets’ lives naturally and sustainably, with a strong emphasis on New Zealand-sourced ingredients like Hoki fish oil. They also champion animal welfare through partnerships, education, and advocacy.

For those of us overseas, Newflands shows what it looks like to build a pet business with heart.

🌐 Discover more at www.newflands.com

Want to Learn More About Pet Care in NZ?

Download Newflands’ free guide: "The New Zealand Pet Owner’s Guide"

This practical resource includes:

• ✅ Tips for renting with pets in New Zealand

• ✅ Budget-friendly nutrition and care strategies

• ✅ Cultural rules for pets (including leash laws and national park restrictions)

• ✅ A curated list of ethical rescues and pounds by region:

  • Northland: Bay of Islands Animal Rescue

  • Auckland: Saving Hope, Pet Refuge, South Auckland Animal Rescue, ARAN, German Shepherd Rescue, and more

  • Waikato/Wellington/Bay of Plenty: via Friends With Tales directory

  • Christchurch: Bull Breed Rescue, Dogwatch

  • Otago/Southland: Furever Homes, Pound Paws, SPCA Dunedin

  • SPCA Network: 30+ shelters across NZ

  • Pound Contacts: Auckland Council Animal Management, Rotorua, Whanganui, and more

Whether you're adopting, fostering, or just learning what it takes to be a great Kiwi pet parent, this guide is here to help. If you're part of a rescue organisation or council pound not listed here, please reach out — we'd love to include you in future updates and help raise awareness of your important work.

➡️ Download the Free Guide Now and join the Newflands community.

#PetCareGlobally #NewflandsSupports #AdoptOrShopResponsibly #PetsOfNZ