Ric Odom, CEO of the RNZSPCA says that there is an annual cost of $7.5 million to run the inspectorate service, with less than one percent coming from government funding (which is designated for rural areas only). The remainder of the funding comes from donations, bequests and fundraising. Odom says that as the RNZSPCA carries out an enforcement service, it should ideally be fully funded by the Government or at least significantly more so.
Upholding the Animal Welfare Act is an expensive business. Odom describes the recent prosecution of the Williamson brothers for mistreating thirty four horses as an example.
"The cost of the prosecution was $93,000 plus fostering costs for the surviving horses. The court awarded the SPCA with seven thousand dollars to be paid over several years".
Upholding the Animal Welfare Act is an expensive business. Photo / Thinkstock
If the government were to fund the enforcement work the RNZSPCA does, Odom believes this would allow more to be achieved through education and advocacy around animal welfare, rather than just being the 'animal police'.
A comparable organization to the SPCA is the St John Ambulance Service, a charity that exists to help people in need. Through ACC, the Government covers most of the cost of ambulance call outs. The fact that animals in need don't receive any significant Government assistance, leaving a charity to fund what is a vital role in the community is wrong in my opinion. Odom cites the link between animal cruelty and subsequent violence towards people, making it seem a good use of Government funds to contribute towards enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act.
This would free up the time and resources of the SPCA, allowing them to increase their efforts in the community to provide positive education around animal welfare.
Do you think it's right that the majority of animal welfare enforcement is done by a charity with virtually no government funding?
