Petition request

That the House of Representatives mandate the desexing of dogs in NZ except to registered breeders.

Petition reason

New Zealand’s population of dogs is increasing and rescue groups are drowning and can’t keep up. Dogs can have 2-3 litters per year with 5-12 pups per litter. Dog numbers are growing at a faster rate than human numbers, with 70,000 extra dogs in the past few years on top of the 851,000 dogs in NZ in 2020. There is now an estimated dog population of nearly 1,000,000. We hear from pounds that they are euthanising dogs regularly as a means to control numbers.

Petition progress

  • Open for signatures
  • Closed for signatures
  • Select Committee
  • Reported
  • Referred to Minister
Number of signatures: 2519
Date presented: 20 Jul 2023
Considered by: Petitions
SC Report(s): 03 Jul 2026 (Final)
Presenting member: Hon Nicola Grigg
Closing date: 16 Jul 2023