SAFE Animal Squad
We wouldn’t accept dogs freezing to death … so why is it ‘acceptable’ for newborn lambs to suffer this fate year on year?
Many of us consider access to shade and shelter to be a basic right, so why are so many animals subjected to inadequate protection from the elements, leaving them vulnerable to the harsh New Zealand climate?
SAFE is dedicated to investigating these injustices and forming our case to provide irrefutable evidence of the need for stronger and enforced shade and shelter standards for animals across Aotearoa.
Your generosity has the power to change animals’ lives, please join SAFE today and take immediate action to protect animals. With your help, SAFE can expose the lack of shade and shelter for vulnerable animals and provide irrefutable evidence of the need for effective and enforced shade and shelter standards.
All animals require access to shade and shelter. The concept of providing animals with access to shade and shelter has been deemed ‘normal’ practice for animal companions, but much less so for farm animals. There is an inaccurate belief that livestock have ‘adapted’ to the New Zealand climate and therefore many animals, particularly farm animal such as cows, sheep, and horses, are kept in paddocks or pastures without adequate protection from the elements, leaving them vulnerable to the harsh New Zealand climate.
The lack of shade and shelter for farm animals in New Zealand is a significant problem. While many people might assume that farm animals are adapted to living outdoors, exposure to harsh weather conditions such as extreme heat, cold, wind, and rain can cause significant stress and even harm to these animals.
Every year, animals are exposed to extreme weather events with little to no shelter. This is a particular problem during lambing season, when young lambs are exposed to cold weather in late winter and early spring. Extreme weather events can result in dehydration, heat stress, frostbite, and even death, especially in young or vulnerable animals. In addition, lack of shelter can cause animals to experience stress and anxiety, leading to further negative impacts on their overall health and wellbeing.
The Animal Welfare Act 1999 does mandate that animals must be provided with adequate food, water, shelter, and veterinary care, yet the definition of “adequate shelter” is not clearly defined. SAFE is advocating for the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee to review the current ‘codes of welfare’ in place to demonstrate the need for both stronger and enforced shade and shelter standards for animals across Aotearoa.
These numbers are not reported. 2013 data from Beef + Lamb reported as many as 26% of lamb deaths are attributed to lack of shade and shelter and malnutrition.
We believe that A Roof is A Right and therefore all animals should have access to shade and shelter.
SAFE is committed to exposing the inhuman conditions animals face and fighting for enforced regulatory change to shade and shelter standards. By exposing these conditions we can demonstrate the need for the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee to review the current ‘codes of welfare’. Our work can cause real regulatory change and cause real lasting change for vulnerable animals.
Moving away from dairy is a choice that benefits animals, our planet and our health. There’s never been a better time to go dairy-free. Whether you’re looking for tips on the best plant-based cheese or ice cream or on the lookout for new dairy-free recipe ideas, we’ve got you covered!
As a charity, SAFE is reliant on the support of caring people like you to carry out our valuable work. Every gift goes towards providing education, undertaking research and campaigning for the benefit of all animals. SAFE is a registered charity in New Zealand (CC 40428). Contributions of $5 or more are tax-deductible.
