NZ dog abandonment and euthanasia rates

The stark reality of dog euthanasia rates in New Zealand: 🇳🇿💔 Statistics, Death, Reality. #Euthanasia #NewZealand

Dog abandonment rates in New Zealand have shown a significant upward trend over recent years, particularly since 2021, with notable regional spikes and increasing strain on shelters.

### Abandonment and Euthanasia Statistics (Recent Years)

– **Auckland Trends:** In the 2023–24 financial year, Auckland shelters euthanised 4,007 dogs—an average of 11 per day. This figure is three-and-a-half times higher than it was three years prior. Half of all 8,306 dogs impounded during this period did not survive, making it the highest euthanasia rate in at least a decade. The rise is closely tied to a surge in both abandonment and increased dog roaming and attack incidents, particularly since 2022[1][4].

– **National Shelter Intake:** The SPCA reported 5,000 animals in its care in 2023, a 10% increase from the previous year. While this number includes all animal types, a significant proportion is dogs. Intake at shelters has generally increased since the pause in desexing due to COVID-19 lockdowns, leading to a growing dog population—Auckland’s known dog population alone rose 5.5% in 2022[3][7].

– **Annual Impact:** Nationwide, over 41,000 injured, neglected, and abandoned animals enter the SPCA’s care each year. While not all are dogs, these figures reflect the broad scale of the problem and suggest that dog abandonment rates remain persistently high[6].

– **Localised Crises:** Individual councils and animal rescues report severe local surges. For example, in one jurisdiction, 423 dogs were euthanised in a single 10-month span (2023–2024) as surrenders climbed and adoption rates dropped, largely due to the cost-of-living crisis[2].

### Key Drivers and Changes Over Time

– **Cost of Living and Adoptions:** Recent years have seen fewer adoptions and more abandoned pets due to financial hardship, resulting in longer shelter stays and higher euthanasia rates[7].

– **Roaming and Attacks:** Since 2022, roaming and dog attack incidents have also increased, further overwhelming local councils and animal management teams[4].

The data clearly indicate that New Zealand is facing a sustained and worsening crisis in dog abandonment and euthanasia, especially in urban areas, driven by economic pressures and exacerbated by the previous pandemic period[1][2][3].

Citations:
[1] Auckland dog shelters forced to euthanise more dogs than any point … https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland-dog-shelters-forced-to-euthanise-more-dogs-than-any-point-in-past-decade/ZSRE4OMHG5GPZNQ2MAMNQRGMVA/
[2] Huge number of pound dogs euthanised as owners battle cost of living https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/huge-number-of-unclaimed-pound-dogs-euthanised-as-owners-battle-cost-of-living/5UXKI5TM35HNFMRUBQLCDY5EMI/
[3] What Happens to Dogs at the Pound in NZ? https://www.pdinsurance.co.nz/blogs/what-happens-to-dogs-at-the-pound-in-nz/
[4] Calls for tougher dog laws as attacks and euthanasia rates climb https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/07/19/calls-for-tougher-dog-laws-as-attacks-and-euthanasia-rates-climb/
[5] SPCA reveals worst of animal abuse and neglect cases for 2018 – RNZ https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/383093/spca-reveals-worst-of-animal-abuse-and-neglect-cases-for-2018
[6] News: Where are our abandoned animals now? – SPCA New Zealand https://www.spca.nz/news-and-events/news-article/abandonedanimals
[7] [PDF] YEAR IN REVIEW – SPCA New Zealand https://www.spca.nz/downloads/assets/1053220/1/spca_new_zealand_year-in-review-2023-24.pdf
[8] Pets | Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand https://teara.govt.nz/en/pets/print