Outstanding Vet Bills

The Animal Welfare Act (1999) outlines that all animals need:

• proper and sufficient food and water
  
  
  
• adequate shelter
  
  
  
• the opportunity to display normal patterns of behaviour
  
  
  
• physical handling in a way which minimises the likelihood of unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress
  
  
  
• protection from, and rapid diagnosis of, any significant injury or disease.
  
  

(Source: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/legislation/animal-welfare-act/index.htm)

 
Codes of Welfare are being created to provide guidance to those who own or work with animals on what they need to do to ensure they are not breaking the law as outlined in the Animal Welfare Act (1999).

On the 2^nd of March, 2007 the Code of Welfare (Companion Cats) was introduced. This document contains a number of minimum standards, as well as recommended best practice for those caring for a cat or kitten. Anyone who has a cat in their care should read and understand these minimum standards, as failure to meet these can lead to prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act.

Penalties could include:

 (a) in the case of an individual - imprisonment for a term   
             not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding $25,000
             or both; or

 (b) in the case of a body corporate - a fine not exceeding
             $125,000.

A copy of the Code of Welfare (Companion Cats) can be found here.