Kiwis love their pets. In 2024, an estimated 4.4 million pets were living in our households, including 850,000 dogs and 1.2 million cats.
That’s a lot of animals. Whether you’re looking to add a guinea pig, rabbit, dog or cat to your family, adopting an animal is a great way to find the perfect pet for your home.
Our guide will help you navigate whether adopting a pet is right for you, how to find the right animal for your home, and the costs and processes involved in bringing your new furry friend home.
In New Zealand, 3,900 animals are waiting for adoption in SPCA shelters alone.
With the rising cost of living, animal shelters around the country are experiencing an uptick in the number of surrendered or abandoned pets.
But before you rush to your local SPCA, it’s important to consider whether adoption is right for you. Let’s explore the pros and cons of adopting a pet in New Zealand.
Adopting your pet rather than ‘shopping’ for one gives an animal a second chance at finding their family. You’re also helping relieve some of the stress placed on pet rescue centres and providers.
When it comes to buying a cat or dog, it can take a lot of time and research to find a breeder that is certified and ethical. While puppy farms or mills aren’t that common in New Zealand, unethical breeders do exist.
The cost to buy a dog can run into the thousands. It’s far more affordable to adopt a pet than it is to buy one. Just make sure you have factored ongoing costs such as food, grooming and veterinary care into your monthly bills.
Adopting an older pet has advantages. It’s easier to judge the behaviour of an animal when they are no longer a puppy or kitten. This allows you to assess whether their laid-back or affectionate temperament is right for your family. You’re more likely to know about any personality or behaviour issues before you adopt.
If you have a specific breed of cat or dog in mind, you may not find the breed you want for adoption. Many dogs looking for their forever home are cross-breeds.
Organisations such as the SPCA desex and vaccinate animals that are surrendered. Even so, there’s a good chance you will not know the full medical history of the animal you're adopting.
Some animals come from rough backgrounds and may need time or special training to feel at home in your care. It’s important to consider whether you have the ability and the time to help your animal work through anxiety, aggression or fear.
The adoption process differs depending on which organisation you choose or whether you adopt privately from the animal's current owner. An organisation such as SPCA may require some or all of the following:
Many organisations will want to chat with you and your family before you adopt. This helps you understand what’s required to care for your new animal. They may ask about any prior history of pet ownership and what a typical day looks like in your household. These questions can help them suggest or match you with the right pet.
If you rent your home, some organisations may need written permission from the landlord confirming that you are allowed pets at the property. Many rentals don’t allow pets—this ensures that the animal they are leaving in your care is allowed to be there.
If you’ve found the animal you want to adopt online, most pet rescue centres will require an in-person meetup with you and the pet. This helps ensure that you and your pet are a good match. It’s also a chance for you—and everyone in your family—to spend time together before the adoption is finalised.
Some pet centres will require a property inspection. For smaller animals, like cats, the inspection may involve a drive-by of your property. For larger farm animals, such as horses and chickens, the inspection will involve assessing the inside of your home and outbuildings like stables or kennels. Again, this is to ensure that the animal they're releasing into your care has enough space and shelter to be happy and healthy.
Some city or regional councils require that your property is checked before you adopt an animal. This is usually for farm animals, such as horses or pigs.
An organisation such as HUHA may require a vet check of any existing animals on your property to make sure that your pets are healthy and won’t pass on any diseases.
Most pet rescue centres will complete a transfer of ownership form for you. This is usually required by local councils for dogs and some other animals to ensure that the new owner is in their records.
Adoption costs will vary depending on which provider you use. It’s possible to find cats and dogs to adopt for free privately on sites like TradMe. Here is a rough idea of how much a pet rescue organisation may charge:
Dogs are more expensive to adopt than cats. Expect to pay between NZ$125 to NZ$500. This fee usually covers vaccinations, microchipping, and desexing. Puppies are more expensive to adopt than older dogs.
Puppies under 5 months: NZ$300 at the SPCA.
Dog over 5 months to 8 years: NZ$250 at the SPCA.
Senior dog over 9 years: NZ$125 at the SPCA.
The cost to adopt a cat in New Zealand is slightly cheaper than for a dog. Expect to pay between NZ$90 and NZ$300. This fee helps to cover the costs of care, desexing and vaccinations.
SPCA New Zealand: Adoption fees range from NZ$90 to NZ$300, depending on the cat's age, breed, and health.
Cats Protection Wellington: Adoption fees are NZ$120 for one cat or NZ$200 for two cats.
Outpawed Rescue Trust: Adoption fees are between NZ$150 and NZ$200.
9 Lives Orphanage: Adoption fees are NZ$220 for a kitten and NZ$120 for an adult cat.
Once you know whether adoption is right for you, it’s time to start looking for your new companion.
Many reputable pet shelters in New Zealand make it easy to adopt an animal. In New Zealand, the most reputable animal adoption centres include:
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is New Zealand’s leading animal welfare organisation. They have locations throughout New Zealand and make it simple to browse cats available for adoption online. Make sure you book an appointment through their website before you visit. This will allow ample time to get to know the cats and dogs on offer.
My Hooman works with shelters across New Zealand to make it easy for humans to find their next pet. They make it easy to start the process online and go from there!
There are many legitimate local providers, such as HUHA, around New Zealand that work locally rescuing animals, desexing and vaccinating them and finding them forever homes. Check out organisations such as HUHA if you are in Wellington,
There are thousands of dogs, cats and other animals available for adoption on TradeMe. Just make sure if you’re looking for a rehome you do your due diligence, ask all the right questions of the seller and feel comfortable that you’ve found the right pet for your home.
It’s important that once you’ve chosen a cat or dog to adopt, you spend time getting to know the animal. Organisations such as SPCA and HUHA require this as part of their adoption process. If you are adopting an animal privately, you’ll need to arrange ample time with the current owner or seller.
Invite all members of your household to come along.
Spend time running around and playing with the animal.
If you’re adopting a dog, take them for a walk on a lead.
Ask what commands they know and see how they respond to your voice.
Feed them treats to see how they respond to people with food.
Let them play with the children to ensure they’re gentle enough for your home.
Some organisations require an inspection of your home and property before you can take your animal home. If you are adopting a dog, you'll need to make sure your property is securely fenced so that the dog can’t run away. You may also want to get an outdoor kennel so they have somewhere dry and warm to sit when they are outside.
Before you adopt an animal, make sure you have everything they may need for their first night in your home—even if that’s weeks away.
A bed or blankets for them to sleep in.
A crate they can comfortably travel in.
Their own area for the first few days (separate from other pets or humans).
Access to the outdoors or a litter box/puppy pads.
Two bowls, one for food and one for water.
New toys they can play with.
A new collar and a leash if they are a dog.
Treats to reward them and help them settle in.
Once the adoption process is complete, it’s time to bring your pet home. Larger dogs need to be transported in a crate or secured with a dog harness in the back of your car. Transport small dogs and cats in a crate or pet carrier, as car rides can be a new and stressful experience for your pet.
To help your pet settle in, introduce them to new parts of your home slowly. You can start by housing your cat in the garage, laundry or bathroom, and slowly expand their territory over the coming days. Allow older dogs to explore the house and garden on a lead so they don’t get overwhelmed. Introduce your pet to new friends or family slowly, as too many visitors can make animals anxious.
Transporting your pet to your home can be a stressful experience for all involved. That's why hiring a professional pet moving service is your best bet. Find trusted pet movers with the experience and know-how to get your newly adopted dog or cat to their forever home safely and securely.
Wise Move is a platform, where people find moving companies and independent movers. Our platform is the first of its kind in New Zealand, giving customers access to reliable, cost-effective and user-reviewed service providers with just a few short steps. Founded back in 2017, our focus has always been on making moving as simple and as effortless as possible for both customers and the professionals they rely on.
It's simple and easy to create a transportation request on Wise Move.
Describe, add photos of your beloved pet in your request.
Our platform will reach out pet carriers relevant to your specification in your area.
Companies may ask you a few more details about your beloved pet before giving you a quote.
Compare prices and get to know carriers before accepting their quote by reading previous customer reviews.
Book your preferred carrier and arrange collection and delivery.
Prepare your pet for transportation.
Meet and greet your chosen courier on your collection day.
Sit back and relax while your professionals takes care of your pet.
Please notify us of any violations. This information will be kept confidential and shared only with Wise Move.
