Call for more animal welfare funding

Researchers have found that there's inadequate protection for some of the most vulnerable members of society - animals. It's because of a lack of funding. Only 1.6 per cent of the Ministry for Primary Industry's 2018-19 budget is earmarked for all aspects of animal welfare, enforcement, education and policy advice. The RNZSPCA is woefully under-resourced with just $400,000 in funding from the government. Marcelo Rodriguez Ferrere of the University of Otago wants to see a Commissioner for Animals established.