PSNZ code of conduct
Pet Sitting NZ
Pet Care Commitment — Code of Conduct
Version 2 (see Version History at the end of this document)
Contents
Welcome and Our Commitment1
Ethical and Professional Requirements3
1. Prohibition on the Use of Force, Fear or Intimidation3
2. Competence and Expertise3
3. Non-Discrimination3
4. Socially Responsible Pet Care3
5. Health and Wellbeing4
6. Property4
7. Privacy and Confidentiality4
8. Social Media4
9. Ownership5
10. Personal Presentation and Conduct5
11. Pet Boarding and Temporary Care5
12. Dog Walking and Public Conduct6
13. Approaching and Interacting with Dogs7
14. Dog Socialising and Introductions7
15. Professional Independence and Sit Attendance7
16. In-Home Boarding: Household Presence and Retreat Space7
17. Verification and Vetting8
18. Accepting Sits Within Your Competence8
19. Using a Service Agreement8
20. Compulsory Meet and Greet9
21. Recommended Practice9
Prohibited Techniques and Training Tools10
Legislation and Further Resources10
Acknowledgement and Declaration11
Version History11
Welcome and Our Commitment
The Pet Sitting NZ Mission
“To improve the welfare of kiwi pets and their owners through professional pet care”
Our Values
Community — “The exponential power of unity and shared purpose”
Compassion — “The ability to empathise and treat others with respect”
Commitment — “Dedication to our profession and performance”
Registered Member Commitment
As a pet sitter member of PSNZ, you are entering into a caring pet community of mutual respect and trust. To ensure our pet care community can remain the safe and respectful place that we are so proud of, we ask that you familiarise yourself with our code of conduct and work by our mission and values.
This code applies to every registered Pet Sitting NZ, pet sitter member, whether free or paid. Acceptance of this code is a condition of registration and membership.
Pet Sitting NZ Pet Sitter Declaration
I agree not to speak on behalf of PSNZ unless instructed to do so in writing. I must not participate on their behalf in the endorsement or commercialisation of any product, service or in the event of interview or provision of information to any member or media. I will not make misleading claims or statements in advertising or otherwise.
I agree to abide by PSNZ General Terms and Conditions and Policies & Procedures for PSNZ members and PSNZ's Privacy Policy. I also agree to accept and abide by this code of conduct, and abide by and observe their documented Service Agreement Statements.
Acceptance of the Pet Care Commitment Code
Becoming a registered PSNZ member means you accept and agree to the Pet Care Commitment Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct may change to align with best practices and PSNZ will ensure that the latest version is available on the website. PSNZ does everything it can to provide a professional, caring pet service. If you have any feedback that would help us improve the service, please let us know.
All registered pet sitter members must accept this code before registration or commencement of membership. Members are encouraged to sign the declaration at the end of this document as a personal commitment to the standards. Where a member signs, the signed version is treated as their acknowledgement of the version identified by its version number and date.
About the Pet Care Commitment Code of Conduct
The code of conduct sets out the minimum expectations for registered pet sitter members at all times, regardless of their individual position, responsibility or location. The code of conduct should be observed at all times, whether interacting with a community member, an animal or your own pet.
The code brings together the key ethics, principles and policies for effective, safe and responsible pet care, to provide a sitter with a guide for their daily decisions and activity.
This code sets the minimum conduct and welfare standards for registered members. PSNZ's Terms and Conditions and Policies and Procedures provide additional operational and membership requirements. If there is any inconsistency, the applicable legal requirement prevails, followed by the Terms and Conditions and then this code.
All registered members must be given access to this code and comply with it for the duration of their membership.
Legal Requirement
Required under New Zealand legislation, regulations or local council bylaws. Where a requirement comes directly from the law, this code names the specific Act, regulation or bylaw it comes from.
PSNZ membership requirement
Expected of every registered pet sitter member as a condition of membership, even where it isn't directly required by law. These are generally expressed using “must” and are conditions of PSNZ membership, even where they are not directly required by legislation.
Recommended practice
Encouraged as good professional practice, but not a condition of membership. These are shown using “recommended” or “encouraged”, rather than “must”.
Membership Types
This code uses the following terms:
Registered member -- any free or paid member of the PSNZ community. This code applies to every registered pet sitter member.
Verified member -- a paid registered member who has completed PSNZ's verification requirements, set out in Clause 17, Verification and Vetting.
Professional -- the standard of conduct this code expects of every member. PSNZ expects every pet sitter member, free or paid, registered or verified, to act professionally.
Upholding This Code
Where a complaint or concern is raised about a registered member and PSNZ finds that they haven't upheld the standards set out in this code, PSNZ's general approach is to remove that member from the Pet Sitting NZ community and membership. The member will be given a fair opportunity to respond before a decision is made, except in the most serious matters -- such as violence, deliberate animal cruelty, serious dishonesty, unauthorised access to a client's home, or serious privacy breaches -- where PSNZ's zero tolerance approach may mean immediate removal. The specific process for reviewing a concern is set out in PSNZ's Terms and Conditions, under “Zero tolerance for Code of Conduct concerns.”
Registered Members Commit To
-Reading, acknowledging and agreeing to comply with the code of conduct
-Acting ethically and professionally in accordance with the code of conduct
-Identifying and reporting instances of animal welfare issues
-Promoting and encouraging responsible pet care in accordance with the code of conduct
Ethical and Professional Requirements
The examples in this code focus particularly on dogs because dog walking and public control involve specific risks. The core duties of humane treatment, competence, supervision, health and safety apply to every animal in a member's care, including cats, rabbits, birds and other pets.
Members must also follow any species-specific legal requirements and PSNZ guidance that apply.
1. Prohibition on the Use of Force, Fear or Intimidation
Registered members must not use force, threats, abusive language or any other violence towards any person or animal.
2. Competence and Expertise
Registered members must comply with the Animal Welfare Act 1999, Dog Control Act 1996 and any other legislative or regulatory welfare requirements that may apply.
Registered members are prohibited from giving medical, nutritional or other health advice unless they hold a relevant qualification and are acting in accordance with the duties and regulations for their qualification.
Unsolicited advice or any advice that is outside of the registered member's personal qualification or expertise is strictly prohibited. Where possible no advice should be given and members should refer all questions to an independent professional or publicly available information or resources.
Continued professional development and remaining up to date with legislation is required of all registered members. Pet Sitting NZ policies and procedures must be regularly reviewed to remain up to date with best practice.
3. Non-Discrimination
Pet Sitting NZ is an exclusive community and provides service to all pet owners without discrimination based on race, age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability, religion, political belief, nation of origin or sexual orientation.
4. Socially Responsible Pet Care
While providing a pet sitting or care service, registered members take on the same public responsibilities that would ordinarily fall to a pet's owner under the Dog Control Act 1996 and other applicable legislation – including preventing the animal from being a nuisance to others, and taking all reasonable steps to prevent it causing harm or damage to people, other animals, stock, protected wildlife, or property.
Members must clean up after the pet in public and communal spaces and dispose of waste responsibly.
Members must remain observant of hazards and of other people and animals nearby, and act in a way that respects the rights and enjoyment of shared spaces by others.
Specific requirements for leashing and off-lead exercise are set out in Clause 12, Dog Walking and Public Conduct.
5. Health and Wellbeing
Registered members are responsible for their personal health and safety when caring for any pet, and must take all practical steps to identify, eliminate or manage hazards, and maintain a necessary level of fitness to perform their specific duties or service.
Registered members are responsible for reporting any injury or medical event that they observe during the service provided, to PSNZ. Open and honest communication of all concerns is expected, and members should encourage owners to seek independent health advice from a professional.
Specific health conditions, injuries and dietary requirements must be recorded and managed by the registered member when providing any service. Owners have the obligation to report any such condition before the commencement of service.
Owners retain responsibility for providing accurate information and lawful instructions about their pet. Registered members remain responsible for the welfare, care and control of an animal while it is in their possession, custody or supervision, and must not follow an instruction that would place the animal at unreasonable or unnecessary risk.
At all times registered members must make decisions and act with the best interest of the animal's health and wellbeing.
6. Property
Registered members must respect and protect all Pet Sitting NZ and owner's property at all times. When using company or owner's property it is the member's duty to handle equipment with the required care, store property safely and securely, regularly check for any maintenance required or health and safety risks.
In the event of any damage or loss of property, the member must record and report the incident details immediately to PSNZ.
7. Privacy and Confidentiality
Registered members must not share confidential information that could reasonably lead to the identification of a client, or prospective client, research participant, or other person with whom they have a confidential relationship, unless they have obtained the prior consent.
Registered members maintain records of all clients, their pets, services provided, and the training plan when relevant. Pet Sitting NZ may ask members to show their documents as part of ensuring standards of meeting our Pet Care Commitment Code. Registered members must obtain informed consent from clients before audio/video recording or permitting third-party observation.
All information gathered for the purpose of providing a pet sitting service must be used in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020 – information must only be collected and used for this specific purpose, be stored securely and must be made available to the owner when requested.
This clause covers how members must handle a client's information. How PSNZ itself collects, stores and protects members' own personal information – including verification documents – is set out separately in PSNZ's Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
8. Social Media
Pet Sitting NZ acknowledges the benefit and importance of communicating through social media. We want all members to be good ambassadors for our brand and do not want you to say anything that may have unintended or negative consequences.
Any associate of Pet Sitting NZ using social media as a private individual, both during and outside working hours:
-Should ensure that no confidential or proprietary information about Pet Sitting NZ, its business, our people/contractors, management or any other matter Pet Sitting NZ is involved in, is posted or commented on by unauthorised members.
-When posting anything directly or referring to Pet Sitting NZ, must do so in a professional manner and must consider how the social media posting will affect Pet Sitting NZ, or any member of Pet Sitting NZ and its reputation.
-Must ensure that they do not comment on anything that purports to be or could be construed as being the opinion or view of Pet Sitting NZ.
-Must consider the privacy of other people and not post any details, photographs, or videos without the express permission of those individuals.
-Must avoid posting or sharing anything that reveals a client's home, address, security arrangements or belongings – even with the owner's permission for the pet itself – putting the privacy and safety of the home and pets first.
Social media websites are public forums and many members of the media follow these websites. Posting on social media is equivalent to posting on our website or talking directly to the media. Pet Sitting NZ needs to carefully manage the messages we communicate in public and all spokespeople on any issue need to be authorised.
Members must:
-Ensure their internal and external communications are professional, timely and, when necessary, approved.
-Act professionally when representing Pet Sitting NZ, particularly when wearing a uniform, using one of our vehicles or attending events on our behalf.
-Make no statements that could have a negative impact on Pet Sitting NZ's reputation or brand.
-Avoid personal comments that could be interpreted, even mistakenly, as a comment or an endorsement made by Pet Sitting NZ.
-Keep organisational information confidential unless authorised otherwise.
9. Ownership
Registered members acknowledge and respect the rights of clients to make decisions regarding their pets' management, training, and care. You must not mislead, or fail to share information relating to the pet's care or service provided; owners must provide informed consent for all services and are unable to be fully informed unless registered members act honestly, transparently and respect the rights of owners at all times.
10. Personal Presentation and Conduct
Members should wear clothing appropriate for the pet care role, and present clean and prepared for each sit. PSNZ has branded clothing available for members to purchase – contact us for details.
For outdoor work, consider long sleeves, closed and comfortable footwear, and a hat or rain jacket as the weather requires.
11. Pet Boarding and Temporary Care
PSNZ has adopted the minimum welfare standards set out in the Code of Welfare: Temporary Housing of Companion Animals (issued under the Animal Welfare Act 1999) as the standard expected of every registered member providing boarding, house sitting, or day care – covering the provision of appropriate food, water and shelter, and the opportunity for animals to display normal behaviour.
Animals from different households must not be housed, fed, or left unsupervised together unless the owner has given explicit prior consent.
Members must follow the owner's documented feeding, exercise, medication and routine instructions exactly – no substitutions or changes without contacting the owner first.
Any sign of illness, injury or distress that is unusual, persistent, worsening or potentially significant must be acted on promptly and reported to the owner without delay, not left until pick-up or drop-off. Urgent veterinary attention must be sought where delay could compromise the animal's welfare.
Members must check on any pet in overnight boarding or house-sitting care at a frequency appropriate to that animal's needs, and must never leave an animal unattended for a period the owner has not agreed to.
Sleeping, toileting and feeding arrangements must give the animal a comfortable, safe and suitably sized space appropriate to its size and behavioural needs.
12. Dog Walking and Public Conduct
Before taking any dog off the property, members should confirm it is microchipped. Under section 36A of the Dog Control Act 1996, any dog registered for the first time since 1 July 2006 must be microchipped (working farm dogs are the main exemption), since the microchip is the primary way a lost or escaped dog is reunited with its owner. If a dog isn't microchipped, members should raise this with the owner before agreeing to any outdoor walks.
Dogs must be kept on a lead wherever required by the Dog Control Act 1996, its regulations, local council bylaws or park rules. Off-leash exercise may occur only in a designated area, with the owner's prior written consent, and where the member reasonably considers the dog to be under effective control.
Members must assess whether off-leash exercise is appropriate for that specific dog – considering recall, temperament and environment – before it happens, not assume it is appropriate based on the owner's request alone.
The maximum number of dogs one person can walk at once is set by local council bylaws and varies around New Zealand. As a reference point, Auckland Council's rule (from 1 January 2026) allows up to 4 dogs for the general public, or up to 12 for a registered, council-approved dog walker – see Auckland Council's guidance on walking multiple dogs. Members must check and follow the specific rule set by their own local council, which may be different.
If a member holds public liability or pet-care insurance, they must also check with their insurer whether the policy sets its own maximum number of dogs, and stay within whichever limit – council or insurance – is lower.
Where a dog requires a muzzle – by owner instruction, breed-specific legislation, or a dangerous dog classification – it must be used exactly as instructed.
Members must carry the means to clean up after the dog on every walk, in line with the general clean-up and nuisance-prevention standard set out in Clause 4.
In hot weather, it is recommended that members check pavement and ground temperature before walking a dog and avoid the hottest part of the day; walks should also be shortened or postponed in extreme cold or severe weather, for the dog's safety.
Members should avoid leaving a dog unattended in a vehicle wherever possible. Where it's genuinely unavoidable, it must only be for the shortest time necessary, never on a warm or hot day, and never parked in direct sun – SPCA reports that on a 21°C day, a car parked in shade with windows down can exceed 31°C within 10 minutes. Leaving a dog showing signs of heat stress (heavy panting, drooling, or seeking shade) in a vehicle is an infringement offence under the Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Regulations 2018, and can lead to prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act 1999 where the welfare impact is significant.
Members should carry accessible, clean drinking water for the dog on every outing, particularly in hot weather, and offer it regularly during the walk.
13. Approaching and Interacting with Dogs
Before approaching or handling any dog – whether the dog is in their care, encountered on a walk, or present at a property being entered – members must be able to recognise canine body language, including subtle stress and warning signals, not only obvious aggression.
On arrival at any property, members must complete a basic risk check for signs of an unfamiliar or agitated dog before entering, and must have a plan to safely disengage if a dog shows signs of fear, stress or aggression.
Members must never use force, punishment-based handling, or any of the prohibited training tools and techniques listed later in this document, when managing a difficult or reactive dog.
Any bite, near-miss or aggressive incident involving a dog in a member's care – or encountered while providing a service – must be reported to PSNZ and, where relevant, the owner, as soon as practicable.
14. Dog Socialising and Introductions
Members must never arrange or allow an introduction, meet-up or off-lead play session between a dog in their care and another dog – including other clients' dogs, PSNZ community dogs, or personal pets – without the owner's explicit prior consent.
Before any introduction, members must consider whether the dogs are likely to be compatible – age, energy level, size and known temperament – rather than assuming any two dogs will get on.
Members must actively supervise all dog-to-dog interactions and be able to recognise the difference between healthy play and early signs of overstimulation, fear or conflict, ending the interaction calmly and promptly if needed.
Members should encourage owners toward genuine, well-matched socialisation opportunities rather than uncontrolled group settings such as busy dog parks, particularly for dogs with limited social experience.
15. Professional Independence and Sit Attendance
Registered members provide pet sitting services as independent professionals. Bringing friends, family members, or personal pets along to a sit is not part of the professional standard PSNZ expects of its members, and members must not do this as a matter of course.
Where two registered PSNZ members – including couples – wish to jointly provide or share a sit, both individuals must independently meet PSNZ's membership, verification, conduct and service requirements, and the client must be given prior notice and asked to consent to both individuals attending. Being in a relationship with, or living with, a registered member does not by itself make someone an approved sitter.
It is not acceptable for a registered member to bring a non-member companion – whether a friend, family member or their own pet – to a sit, even informally or for a short visit, without the client's explicit consent.
This standard applies to sits carried out at the pet owner's property. Where a member offers in-home boarding at their own residence, the expectations below apply instead. Full detail on professional sitter boundaries – including additional pets, couples, family enquiries, visitors during a sit, and emergency circumstances – is set out in PSNZ's Terms and Conditions, under the Professional Sitter & Additional Persons Policy.
16. In-Home Boarding: Household Presence and Retreat Space
Where a registered member offers in-home boarding at their own residence, rather than providing care at the pet owner's property, it is reasonable and expected that the member's own household – including family, partners, flatmates and their own pets – will be present, since this is the member's home rather than a client's.
Members offering in-home boarding must disclose to the owner, before booking is confirmed, who and what other pets are normally present in the household, so the owner can make an informed decision about whether the environment suits their pet.
Members must provide the boarded pet with a suitable, accessible space of its own – such as a separate room, crate or quiet area – where it can retreat and be free from interaction with other people or animals in the household whenever it chooses to.
This is a welfare consideration, in keeping with an animal's need for the opportunity to display normal behaviour under the Animal Welfare Act 1999, and must be assessed and applied consistently and fairly for every booking, regardless of the make-up of the member's own household.
17. Verification and Vetting
Members who complete PSNZ's paid verification process ("verified members") must provide and maintain current verification documents, so that pet owners can trust the professionalism of everyone who has been verified.
-A copy of a valid form of government-issued ID.
-Evidence of a current official criminal-record check, assessed by PSNZ in accordance with its verification process, renewed annually.
-At least three professional references, able to be shown to PSNZ or a client on request.
Verified members must keep this documentation current and notify PSNZ if any change occurs – for example, a new record-check result – that would affect their standing under this code.
PSNZ reviews verification documents with reasonable discretion. An old or minor record entry unrelated to a member's ability to safely and honestly provide pet care will be considered on its individual merits, rather than resulting in automatic exclusion.
This clause sets the standard verified members must meet. The process and timeframe for completing verification, and what happens if it isn't completed in time, are set out in PSNZ's
Terms and Conditions.
18. Accepting Sits Within Your Competence
Registered members are expected to only accept a booking they are genuinely comfortable and competent to carry out. If a member doesn't have the experience, confidence, or ability to safely and appropriately care for a particular pet or type of sit – including a dog with known behavioural challenges – the expectation is that they don't take it on.
Members should ask enough questions about the pet and the sit before accepting, to make an informed judgement about whether it's a good fit for their experience and skills.
Owners are expected to disclose, honestly and in full, any known aggression, health condition, or behavioural issue affecting a pet, so a member can make that judgement before a booking is confirmed.
19. Using a Service Agreement
PSNZ believes that having all of the information needed for a pet sit – confirmed before it begins – is part of what makes a sitter's service professional and helps the sit go to plan. To support this, PSNZ provides a free service agreement to every registered member, free or paid, so that all sitters have access to a document covering everything a professional should be considering.
Registered members are expected to use a written service agreement – PSNZ's own template, or an equivalent covering the same ground – for every booking, so key details are confirmed and recorded upfront rather than assumed.
This includes matters such as emergency contacts, veterinary details, feeding and medication instructions, access and security arrangements, and anything else relevant to the specific pet or sit.
A clear service agreement protects both the sitter and the owner by making sure expectations are agreed and documented from the outset, not worked out partway through a sit.
This use of a service agreement is also expected as part of PSNZ's Professional Sitter &
Additional Persons Policy, set out in PSNZ's Terms and Conditions.
20. Compulsory Meet and Greet
A meet and greet is compulsory before every new sit. This gives the member the chance to properly understand the pet, the property and environment, and any other animals present, before agreeing to provide the service.
Where dogs are involved, the meet and greet should let the member confirm how the dog interacts with other dogs and with people, since this affects how it can be safely walked or socialised during the sit.
It is recommended that the dog be walked with the owner present during the meet and greet, so the member can see first-hand how the dog handles, walks and socialises before taking on the booking.
21. Recommended Practice
The following are recommended good practice, not requirements to sign this code:
-Lone Working and Check-Ins
Many sits are carried out alone, often in a property the member doesn't know well. It is recommended that members arrange a simple check-in – letting a friend, family member or another PSNZ member know when a sit begins and ends, particularly for overnight or in-home boarding sits – so that someone is aware of their whereabouts.
-Hygiene and Biosecurity Between Clients
To help avoid carrying illness – such as kennel cough, parvovirus, ringworm or fleas – between different pets and properties, it is recommended that members clean, and where practical disinfect, footwear, hands and any shared equipment (such as leads, bowls or bedding) between sits, especially where a previous pet was unwell.
-Insurance
PSNZ strongly encourages every member to hold public liability and care, custody and control insurance suited to a pet-care service. This is not a requirement to sign this code, recognising that insurance can be a significant cost for an individual sitter, but it is recommended as good professional practice and helps protect both the member and the owners they work with.
-Understanding Pet Vitals
It's recommended, though not required, that members have a working understanding of normal vital signs for the pets in their care – such as breathing rate, gum colour and temperature – and how to check them, so that a change is easier to notice and describe to a vet.
-Pet First Aid
It's recommended that members have a working understanding of basic first aid: applying pressure and wrapping a bleeding wound, cooling a burn (including paw pads burnt on hot pavement), and recognising when an injured or distressed animal should not be handled and requires urgent veterinary advice -- using a suitable muzzle or other handling aid, where appropriate and safe, only in accordance with competent guidance. It's also useful to recognise situations that need urgent vet attention, such as a suspected sprain or fracture, an insect sting causing swelling, or a grass seed lodged in a paw or ear. Carrying a basic pet first aid kit on sits is also recommended, though not compulsory.
Prohibited Techniques and Training Tools
-Pet corrector or any device that emits a hiss of air
-Dog stop or any device that emits a loud or high-pitched sound, including ultrasound
-Any spray collar or device whether remotely, automatically or vocally triggered
-Liquid sprays
-Strong smelling substances – e.g. smelling salts/bite back
-Any form of electronic stimulation training collar or device that applies electric current to the animal
-Any slip chain/lead or prong collars
-Any other device that utilises pain to provide a stimulus to an animal
-Any technique that uses fear, force or intimidation
-Pinching, hitting or biting
-“Alpha roll” or forced “submission”
-Flooding
-Any excessive handling that causes pain or discomfort
Legislation and Further Resources
Dog Control Act 1996
Under the Dog Control Act, all owners have basic obligations.
These include:
-Registration: You have to register your dog with your local council and keep them up-to-date with your address details.
-Micro-chipping: All dogs registered in New Zealand for the first time must be microchipped, with the exception of working farm dogs.
-Control: You have to control your dog at all times. If you're in a public place you must have a leash with you whenever your dog is with you.
Proper care and attention: You have to give your dog proper care and attention, including food, water and shelter.
-Exercise: You have to make sure your dog gets adequate exercise.
-No nuisance: You have to take all reasonable steps to ensure your dog doesn't create a nuisance to others by barking, howling or any other means.
-No harm: You have to make sure your dog doesn't harm or distress any person, stock, domestic animal or protected wildlife.
-No damage: You have to take all reasonable steps to ensure your dog doesn't damage or endanger any property.
Animal Welfare Act 1999
This pivotal legislation sets the standards for the treatment and care of animals in New Zealand, pioneering globally by officially acknowledging animals as sentient beings with the capacity to experience a full spectrum of emotions.
Beyond the recognition of animal sentience, the Act aims to enhance animal welfare and prevent any form of mistreatment. Grounded in the five freedoms of animal welfare, the legislation mandates that individuals responsible for animals ensure the fulfilment of their physical, health, and behavioural needs.
These needs encompass:
-Provision of appropriate and sufficient food and water
-Supply of adequate shelter
-Facilitation of opportunities for the display of normal behaviour patterns
-Handling procedures designed to minimise the likelihood of unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress
-Protection from and prompt diagnosis of any significant injury or disease
The Act refrains from specifying the exact methods to fulfil these obligations, delegating such details to regulations and codes of welfare created under the Act. Although codes of welfare lack legal enforceability, non-compliance with their minimum standards can serve as grounds for prosecution under the Act.
Enforcement of the Act primarily falls to the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and the SPCA. MPI is generally responsible for complaints involving livestock and other commercially farmed animals, while the SPCA is generally responsible for complaints concerning companion animals such as cats and dogs.
MPI Codes of Welfare
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has put together 16 Codes of Welfare that include minimum standards, guidance information and recommended best practices for animal welfare. These Codes cover animals from dogs to dairy cattle, and situations such as animal rodeos and painful husbandry procedures. You can find the full list (with amendments) on the Ministry for Primary Industries website or the links to these in the member resource section of the PSNZ website. Relevant codes for PSNZ members include the Code of Welfare: Dogs and the Code of Welfare: Temporary Housing of Companion Animals.
Links to Further Information
Dogs: Care and control of your dog – Community Law
Dog control in your area (find your council's rules) – Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport
Codes of welfare: Animal Species
MPI and SPCA animal welfare complaint responsibilities – Ministry for Primary Industries
Animal Welfare Act 1999
Dog Control Act 1996
Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Regulations 2018
Acknowledgement and Declaration
I have read and understand the Pet Sitting NZ Pet Care Commitment Code and acknowledge the duties and obligations set out. By accepting or signing this document, I acknowledge and agree to comply with this code for as long as I remain a registered Pet Sitting NZ member.
Version accepted: Version 2 (25 September 2026)
Name: _______________________
Email: _______________________
Date accepted: _______________________
Signature: _______________________
Version History
Version 1 – February 2024: Original release of the Pet Care Commitment Code of Conduct.
Version 2 – 25 September 2026: New sections added – Upholding This Code, How to Read This Code, Pet Boarding and Temporary Care, Dog Walking and Public Conduct, Approaching and Interacting with Dogs, Dog Socialising and Introductions, Professional Independence and Sit Attendance, In-Home Boarding: Household Presence and Retreat Space, Verification and Vetting, Accepting Sits Within Your Competence, Using a Service Agreement, Compulsory Meet and Greet, and Recommended Practice (including Pet First Aid). Existing sections updated – Socially Responsible Pet Care, Health and Wellbeing, Privacy and Confidentiality, Personal Presentation and Conduct (shortened), Dog Walking and Public Conduct, Legislation and Further Resources.
