NZ Among Leaders in Dog Ownership
If you read the local media or watch tv, you will have noticed a big increase in items regarding dogs. Seven Sharp on TV One is an example of this. And the reason has become obvious if still not obvious to many.
NZ is among those countries with the biggest number of dogs per human capita of in the world. And 35% of households in NZ own at least one companion dog. NZ is also one of those countries with more cats than dogs but dog ownership is catching up.
Stats show that NZ has 180 dogs per 1000 human population and of course most of these are pet owned. At the top in the world is the USA with 274 dogs per 1000 humans followed by Brazil 261, Romania 213, Hungary 211, Poland 203, Portugal 203 and Australia 201.
The most dogs in the world reside in China and the USA and both these countries have serious issues with dogs.
China (excluding HK) is estimated to be approaching 110 million dogs while USA has in excess of 95 million. Brazil comes in third with 55 million.
China has dog meat as part of higher-end meals at restaurants though the public generally do not eat dog meat for home cooking. The USA has many dogs unwanted and abandoned, dogs badly managed and cared for, dogs in shelter facilities, dogs euthanised.
Americans spend over 102 billion dollars annually on commercial dog and cat food. It is big business. What one gets from this stat is the over feeding of commercial dry food (kibble/biscuit) to dogs in the USA. This shortens the expected life span of dogs and their long term well being.
NZ currently has around 900,000 dogs with 15% unregistered. Forty percent of dogs here are pure breed and another 10% being "designer" breed.
While NZ is high in dog numbers per human capita, we are slow to progress in dog welfare and treatment. For instance, we still allow shock collars, "chaining" dogs for long periods, not making appropriate/recommended daily dog exercising compulsory for dog ownership, antiquated dog registration systems, chemicalised/fluoridated tap water given to dogs. Almost 4 years ago we did away with the docking of dog tails and ear cropping which was considerably behind many other countries.
Upper Hutt has the most dogs per human capita of any city or district within the Wellington region at around 6500 registered in 2022 with another 10-15% unregistered.
Latest scams to look out for 👀
Neighbourly hopes to keep you safe by keeping you informed of the latest scams circulating. This week, we are sharing two common text message scams:
NZTA / Waka Kotahi scam:
- The scam is a text message saying it's from New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, and it encourages the recipient to pay an overdue road toll by visiting a fake website, threatening to take the matter to court within 15 days if they don’t pay up.
- The aim is to trick people into giving away their personal details or pay them money.
- While it is not the first time toll payments have been utilised by scammers, the threat of court action could see more people fall victim.
- The sender will either be a unknown phone number or unknown email address.
Want to report one of these scams? Do so, on Netsafe
NZ Post scam:
- This scam arrives by test message and says it's from NZ Post.
- The premise is that delivery of your parcel was unsuccessful so in order to rearrange delivery. you must click on a link to give your correct address.
- The aim is to trick people into giving away their personal details or pay them money.
- NZ Post advises people not to click the link, but to report the message to the Department of Internal Affairs by forwarding it to 7726.
Think you may have fallen prey to a scam? Get in touch with Netsafe or contact your bank if it involved your bank details.
Remember, if you didn't expect the message and you are now asked to share personal details or money, then stop contact and seek advice elsewhere.
Feel free to share any below that you've encountered recently. This may help others across the country be aware.
Happy Rāmere neighbours! Here's a riddle to start your weekend off right.
People make me, save me, change me, raise me. What am I?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
It's almost the weekend neighbours, here's a riddle to get you going!
What goes through cities and fields, but never moves?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
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