27 May 2026
Official information request 8140018987
(Please quote this in any correspondence)
Levonne Scott
By email: [FYI request #34607 email]
Tēnā koe Levonne
Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987
Re: Auckland Council Animal Shelter
Thank you for your email of 4 May 2026, requesting information about Auckland Council
Animal Shelter. The specific details of your request and our response are below.
Specifically, I request the following data for the 48-month period ending
may 2026
1.
Euthanasia Statistics: The total number of dogs euthanized by Auckland
Council, broken down by month.
2.
Reasons for Euthanasia: A breakdown of the primary reasons for
euthanasia (e.g., aggression, behavioral issues, medical necessity, or
shelter capacity constraints).
3.
Assessment Methodology: Documentation of the current behavioral
assessment framework or matrix used by the Council to determine if a dog
is "rehomeable" versus "non-rehomeable."
4.
Independent Review Policy: Any existing policies, guidelines, or
procedures that allow for independent behavioral assessments (by
non-Council staff, such as qualified third-party behaviorists) to be
conducted on animals prior to a decision to euthanize.
5.
Rehoming Protocols: Any internal policy documents regarding the
criteria and decision-making process for designating a dog as suitable for
rehoming.
6.
Assessment Environment: Please provide any documentation outlining the
environment in which "behavioral assessments" are currently conducted. Is
there a distinction made between a dog's behavior upon intake versus their
behavior after a decompression period?
7.
Rehoming Refusals: How many dogs were euthanised in the last 48 months
that had active, vetted offers of adoption or rescue support pending, and
what was the specific reason for refusing these offers?
Private Bag 92300, Auckland 1142 |
aucklandcouncil.govt.nz |
Ph 09 301 0101
8.
Behavioral Rehabilitation: Please provide a list of existing programs,
if any, that utilize behavioral support (such as training or
rehabilitation) for dogs identified as "fearful" or "anxious" prior to a
decision on euthanasia.
9.
Incident History: How many dogs euthanised for "aggression" in the last
48 months had no prior history of causing serious injury (maiming or
death) to humans or other animals?
Please find attached information pertaining to your request for information on the Auckland
Council Animal Shelters. Our Animal Management department have provided the
following information:
• Euthanasia Statistics and reasons for euthanasia
o Annual Report 2022-2023
o Annual Report 2023-2024
o Annual Report 2024-2025
o Data 01 July 2025 – 30 April 2026
• Rehoming protocols and assessment methodology
o AM – Temperament Testing Manual
o AM – Dog Rehoming and Fostering Policy
o Temperament test
Subject to the reason for impoundment, a dog’s behaviour during intake is taken into account.
However, staff continue to monitor and assess behaviour throughout the dog’s stay to
determine suitability for rehoming.
The environment used for a full temperament assessment can vary depending on the shelter.
Once an initial assessment confirms the dog can be safely removed from the kennel block, it
is taken to a designated assessment room located as far from the kennel environment as
practicable. Where available, this space includes minimal furniture and items to simulate a
home setting, along with toys, food, and other resources required to carry out the
assessment. There are no independent review policies or Behavioural rehabilitation lists to
provide.
For your query 7 and 9, to respond in full would require Auckland Council to undertake
extensive manual searches across multiple records. This information would only be recorded
within a dogs impound notes or history. Considering the amount of euthanasia’s over 48-
month period for behaviour reasons, this would involve looking into over 10,000 records
individually. And to locate, read notes, review and record the information requested this
would equate to a minimum of 200 hours. This includes the need for subject-matter
specialists to locate and review records and to consider any necessary redactions before
release.
We considered whether the request could be progressed by applying a refinement or charge
under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987. However, even with
refinement or charging, the level of work required would remain significant and would
unreasonably interfere with Auckland Council’s ability to carry out its day-to-day operations.
Private Bag 92300, Auckland 1142 |
aucklandcouncil.govt.nz |
Ph 09 301 0101
Accordingly, your request is refused under section 17(f) of the Local Government Official
Information and Meetings Act 1987, on the grounds that it cannot be made available without
substantial collation or research.
Due to the size of the files, you can access the information using the OneDrive link below.
You’ll need to enter your email address to view the documents. Please note the link will expire
after 20 working days, so we recommend saving the files to your device.
Share with Levonne Scott
Sometimes the verification code email may go to your junk folder—please check there if you
don’t see it in your inbox.
The decision by Auckland Council to release the information contained in this response was
made by Elly Waitoa - Manager, Animal Management.
You have the right to complain to the Ombudsman if you believe we have not responded
appropriately to your request. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Ngā mihi
Tiffany Sze
Privacy and Official Information Business Partner
Customer Experience and Digital Services
Private Bag 92300, Auckland 1142 |
aucklandcouncil.govt.nz |
Ph 09 301 0101
