At the Forefront of Welfare for Dogs and Cats. WDA Applauds New Zealand’s Historic Legislation to Ban Greyhound Racing

The New Zealand Parliament officially passed the Racing Industry (Closing Greyhound Racing Industry) Amendment Bill on April 2nd this year, announcing a complete termination of commercial greyhound racing effective August 1st, 2026. This historic ruling puts an end to a cruelty that has long been mired in abuse controversies. It stands as a monumental victory for protecting dogs and cats as companion animals, highlighting the powerful progressive consensus forged across New Zealand society.

The birth of this comprehensive ban was by no means an overnight achievement. Since 2013, civil society and animal protection groups in New Zealand have staged prolonged campaigns against systemic issues regarding dog welfare in the greyhound racing industry. Over the span of ten years, the New Zealand government commissioned three independent animal welfare reviews, each pointing out that the industry possessed structural flaws incompatible with maintaining canine welfare. Driven by a surge in public awareness—with recent polls showing up to 75% of New Zealanders openly opposing commercial racing—the bill ultimately passed Parliament with an overwhelming cross-party majority of 112 to 11 votes, officially putting an end to an industry that runs contrary to modern civilization.

The World Dog Alliance (WDA), which is dedicated to promoting the ban on eating dogs and cats globally, expresses its highest praise for this milestone. New Zealand has consistently played the role of a global pioneer in safeguarding animal rights. As early as 2015, New Zealand amended its Animal Welfare Act to become one of the first countries to enshrine the concept of "Sentient Beings" into law, explicitly recognizing that mammals and vertebrates—including dogs and cats—possess emotions, inner psychological lives, and the capacity to feel pain. This legislation not only led the world but fundamentally redefined the legal relationship between humans and animals.

Looking back at history, New Zealand has repeatedly demonstrated formidable leadership on the international stage in championing humanitarian and global safety treaties. Whether through its spearheading of the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act in 1987—which solidified its prestigious international status as a nuclear-free nation—or the launch of the Christchurch Call in 2019 led by former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to ensure global digital safety, an initiative backed by numerous nations and internet giants, New Zealand has proven its unwavering moral courage and international influence.

Genlin (Horiike Hiroshi), the founder of the World Dog Alliance, stated that New Zealand’s mature legal foundations in dog and cat welfare, coupled with its remarkable track record of rallying international treaties, make it one of the most ideal model countries for the WDA to strategically advocate for the implementation of the International Convention to Prohibit the Eating of Dogs and Cats. The WDA looks forward to seeing New Zealand extend this progressive humanitarian spirit into the international arena, elevating the universal value of protecting companion animals to a brand-new height.