Established in 2001 ARLAN is a national animal advocacy organisation made up of legal professionals from around New Zealand. 

The day to day running of ARLAN is coordinated by the Executive Committee which is based in Auckland.

What has ARLAN achieved so far? 

Legally Challenged Battery Hen Farming

Our challenge before Parliament’s Regulations Review Committee was a success. The Committee recommended that the Government review the Layer Hen Code of Welfare and ensure that it “compiles with the obligations of the Animal Welfare Act” and transition away from battery hen cages. 

Fought for Fairer Dog Control Laws 

ARLAN’s submissions convinced  Parliament  to soften  the “death  penalty” section of the Dog Control Act, which allowed councils  to put down any dog that ever ‘attacked’ anything – animal or  human.  The new law allows judges to consider a dog’s history and their likelihood of biting in future, before issuing a destruction order. 

Helped Ensure Better Animal Welfare Prosecutions 

In 2004 ARLAN co-hosted New Zealand’s first Animal Law Conference. Attended by over 100 animal welfare inspectors and prosecutors from around the country the conference focused on how to use the Animal Welfare Act 1999 in court to get results and make sure those who harm animals get the punishment they deserve. We believe this was a critical step in improving the treatment of animals in New Zealand. The Conference was part of ARLAN’s long-term strategy to ensure that  those who abuse animals get the punishments they deserve. 

Promoting the Study and Development of Animal Law

ARLAN also provides law students with training and experience in the field of animal law. ARLAN’s standing is now such that law students from Auckland University can gain course credit for the animal law related work they assist us with. 

“The  assistance  provided  by ARLAN’s  lawyers has helped me get the high  sentences  I  have achieved  as  a  SPCA prosecutor” 

Jim Boyd, SPCA Prosecutor (Bay of Islands) 

What does ARLAN Do? 

ARLAN works to help animals in four main ways: 

Law Reform 

ARLAN campaigns to improve animal protection laws, launches legal initiatives on behalf of animals and makes submissions on bills that affect animals.

Education 

ARLAN runs educational workshops and seminars on animal law issues.

Advocacy and Advice 

ARLAN provides legal assistance and advice to animal advocacy groups and prosecution agencies, such as SPCA’s.

Legal Scholarship 

ARLAN works to promote legal scholarship and debate in the field of animal law and the development of animal law courses at New Zealand.