The Chained Dog Awareness
New Zealand Charitable Trust (CDANZ)
We are officially registered under CC37098, is dedicated to changing the lives of chained dogs across New Zealand. We educate owners and push for better welfare laws, all to ensure these dogs get the freedom they deserve.
The harsh reality of a chained dog
Water and Shelter: Rarely provided, with little to no proper shelter
Food: Given sporadically, only when the owner remembers
Health Care: No flea or worm treatments; often unregistered, unvaccinated, and not neutered
Living Conditions: Surrounded by their own faeces, with no regular cleaning
Human Interaction: Minimal to none; these dogs are mostly ignored
Exercise: Nonexistent; they lack even the basic collars or leads for walks
Perception: Chaining is seen as normal by many, passed down through generations
Awareness: A complete lack of understanding about what dogs truly need to thrive
Raising awareness about chained dogs in NZ
The harsh reality is that the average chained dog lives only about 18 months. Their short lives are plagued by dehydration, malnutrition, pest infestation, blood poisoning, excessive breeding, and zero medical care—not to mention a complete lack of exercise.
It doesn't matter the size, from the largest guard dogs to the smallest lap dogs, many end up chained behind buildings, under bushes, or on bare patches of dirt and concrete. They're hidden away under houses, never to feel sunlight, walk on grass, or enjoy human contact.
These dogs live in silence, hardly ever barking, making them nearly invisible in their suffering. Many are relentlessly used for breeding, with thousands suffering in silence across the country.