Earning an SPCA Certified blue badge

The SPCA Certified blue badge is very important to us – we want to ensure it is a trusted and steadfast assurance to consumers that the animals under the programme have been farmed or cared for to a higher level higher than what is required by law. We know that that is important to you too, and in order to hand on heart make this declaration by way of the SPCA Certified blue badge, members have a rigorous process to undertake.

When a farm or business first expresses an interest in becoming an SPCA Certified member, we send them the relevant standards document. Depending on the animal species, these are made up of a whopping 115 to 253 different requirements that cover nutrition, environment, health, and behaviour!

If a farm or facility believe they can meet these standards, they fill in an application form and send in their standard operating procedures and relevant policies. They also need to supply a comprehensive animal health plan, emergency and biosecurity plans, electrical and water testing results, and photographs of the farm or business environment. From the information provided, we conduct a ‘desktop audit’ of the records and paperwork-based certified standards, and check that all the procedures are in line with the requirements of the SPCA Certified standards.

Once the desktop audit is finalised, an SPCA Certified team member visits to assess the farm or business against the rest of the standards. This is a great opportunity to meet the owners and the team, to see how the staff interact with the animals, and get a more complete understanding of how the system works. If there are any issues, these are discussed on the day, with a view to finding the best solution for the system. The end goal is to work together to improve practices and facilities so the animals benefit.

When the farm or facility is at a point where they will meet (or exceed) the SPCA Certified standards, independent auditors (QCONZ) will audit the farm to the SPCA Certified standards. They are qualified and experienced auditors who go through every standard to the letter and ensure that everything is 100% compliant. If there is anything that isn’t quite right, they will let the owner know and give advice on how to rectify it. Once everything has been ticked off by the auditor, and the application has been reviewed by the wider SPCA team, the farm or facility is offered the chance to officially become an SPCA Certified member.

Don’t think it stops there though! Once the contract is signed, we set up a programme of regular audits, including an annual audit and up to three unannounced audits every year. On top of that, if there is a branded product with the SPCA Certified blue badge on it, we conduct audits of the supply chain, including slaughter (if applicable), processing, and packaging, to ensure traceability and to assure customers that the product with the SPCA Certified brand has come from an SPCA Certified farm.

We know that this is a rigorous and robust process that not everyone is willing or able to dedicate resources to – and that’s ok. We are looking for those people who are committed to doing what it takes to legitimately improve the welfare of the animals in their care - people who don’t mind us coming to check in on them to make sure that everything is as it should be, and who are invested in this animal welfare journey with us. So, when you do see the SPCA Certified blue badge, know that is has absolutely been earnt and that we will continue to work closely with farms and facilities to keep driving change!