Much-needed Christchurch dog rescue gets ratepayer grant for $2.7m expansion

Thursday, 2 July 2026

A Christchurch dog rescue will get $120,000 in ratepayer funds as it embarks on a $2.7 million development to more than double its capacity.

For more than 40 years Dogwatch Sanctuary has rescued and rehomed abandoned or surrendered dogs throughout Canterbury, but its facilities are no longer fit for purpose and demand for its services is growing.

Dogwatch Sanctuary Trust chairperson Mark Weaver said the organisation rehomed an average of 100 to 120 dogs a year, but was on track to exceed 150 this year.

It accepts dogs that city and district council pounds have been unable to rehome.

Dogwatch Sanctuary has 14 kennels and about 50 dogs on its books at all times.

The sanctuary has 14 kennels, which are more than 30 years old, and nearly always had about 50 dogs on its books either in its kennels, being fostered or with potential adopters.

Weaver said the existing facility was worn and tired and no longer fit for purpose.

The redevelopment would more than double its kennel capacity to 32 kennels. It would include two dedicated maternity units for mums and pups, isolation and recovery spaces, and a purpose-built volunteer hub.

Dogwatch on Dyers Rd receives no government or regular council funding.

The council’s animal control team supported Dogwatch’s funding bid, saying without Dogwatch the council service would be under far greater pressure.

“Shelter occupancy would rise, destruction rates would increase, and our team would face higher workloads responding to welfare complaints, roaming dogs, and unclaimed impounds.”

The council said Auckland City did not have a similar service to Dogwatch and put down more than 6000 dogs last year. In contrast, Christchurch City Council put down 27 dogs.

The project will replace the sanctuary's failing 30-year-old facility in Dyers Rd, with 24 modern kennels and attached yards, two dedicated maternity units and a volunteer hub.

Dogwatch, which receives no government or regular council funding, asked for $500,000 from the council, but staff recommended $120,000, which was unanimously supported by councillors at a council meeting on Wednesday.

Weaver said having the council support would give other potential donors some level of comfort that the redevelopment was not a “pie in the sky” idea.

He said the $500,000 would have been nice, but the trust was conscious of the cost pressures facing the council.

Dogwatch had a fundraising campaign ready to go, but had delayed its launch due to the spike in petrol prices and cost of living increases.

It would launch the campaign later this year and would target grants from philanthropic charities and individuals and commercial sponsorships.

Dogwatch already has $500,000 to contribute from its own funds.

Weaver said they hoped to break ground on the development in summer next year.

The council also decided to grant Specifically Pacific (SPACPAC) $200,000. Part of the money will be used to fund the Polyfest.

The council’s $120,000 has come from the capital endowment fund, which was created in 2001 from proceeds of electricity lines company Orion selling its North Island gas network.

The council also decided to grant Specifically Pacific (SPACPAC) $200,000 from the endowment fund.

It would use the money to deliver co-ordinated programmes to develop Pacific youth, including Polyfest.

The council said SPACPAC has a 25-year legacy of supporting Pacific youth through initiatives such as Polyfest, leadership programmes, careers expos, speech competitions, and youth awards.