SPCA Pet Insurance Future Animal Carer’s Grant

Overview

SPCA is New Zealand’s most recognised and best-loved animal welfare organisation. At SPCA Pet Insurance, we are dedicated to helping pets and their owners lower the costs of pet ownership by providing flexible dog and cat insurance options to help reduce the cost of vet bills. By purchasing a SPCA Pet Insurance policy, pet owners are also supporting the great work of SPCA, helping vulnerable animals across the country.

We understand that qualified Veterinarians and Veterinary Nurses are essential in assisting with the protection and maintenance of pet health. For that reason, we aim to provide support to people who are interested in getting into roles which are related to Veterinary Medicine, Animal Care and Animal Sciences by providing the SPCA Pet Insurance Future Animal Carer’s Grant (the Grant).

Availability

This Grant is offered annually to one person. Applications for the 2024 Grant are now closed and applications for the 2025 Grant is open until 31 October, 2025.

The Grant

The value of this Grant is NZD $5,000 (total amount). This amount is paid as a one-off payment to the Winner.

Eligibility criteria

• To be eligible, you must be a domestic undergraduate enrolled full-time in an accredited New Zealand Tertiary Education Institution and studying for a certificate, diploma, degree or traineeship in evidence-based animal care that aligns with SPCA’s organisational position in any of the following areas:
  • Veterinary Medicine;
  • Veterinary Science;
  • Veterinary & Life Sciences;
  • Animal Care;
  • Veterinary Nursing;
  • Animal Studies;
  • Animal Sciences;
  • Animal Nutrition;
  • Veterinary Technology; or
  • Any other courses leading to similar careers as an animal carer or pet health specialist (subject to approval).
• Only citizens or permanent residents of New Zealand can apply.
• You must be 18 years of age or over to apply.
• Employees of SPCA, Hollard, PetSure, SPCA Pet Insurance, or Greenstone Financial Services NZ Limited, and their immediate family members including a spouse, de-facto spouse, parent, guardian, child or sibling, are ineligible to apply.
• Entrants must abide by the Terms and Conditions for an entry to be deemed eligible.

The challenge

To apply for the SPCA Pet Insurance Future Animal Carer’s Grant, you’ll need to write an essay (maximum 500 words) on why you want to work in your selected industry and the difference you hope to make in your particular field of study.

We’re looking for submissions that reflect a true desire to improve animal welfare. It doesn’t have to be great prose (just honest and from the heart), so start thinking about the real reasons you’ve chosen the career path you have and then put them into words.

How to apply

All applicants must email the following documentation to grants@spcapetinsurance.co.nz for their submission to be considered:

• Proof of Identification;
• Proof of enrolment, including course name, tertiary institution name and enrolment status;
• Your response (max word count 500 words); and
• Contact details (including residential address).

Selection process

The Winner of the Grant will be selected and awarded by a panel of judges from the SPCA Pet Insurance team in their absolute discretion, on the basis of the entry that best grasps the challenge. The panel for the 2025 Grant will convene from 15 November, 2025.

Important dates

• 15 February, 2025: Program launched and open for submissions.
• 31 October, 2025: Submissions close.
• 1 December, 2025: Winner to be notified via email and phone (if number is provided).
• 31 January, 2026: Deadline for Winner to supply all supporting documentation.
• 2 February, 2026: Winner announced on the website.

Notification

The Winner of the 2025 Grant will be notified by email and phone, with their name published on our website on 2 February, 2026.

Please be aware that if we are unable to get in contact with the Winner within four weeks of our initial contact attempt (on approximately 1 December, 2025), that Winner forfeits the Grant, and we will then select another Winner.

If you have any queries regarding the Grant Program or wish to obtain a copy of the terms and conditions for previous Grants, please contact us via email at marketingenquiries@greenstone.com.au

By participating in this Grant Program you agree to the Terms and Conditions of the Grant Program including cooperation with marketing and promotional requests made by The Promoter. See full Terms and Conditions.