Kiwi Bird Shaped Dog Toys Removed from Store Shelves in New Zealand

A chain of New Zealand hardware stores, Mitre 10, has removed dog toys shaped like kiwi birds from their shelves. The kiwi bird is New Zealand’s national bird; the country is the only place in the world where these birds are found. The move was prompted by an outcry from conservationists. 

Kiwi birds are unusual. The smallest member of the ratites, the brown birds cannot fly. Conservationists warn that this makes them particularly vulnerable to being attacked by dogs. This is what led to the kiwi-shaped toys being pulled from shelves. Complainants found the toys offensive in light of the kiwi bird population decline and their significance to indigenous communities and New Zealanders at large. However, they have acknowledged that the toys bear only a passing resemblance to real-life kiwi birds. 

In recent years, conservationists have worked hard to stabilize kiwi bird populations. To this end, they do not want to promote the idea that it is okay for dogs to attack or mouth the birds. 

Kiwi birds face many threats to their survival. These include predation by roaming or feral dogs, habitat loss, and predation by other animals. 

We encourage everyone thinking of getting a pet to adopt instead of shop. Read more resources about adopting animals on One Green Planet, including 7 Reasons to Adopt Your Next Furry Best Friend, 5 Reasons Why Everyone Should Adopt a Pet, and These Heartwarming Before and After Pictures of Adopted Rescue Animals Will Make Your Day! Read tips for pet adoptions and what to consider before adopting an animal. We recommend using these apps to find shelter dogs near you!

Ahimsa by Tiny Rescue: Animal Collection

Related Content: 

• How Climate Change Is Affecting New Zealand’s Maori Community 
• New Zealand’s Massey University Pledges to Stop Animal Testing When Possible
• New Zealand’s Innovative Approach to Food Security: Lab-Grown Fruit
• Mysterious Mass Stranding of Dolphins Shakes New Zealand’s North Island
• Thin Plastic Bags Will Be Banned in New Zealand

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!