I am thrilled & honoured to be joining the New Zealand Anti-Vivisection Society as the new Executive Officer. My name is Jade Pengelly, and I hope that we will have the chance for many engaging & thoughtful conversations together.

I have been an animal lover for as long as I can remember – some of my first memories are of watching the neighbours horses through the fence with fascination and awe. It was only natural that I would fall into a career that involved animals, and I have had a fulfilling 11 years working in the veterinary industry. I started out as a vet nurse, before moving into lecturing, practice management, and finally business management consulting. As a Registered Veterinary Nurse, my passion has been to care for and nurture animals back to health. As I move into this role, I am eager to continue to help animals in a different, but incredibly meaningful way.

Since the NZAVS began in 1978, the organisation has been able to make a significant impact, thanks to your generous support. 

Your belief in our cause has helped us to:

• Ban cosmetic testing on animals in New Zealand.
• Campaign against the harmful use of animals in research.
• AgResearch, one of NZ's key Crown Research Institutes updated their public Code of Ethical Conduct (a legally binding document) which states that their Animal Ethics Committee will "not consider an application that includes the Porsolt Swim Test", 40 institutes across Aotearoa New Zealand will not be able to use this cruel test.
• Support research into non-animal testing methods, such as in vitro testing, computer modelling, and other humane alternatives. This has contributed to a fast growing shift toward more ethical research in New Zealand. 
• Work with institutes across Aotearoa, resulting in Massey University publicly committing to replacing the use of animals for science as technology permits.

In addition, last year we released our 'Bright Future Report,' which highlights impressive alternatives to using animals for research that provide greater accuracy for humans. Going forward, our mission at NZAVS will be to highlight even more of these exciting research alternatives that do not involve the use of animals.

As a valued supporter, your voice truly matters to me. That's why my first priority is to send you a short survey—to hear directly from you. I want to understand what inspires you to support our organisation, and how we can ensure your generous donations are making the impact you want. Please keep an eye out for the survey in your inbox in the coming weeks. Your feedback will help shape our path in 2025, and we can't do it without you.

As I step into this role, I want you to know that I am dedicated to ensuring that your generous contributions continue to have a significant impact. I look forward to connecting with many of you in the coming months, and I welcome your thoughts, feedback, and ideas as we continue to advance our mission together. I am excited for the opportunity to lead us into the next chapter of our mission, knowing that with your support, we can continue to push for a better life for animals in Aotearoa.

NZAVS has a powerful history, and I am committed to building on this foundation with you to create lasting change, and the journey to make an even greater difference.