The public and animal rights groups have had their say at the first meeting on government's proposed changes to animal welfare laws.
The Ministry for Primary Industries hosted a public meeting in Wellington to get feedback on 85 rule changes, which include taking greater care of bobby calves and fining dog owners who leave their pets in hot vehicles.
Animal rights groups have released video footage of mistreatment of bobby calves and poor conditions for pigs in cramped birthing cages, and for caged chickens.
Deborah Ashton of animal rights group SAFE said it should not be left to them to expose bad conditions for animals.
There are four other public meetings around the country before public consultation closes on 19 May.