Animal control vehicles aren’t just another fleet fitout.
They need to safely transport animals, support staff working in unpredictable environments, make cleaning and hygiene straightforward, and provide practical access to equipment — often during roadside call-outs and in challenging conditions.
That’s exactly what Camco set out to achieve when developing purpose-built Animal Control Ute and Van Fitouts for SPCA New Zealand.
Working directly with the SPCA team, we took a collaborative approach to the design — looking at the problems staff encounter in the field and developing practical solutions around the way the vehicles are actually used.
As Dr. Corey Regnerus-Kell, General Manager – Animal Services, SPCA New Zealand, puts it:
“…a pretty impressive product to support both the animals and our staff on the road every day.”
Designing around the job — not the other way around
Before production began, Camco developed concept plans and drawings for SPCA to review and sign off.
The designs then went through several rounds of feedback and refinement before the final specification was quoted and approved.
That process matters.
Rather than asking SPCA staff to adapt the way they work to suit an off-the-shelf fitout, we were able to refine cage dimensions, access, storage, drainage, ventilation and other features around their operational requirements.
Where possible, we also adapted proven Camco designs rather than unnecessarily reinventing them. This helped reduce the number of unique components required, simplify manufacture and keep both cost and turnaround under control.
The result is a range of fit-for-purpose vehicles designed to help animal control teams contain, care for and transport animals more safely — including in challenging roadside and field environments.
Animal Control Van: safer transport, easier cleaning
One of the first challenges with the van fitout was simple on paper, but critical in practice: the cages had to fit through the vehicle’s tapered rear door opening while still providing the dimensions SPCA needed for animal handling.
Rather than compromising with a generic cage size, Camco reworked the cage dimensions for the vehicle, adjusting depth and height in response to SPCA feedback while retaining the ability to fully extend the cages for cleaning.
The two aluminium cages are mounted to a Rollatable sliding base, allowing staff to slide the cage assembly in and out rather than having to lift heavy cages from the vehicle.
We also addressed another everyday challenge — cleaning.
The cage floor was designed with a slope, drain and removable bung, allowing waste and cleaning fluid to drain rather than pool inside the cage. It’s a relatively simple design detail, but one that can make cleaning between animals faster and more thorough.
Animal welfare in transit was another key consideration. The van specification incorporates rooftop air conditioning for temperature control within the animal compartment, along with ventilation.
The wider fitout makes practical use of the remaining load space, including a Rolaworx 1650 x 900 split drawer and shelf system, rubber matting and a rear restraint point — keeping essential animal-control and field equipment organised and accessible.
Animal Control Ute: built for challenging field environments
The ute presented a different set of challenges.
Built around a Camco Maxideck integrated service body, the Animal Control Ute uses a dual-pod system providing four individual fixed cage spaces, plus a removable rear cage.
The internal cage design was refined to a simpler square profile, reducing unnecessary weight and component count without compromising its function.
Each cage also incorporates a removable drainage tray in the base. Rather than relying on permanent plumbing, staff can simply remove the tray, empty it and clean it — another example of designing around what happens after an animal has been transported.
Safe animal handling was central to the design.
Lockable slam-shut latches, secondary latching and door holdbacks help staff prepare the cage before bringing an animal to the vehicle. External food trays mean animals can be fed without opening the cage, while removable separation boards allow animals to be transferred between compartments and through to the front cages when required. At the rear, a 300kg manual tail lift raises the removable cage to deck height, where it can slide into the body and lock securely into position.
Safer for staff on the roadside
Animal control work doesn’t always happen somewhere convenient.
Vehicles may need to operate roadside, at night or in confined environments, so staff safety and equipment access were important parts of the ute design.
On the driver’s side, Camco’s VertiSafe door opens vertically rather than swinging out into the roadway, reducing the amount of space the open door occupies beside the vehicle.
A dust-resistant underdeck drawer provides dedicated storage for dog poles and other long equipment, keeping it protected but quickly accessible. Interior LED lighting helps staff locate equipment and work around the vehicle during night call-outs.
Other practical features include lead hooks, hand-wash facilities, custom shelving, ventilation, central locking, door alarms and a continuously operating rear-view camera.
Better outcomes through smarter design
For us, this project demonstrates what a fit-for-purpose vehicle should be.
It isn’t about adding as many features as possible. It’s about understanding the job, identifying the frustrations or risks in the current setup and engineering practical ways to solve them.
For SPCA, that meant cages that fit the vehicle and their operational needs, easier cleaning, better temperature control, safer roadside access, organised equipment storage and designs that reduce unnecessary weight and complexity.
And because different fleets and animal control teams have different requirements, the system isn’t locked into one configuration. Cage layout, storage and supporting equipment can be tailored around the vehicle, fleet and operational requirements.
The van fitout can likewise be configured around vehicle model, fleet requirements and operational use, bringing animal containment, storage and the wider vehicle fitout together as one integrated solution.
Built for the realities of animal control work
From transporting animals safely to making life easier for the people doing the job, every part of the Camco Animal Control Unit has been considered with its working environment in mind.
Safer handling. Smarter access. Practical storage. Easier cleaning.
That’s what fit-for-purpose looks like.
Need an Animal Control Unit built around your fleet and the way your team works?
Talk to Camco about a purpose-built Animal Control Ute or Van Fitout for your organisation.
