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Too many animals and not enough homes...

Full House puts deadly pressure on SPCA

Northern Advocate 07/05/08
By Andre Hueber

It’s raining cats and dogs down at the Whangarei SPCA, with the organisation worried it may have to put many down if more people don’t adopt.

Whangarei SPCA manager Francine Shields said not enough people are adopting, and there’s a limit to space with more than 30 cats and 17 dogs in-house.

“People who decide they can’t afford to look after their animal any more and expect to leave it at the SPCA to be adopted out will be refused admission. There’s no room left. We don’t have enough people adopting, and animals become institutionalised when they’re locked up for too long.”

She says her staff have been abused by member of the public who don’t like the idea of their pet being euthanised.

“That’s why we’re telling them to take them home again and find another solution.”

She says the SPCA’s priority (and the reason why it exists) is caring for animals who have been abused or are sick or injured.

“The community like us to carry out the adoption service, but our key function is animal welfare.”

Northland has the worst animal cruelty record in New Zealand and Ms Shields thinks socio-economic factors are to blame. “Add to that laziness and irresponsibility.”

In the last year, Whangarei SPCA’s accident and emergency service received more than 750 complaints.

Ms Shields said most staff were on a minimum wage and worked at the SPCA because they loved animals. “Putting down animals goes completely against their personal ethics, but it’s better than having them unwanted in the community.”