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PURR-FECT FRIENDS: Tracy Thomas with Vanilla and Marmalade, two abyssinian/oriental cross cats that are up for adoption at the Whangarei SPCA.PICTURE / CHRIS RUDSDALE

Holiday hell for too many unwanted pets

Reprinted with permission from Northern Adovcate. Published 12 / 01 / 09
by Imran Ali

The flow of unwanted and neglected animals continues to keep Northland SPCA staff busy. Almost 3000 animals were rescued in the region last year. In Whangarei, six or seven animals were accepted daily last year - piling more pressure on the overcrowded pens on Kioreroa Rd.

The number represented a decrease of about 300 compared with 2007, as a de-sexing programme had helped significantly.
Many of the cases last year involved neglect or cruelty, while in other cases owners simply could not afford to look after their animals.

SPCA Whangarei manager Francine Shields said 550 cases of alleged neglect or cruelty and 150 emergency cases were attended by Whangarei staff in 2008.
About $105,000 was spent on veterinary expenses last year in Whangarei.
Total expenses of more than $500,000 weighed heavily against donations of $175,000.

Ms Shields said January was the peak season for animals, usually cats and kittens, but their numbers were kept under control through de-sexing. With about 140 animals under its care, she said to receive at least one animal a day more put pressure on her staff.
Generally, one-third of animals taken into SPCA care are re-homed.
``There has been an increase in the number of people not being able to care for their animals financially, and some of these cases are genuine,'' Ms Shields said.

She said SPCA took animals under its care only as a last resort and in situations where they were at risk.