Friday 10th December 2021
Page 15
SPCA CHRISTMAS WISH LIST Kelsea Nelson-Cummins, originally from Hororata and a well-known actress in Kirwee Players and Rolleston Centre Stage productions works for the SPCA in a Fundraiser/Community and Giving Support role. She is often seen on TV giving updates on the SPCA. The News contacted her to see how people could help the animals this year. Christmas is a busy time for most people and businesses, and it’s no different for the SPCA. They have an important role to play in the local community, and their operation would not be possible without your support. Together this Christmas, we can help the animals that so desperately need it! Did you know that the SPCA receives just 5% Government funding? So much of what they do depends on the generosity of people in the community. It is only possible to help the tens of thousands of animals who come through the doors at the SPCA each year because of generous people like you. At the local SPCA Christchurch Centre, there are a few items they are in particular need of this Christmas. Their dogs are in desperate need of food enrichment items like kongs, food mats, etc. – things to keep the dogs’ minds occupied. Also, with the weather getting noticeably hotter, old plastic shell pools are always welcome
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too! SPCA have all sorts of animals in their care, and they are desperate for small shelters (sized for sheep/goats, etc) as well, so if you have any lying around your property collecting spider webs and dust, consider giving it a new life and donating it to animals who need it this Christmas. Additionally, SPCA is always grateful for any donations of goods for use at the animal centres. If you're looking to donate items, they are always in need of: • Cat/kitten toys (plastic is best as it's easy to disinfect), ping pong balls and fabric tunnels • Dog/puppy toys, tough rubber toys, such as the kong brand are best • Rabbit/Guinea pig enrichment items, such as fleece tunnels/ tiles/hay racks/feed balls; and toys (hard plastic baby toys work perfectly) • Interactive or slow feeders and food bowls • Litter trays and cat litter • Scratching posts
An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain. Kangaroos can't fart. Giraffes have no vocal chords. A cow gives nearly 200,000 glasses of milk in a lifetime. Dogs can smell cancer. It takes a sloth two weeks to digest its food. Bees can detect bombs. The heart of a shrimp is located in its head. A snail can sleep for three years. Slugs have four noses. A rhinoceros' horn is made of hair. Elephants are the only animal that can't jump. It is possible to hypnotize a frog by placing it on its back and gently stroking its stomach.
Carry cages (ideally toploaders with a plastic bottom and wire top so we can clean them to a high standard) • Kids' plastic climbing frames • Dog kennels and beds • Rabbit hutches • Collars • Blue shell pools • Old newspapers • Towels, sheets, duvet covers and blankets (especially polar fleece blankets), but please NO duvet inners, pillows or pillowcases, mattresses, bean bags or electric blankets • Dishwashing detergent and washing powder • Unopened pet food that we can give out to the community, particularly wet kitten and puppy food. Every little bit counts! For other ways to help and more information on all things SPCA, jump online at www.spca.nz. The team at SPCA Christchurch wants to wish everyone (furry and not!) a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy holiday! •
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♦ Whale songs can be used to map out
the ocean floor. ♦ A housefly hums in the key of F. ♦ Sea otters hold each other’s paws
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when they sleep so they don’t drift apart. Cows can sleep standing up, but they can only dream lying down. The leg bones of a bat are so thin that no bat can walk. At birth, a panda is smaller than a mouse and weighs about four ounces. Animals with smaller bodies and faster metabolism such as chipmunks and squirrels see in slow motion. Dogs’ sense of smell is about 100, 000 times stronger than humans’. However, they have only one-sixth our number of taste buds.
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03 318 8227
