PONSONBY PEOPLE + THEIR PETS
SPCA AUCKLAND STILL OPPOSES ANIMAL TESTING ALWAYS HAS DONE, ALWAYS WILL DO There has been some misinformation floating around about the SPCA’s position on animal testing recently. Looks like it’s time to clear the air. SPCA Auckland is completely opposed to animal testing of anything in any shape or form. We have campaigned in the past and will continue to campaign in the future to oppose animal testing. Clear enough? You can take my word for all of that - I’m CEO of SPCA Auckland, the largest SPCA in New Zealand. How did any confusion arise? It appears to stem from the participation of our National President, Bob Kerridge, in a Government Advisory Committee. This was a small group of high-powered experts invited to advise the Government on the safety testing regime for the Psychoactive Substances Bill. Even before Bob said ‘yes’ to this invitation, he made it absolutely clear to the minister and the committee that his position and the position of the RNZSPCA is ‘no animal testing’. He presented to the committee at least 30 different alternatives to animal testing and did everything he could to convince them that no animal testing was necessary or acceptable. Unfortunately he failed. However, his influence did convince the committee to severely restrict the animal testing allowed and to promote the use of alternative, non-animal, tests. But that’s not the end of the story. SPCA Auckland has and will continue to ask the public to join us in lobbying against animal testing. Please be assured that we will continue to do this until the right outcome is achieved for the animals. Find out more at www.spca.org.nz. (CHRISTINE KALIN, CEO of SPCA Auckland) PN
HARRYS BIG ADVENTURE RACHAEL ANTUNOVICH IS A LOCAL RESIDENT, WITH A GREAT STORY TO TELL ABOUT HER marvellous cat Harry. Two days after he was published in the Ponsonby News, fame must have got to him for he went missing for three days. Usually three days is normal for a cat to wander but Harry never misses dinner time. We wandered up and down our street, around the corners and put fliers up everywhere. We even used the photo you published in Ponsonby News, in case someone recognised him. We live on a main road, so I was beside myself with fear I had lost him. Then magically, on the third night, like a mother knows her babies cry, I heard him answering my call. Searching everywhere - up trees, under cars, in bushes - a man came running over to us from across the road and said a cat is stuck under his car in their carport, they heard cries for two days but because they just brought home two new kittens thought nothing of it. Well, it was my baby Harry and he is now safe at home. He definitely keeps within the gate and always shows up in time for dinner. He was definitely recognised as Harry from Ponsonby News. Harry, pictured on the night I found him. He wouldn’t leave my side. PN (RACHAEL ANTUNOVICH)
THIA IS UNITED WITH HIS OWNERS Thanks to Ponsonby News, the lovely Richmond Road cat, featured in June Ponsonby News, has been reunited with his grateful owners, Jenny Linton and her boys, Lyall and Deacon. The Richmond Road cat turns out not to be called ‘Fluffy Bum’, but actually is called Thia and he went missing in November when the Linton family moved from Sackville Street to Larchwood Avenue. Not far in human terms, but house moves are potentially stressful for territorial cats. Thia and his brother Obi, who went AWOL at the same time and sadly, Obi remains missing. Jenny Linton hopes Obi (who looks very similar to Thia) has found a kind family and she would love to know if he is alive and well. To help settle Thia and ensure he stays in the family’s new home Jenny will be keeping him inside for at least two weeks and is using a synthetic feline facial pheromone diffuser. Thai was happy to be back with his family and all his familiar things including his very favourite sleeping blanket namely Jenny’s woollen cardigan! Thia says, “thank you Ponsonby News for helping me find my way back to my family” says, Penelope Flack, who looked after the cat for quite a long period. PN
92 PONSONBY NEWS+ July 2013
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)