Hastings SPCA Winter 2015 News

Winter 2015

Inside this Issue

> A Happy Tail for Emmie > Events Diary

> Message from the Chair > Vet News > Animals for Adoption > Shelter News > Quote to Reflect > Wish List > Be part of our Calendar > Honours Board > Contact Us > Grant Providers > What does the SPCA do?

Events Diary

Quiz Night Fri 26th June, Breakers Hastings

Harcourts SPCA Glamourpuss Ball Sat 1st

August, Old Church Meeanee

SPCA Cupcake Week

Mon 24th – Sat 29th August

BBQ Sat 5th Sept,

Warehouse Hastings

Blossom Parade Sat 12th

Sept, Hastings CBD

Golf Tournament Fri 18th Sept, Hawkes Bay Golf Club

A Happy Tail for Emmie After nine long months, Emmie finally finds her forever home!

Every now and then we have an animal with us for an exceptionally long time, often for no reason other than the right family simply hasn’t found them yet. Emmie was one of those animals, resident at the shelter for nine long months, but now happily living with Mike and Rusty, along with their kitten Carter, and we’re delighted as they make a perfect family!

Mike was initially considering adopting a couple of small dogs, but upon meeting Emmie, realised that she’d been the only dog he’d connected with. Mike took Emmie for walks and spent some ‘man/dog time together’, and when he brought Rusty to meet her too, the deal was sealed!

When asked whether the prospect of adopting a dog who’d been overlooked for such a long time caused any concerns, Mike replies that his only concern was that no one else had adopted her much sooner.

Emmie now enjoys three walks a day, company from Carter, snuggles on her families laps, and all the love she deserves. Read more about Emmie’s story at spcahastings.org.nz We have another long time resident at the moment, a gentle and loving girl named Poppy who’d also make a truly wonderful family pet (see header image and page 3).

Proudly sponsoring this newsletter

Principal Sponsor

Message from the Chair

It is with great delight that I introduce myself to you as the new President of SPCA Hastings & Districts. I would like to thank Sharon Arcus for the amazing amount of dedication and time which has been given by Sharon to the Shelter over the past three years, as well her continued support.

We have recently welcomed Cynthia Repko as our new Shelter Manager, you can read more on page 3.

One of the first focus points for the Committee and Shelter Manager to achieve this period is the correct staffing and best care practices for animals entrusted to our care.

As well as a dedicated focus on public relations and our positive engagement with the public, which ultimately will lead to a growth in volunteers, public education, training of the care of animals, as well as an uptake in donations and financial support.

Our organisation fundamentally is a charity, however it is still a business and we must ensure that current ethical approaches and best practice for the animals, volunteers and supporters/donors are implemented, to enable sustainability and the greatest return on our financials.

We look forward to continued support from our corporate sponsors such as Harcourts and through targeted campaigns with the support of Mitre 10 and Countdown amongst other valuable partners.

For everyone involved in SPCA, striving to do the best and be the best for our animals, volunteers, sponsors and financial supporters is our focus.

D o g B i t e P re v e n t i o n We e k w a s d u r i n g t h e l a s t w e e k o f M a y. Did you know...

That a very high percentage of reported dog bites around the world are towards children, and most of which are by dogs that the child is familiar with i.e. their own pet, or a friend or relative’s dog.

Dogs show very subtle signs when they’re uncomfortable in a situation. All too often people don’t notice these subtle signs, and inadvertently put dogs in a position where they’re only left with one next option and that is a bite.

It’s important for us all to be aware of the right and wrong ways of approaching and handling a dog, whether it’s a dog we already know or not.

Before we even approach a dog, we should ALWAYS ask the owners permission first, this goes for children especially so.

The following graphic shows actions and behaviours we should avoid so as not to encourage a stressful or fearful response.

Meredith Marshall, President Being a member is a valuable way to support the shelter.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us or visit our website for a membership form.

Shelter News

We recently welcomed Cynthia as our new Shelter Manager. The wealth of experience Cynthia has to bring to our organisation is inspirational, and with her engagement to this role you will see a systematic approach to leading the shelter into the next phase of growth and development. As these strategic and operational plans are confirmed, we look forward to updating you on their implementation.

Be part of our 2016 Calendar!

A great gift for yourself or pet loving friends and family - head to TradeMe to bid on the month of your choice, and your pet will be professionally photographed by Kelly Hosken Photography.

All pets will receive up to three digital images from the shoot and a complimentary calendar.

The TradeMe link can be found on our website, spcahastings.org.nz

Fo rev er

ident!

All beings seek for happiness; so let your compassion extend itself to all. -Mahavamsa

Reflect...

homes

neede d

long time res

M i l l a - Smoochy girl

J O Y - shy & affectionate

ident! long time res

ident!

long time res

H o l l y - happy but shy P A R I S - relaxed girl

ident!

long time res

P o p p y - gorgeous girl Z i g g y - Loves a fuss

M e a g a n - kitten

C i n d y - loving girl

Follow us on Facebook to keep up to date with news and events facebook.com/SPCAHastings

Honours Board

Hastings Bridge Club

Our thanks to everyone who helps the shelter - we couldn’t operate without your time, donations & generosity.

S o . . . t h e

W h a t S P C A

The SPCA is the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The SPCA began in London in 1824, and later gained Royal patronage in 1837.

When the SPCA began in the UK, the focus for it’s members was on working animals who had very poor welfare, such as ‘pit ponies’ who worked in coal mines, and draught horses used for pulling barges, carriages and trams. Later, the SPCA worked to help the millions of animals enlisted to serve alongside British, Commonwealth and Allied forces.

The focus of the SPCA has changed with the times, and today it’s our work with pets that we’re best known for.

The Hastings SPCA provides refuge for abused, neglected, The RNZSPCA is proudly supported by:

d o e s d o ?

sick, unowned (stray) and unwanted animals.

As we don’t receive any Government funding, Lotteries funding, or operational funding from our National Office, we’re 100% reliant on donations and support from you - our community. Because of the limited amount of resources the SPCA has, our main focus therefore is on animals who have no-one to care for them, such as the very young or very old, the injured or unwell, and those who are in any way suffering.

We provide an Emergency Animal Ambulance for animal welfare emergencies which operates 24/7, and our Inspector investigates complaints relating to all species of animal.

Read more about our work next issue!

Thank you to our Grant providers

We wish to acknowledge the support and generosity of the following Trusts: Crawshaw Milligan Trust $3,000 towards vet fees Lion Foundation $5,000 towards vet fees Doris Partridge Charitable Trust $1,000 towards Animal Attendant salaries NZ Companion Animal Trust $1,300 for animal microchips Mazda Foundation $1,650 for a laptop for education visits

Getting in touch with us Visit us 8 Heathcote Road, Hastings Shelter Hours 10.30am – 2.30pm, Daily Write to us PO Box 930, Hastings 4156 Ph 06 878 8733 Email contact@spcahastings.org.nz

Principal Sponsor

www.spcahastings.org.nz spcahastings

Adopt from the SPCA and save a life.

Our animals are de-sexed, microchipped and have had their first vaccinations.