Principal Sponsor
Thanks to all who made the Harcourts SPCA Glamourpuss Ball & Charity Auction possible, and to those who took part! Newsletter Summer 2014
Welcome from the President
It’s with great pleasure that we share the work of the Hastings and Districts SPCA with you via this newsletter. If you’ve supported us previously we want to give you warm thanks for that past support. If you’re not currently a supporter or this is your first opportunity to read this newsletter, we invite you to take a close look at the work we do within the community. Thousands of animals depend on your local SPCA to assist and support their welfare, and we also help the people of the community through our work. But as a charity that has no Government support, we rely entirely of the generosity of individuals and the local community. One shining example of this is our very successful Cupcake Day which is held each August. Heaven’s Bakery baked 2,000 cupcakes free of charge for the two local shelters (using donated raw ingredients from local suppliers), and packaged them in beautiful boxes. Our dedicated team of supporters sold and delivered these, and the public assisted by purchasing them, or in some cases baking and selling their own. This fundraiser nets us approximately $6,000 each year and we couldn’t do this without everybody who steps in to help. That’s how it works. Coming up we have our Tree of Remembrance which is a wonderful way to remember those who’ve impacted on our lives, and this is held annually each Christmas. In addition, we have our gorgeous calendar to sell which is becoming an annual feature and is very popular. Our ‘pin ups’ are all animals who we’ve assisted this year and among the best looking you’ll find in any calendar! As we look forward to the end of the year, we remind everyone to think carefully about pets over the summer holidays. Watch pets in cars and try to avoid exercising in the heat of the day. Always supply plenty of fresh, clean water. If you have an unneutered animal, now is the time to get them fixed to avoid unwanted pets ending up on our doorstep. And along with this thread, never get a pet as a Christmas present unless you’re certain the new owner wants it and can care for it. If you’re thinking about going away, make sure you’ve made plans for caring for
your animals, with either a house sitter or cattery/ kennel. The latter means ensuring that vaccinations are up to date. Finally, as we’re approaching the end of the year, a specific mention of those who’ve assisted us during the year. We’re helped in what we do with the support of grants. Endeavour Community Foundation, Infinity Foundation, Flaxmere Licensing Trust, First Light Community Foundation and Eastern and Central Community Trust have been some of our biggest helping hands when we’ve needed them most, and other community groups have also helped. Harcourts have come on board as our major supporter and we look forward to developing this partnership further. Mitre 10, The Warehouse, Pak’n’Save, Countdown and New World are always very supportive of our bucket collections and other events and these assist greatly.
Our busy season is upon us, and our shelter is working hard to care for and re-home the many young animals arriving almost daily..
Our staff and volunteers work tirelessly to care for the animals at the shelter, ‘underpaid and overworked’ doesn’t come close to describing the hours they put in. In the background, barely ever noticed, is a committee of hard working individuals making sure that all the wheels keep turning. What keeps it all together? A strong bond of love and devotion to animals, and a determination to ensure that those that are abused, abandoned and neglected have a voice and a hand of love. You are welcome to join us. Sharon Arcus, President