Hastings SPCA Spring 2013 News - October 2013

H e l pi n g t ho s e who c an ’t s p ea k f or t he ms e l v es Spring 2013 Newsletter

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This is the time of year when we start to get really busy at the shelter. Spring means an increase in the number of kittens coming to us, and the next few months are also the busiest in regards to the events we organise.

There’s the Blessing of Animals Church Service, the Annual Appeal, A & P Show and Doggy Day Out, to name just a few. We hope that you’ll be able to support these events, either by coming along, or by assisting with collections etc. Much of the information is in this newsletter, but feel free to contact the Shelter if you’d like to know more. I hope that you enjoy this edition of the newsletter, and we look forward to seeing you at some of our events.

Sharon Arcus, President

“Although other animals may be different from us, this does not make them less than us” Marc Bekoff, Animals Matter

Do you have room in your home and your heart for a puppy like this guy? This litter of seven pups (1216 weeks old) fortunately made their way to the shelter after being abandoned by their owner. They will be medium sized dogs. Please do visit if you’re interested.

We’re looking forward to launching 2014 Wall Calendars and Christmas Cards very soon! Here’s a sneak peak at one of our models, the adorable and energetic Daffy - our photographer Abby, of ASH Photography, had lots of fun trying to get the best shots of our residents on the day of the photo shoot! Cards and Calendars will be available for sale from the shelter and other places, which we’ll announce shortly.

Doggy Day Out Sunday 17th November

We’re holding a fun-filled Doggy Day Out at Hastings Racecourse. Please join us - everyone’s welcome, particularly those with four legs.

The day’s all about having fun with your pooch, or meeting other peoples dogs if you don’t have one to call your own!

We have fun competitions for you to compete in, as well as raffles and spot prizes. For the kids there’ll be a bouncy castle, games and facepainting.

We’re lucky to have The Breeze team, and Waggs of More FM, joining in on the mic and entertaining us. You and your pooch can view agility in action and try a mini obstacle course. All being well the Hastings Police Dog Squad will be with us to lead a group walk around the Racecourse.

Last years event Above Egg & Spoon Race about to begin!

Top Right Winner of the Smallest Dog Competition.

Right Hastings Police Dog Squad leading the walk.

Entry is $5 for an individual, and $15 for a family.

The day begins at 12pm, at Hastings Racecourse, 200 Prospect Road. Approx finish time 3pm.

Proudly sponsoring this newsletter.

Cupcake Day happened on August 26th, and wow, what an amazing result. Although we’re still waiting for a final tally, we expect the amount raised to be around $8,000.

Heavens Bakery were the principal sponsors donating over 1,000 cupcakes to us to sell, and in addition, they made a very generous $1,200 donation! Other sponsors for this event were Bonnies Cupcakes, Hastings City New World and More FM. Our thanks also go to the Hastings Leader and HB Today for their coverage of the event. Last, but by no means least, our thanks go to our kind home bakers, and everyone who treated themselves to Cupcakes in the name of animal welfare!

Special mention for Frimley School for their fantastic efforts - the $2,500 they raised will benefit the ainmals so very much. The team at PKFCS also put in lots of effort and made very professional delights, raising over $700!

A n i m a l s

Breakers Quiz Night Breakers gave us their function room free of charge, along with a charismatic MC (who gave up her birthday evening!), for a challenging and entertaining quiz night in August.

The night was sold out, raffles were well supported, and spot prize competitions led for some embarrassing (but fun) moments for those who participated. Who would’ve thought that our President (also a Vet) could not do a decent horse impression! Everyone had fun and valuable funds were raised. Special thanks to Breakers for their support.

S P C A N AT I O N A L PAW S A P P E A L The SPCA Paws Appeal Week will be upon us shortly, over 4th - 10th November. It’s a great opportunity for us to get out and about, collect much needed coins, meet our supporters and encourage new supporters too. We desperately need volunteers to join our ‘Street Team’, to help us make the most of the week - if you’d like to offer your assistance we’d love to hear from you. Please contact Faye on 06 870 4133 or fundraising@spcahastings.org.nz

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Could you give an animal a second chance at happiness?

De lta

Black and white female.

She’s been at the shelter since 13th March after being abandoned in an orchard. She’s been waiting for a home for far too long if you ask us! She enjoys pats but is an independent lady.

So nya

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D o l ly

Black and white female.

She’s been at the shelter since 18th May. She’s smoochy and friendly. She looks like she’s had a tough start in life, can you make it up to her?

Tabby female. She’s been at the shelter since 11th May. She’s super friendly and loves being patted.

Energetic medium sized cross breed. Dolly’s roughly 7-8 months old.

She’s very tolerant of the current litter of seven pups at the shelter, letting them jump on her and nip her ears! Loves to play and snuggle.

Here’s a small snapshot of the many loving animals we have available for adoption. If you could offer an animal a safe and caring new home, please don’t hesitate to contact us. You can meet our residents daily, between 10.30am and 2.30pm.

The Hastings & Districts SPCA has been announced as a finalist in the Westpac Hawkes Bay Chamber of Commerce Business Awards (Not for Profit section). This is the first time we’ve submitted an entry and the other finalists in this section are Colenso College and Sport Hawkes Bay. Given how far we’ve come in the past year as far as improving our services and our finances after the return from administration, we’re hopeful of a good result. Winning the award would mean a great deal to the shelter, as it is more likely we will receive sponsorship from businesses. Judging is happening at the moment and the winners will be annouced in November. Wish us luck!

Join us as a collector at events - often you’re welcome to bring along your dog.

Contact Faye on 06 870 4133 or fundraising@spcahastings.org.nz

Vet Column

Kindly supplied by Dr Sharon Marshall of Veterinary Associates, Hastings.

A word about Guy Fawkes Day

Many of those connected with the SPCA would be opposed to Guy Fawkes because of the obvious distress it causes to our pets and farm animals.

Phobia to fireworks is one of the most common psychological conditions affecting our pets.

Unfortunately, it appears to be with us for a while yet, so here’s some helpful advice on what to do.

Firstly, help spread the word about the effect on animals.

Reduce private fireworks by not buying any for your family and friends and not attending a private display.

If you have animals, make sure that they’re inside well before dark on any of the nights that fireworks are more likely. Close the curtains and put on some noise, a TV or radio is enough.

Act naturally because animals can sense your anxiety. Don’t force them into a particular place or position. Let them find a quiet spot that feels safe, ensure that they feel able to escape that area if needed. Trapping an animal into a small space only increases their anxiety.

Don’t talk to your pets during the fireworks.

Telling them off will only increase their nervousness and strange as it sounds, soft, soothing talk only acts to reinforce their behaviour by acting as a ‘reward’.

Just act as normally as you can around them.

Plan well ahead. If you have a pet that usually gets anxious, visit your vet well before Guy Fawkes and discuss anti-anxiety medication. There are some good new treatments available that help reduce the stress, but some have to be started several days before fireworks to be helpful. It’s best not to plan to be on holidays during this period if you have an animal that is anxious with fireworks, and if they are really anxious, best to stay at home at night during the danger period if at all possible. (Usually the last weekend of October to mid November).

If you have a pet for which Guy Fawkes is a real issue, there are courses available with CDs to help habituate pets to the noises, and replace fear with positive responses. These work well over the long term, but this programme doesn’t work overnight and needs time and commitment.

Please feel free to approach your regular veterinarian if you have any questions regarding fireworks phobias.

Happy tail

After one long year at the shelter, Roxy finally went to a home of her own! After seeing her sad and sorry story on our Facebook page, a kind family visited the shelter to meet Roxy, and they decided she’d fit right in with them!

There are many animals, like Roxy, who spend a lot of time ‘in limbo’ living at the shelter, waiting patiently for someone fall in love with them. Whilst it was sad to say goodbye to Roxy after 12 months of bonding, the staff and volunteers couldn’t be happier she can now roam her own garden and rule the roost at home!

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A lovely day on Saturday 14th September made for a wonderful Blossom Parade, and your SPCA was represented by a large number of volunteers, many with dogs. Our trailer was covered in blossoms in the design of a cat and a dog, as well as our SPCA logo. This is a great event for raising public awareness of the shelter and animals, and fun was had by all who attended.

Adopt from the SPCA and save a life.

All of our animals are de-sexed, vaccinated, microchipped, flea and worm treated.

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Did you know..? In total there are around 400 million dogs in the world -- Pigs have an excellent sense of smell -- Dogs have superior hearing than humans, capable of hearing sounds at four times the distance -- Cats have powerful night vision, allowing them to see at light levels six times lower than what a human needs in order to see -- Horses and cows sleep while standing up -- Cats conserve energy by sleeping for an average of 13 to 14 hours a day

Can you find all of these words in the grid?

ADOPTION ANIMALRIGHTS AVIARY BARK CANINE CARE CAT COMMUNITY COMPASSION DOG EMPATHY FAMILY FARM FELINE FOOD FOREVERHOME HORSE HUTCH INSPECTOR KENNEL MEDICINE PLAY PURR RABBIT SHELTER STABLE VACCINATIONS VET WARMTH WELFARE

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We rely greatly on the kindness and generosity of others and we’re sincerely grateful to the many organisations and individuals who lend us a helping hand. If you’re able to help the shelter in any way, please contact Faye on our details overleaf.

Pub Charity granted funds for hygenic new cages for the cat rooms at the shelter. Eastern & Central Community Trust granted funds for Shelter Manager and Inspector Wages. Pam Torbett Charitable Trust and First Light Community Foundation granted us funding towards our very substantial Veterinary Fees.

New Zealand Community Trust granted us funds for staff uniforms. Flaxmere Licencing Trust – Trust House, granted funds for kitting out our Animal Ambulance with essential equipment. Working Together More Fund granted us funds to develop a Civil Defence Plan. Unison Networks Limited put $1,000 credit on our power account. IMS donated Magpie match tickets to us to sell.

In addition to those listed above, special thanks go to the following business for their support: HBS Bank, Mitre 10, Hawkes Bay Toyota, Westpac Bank, Hastings Leader, Vet Associates, People for Pets, Wayne Kirk Mitsubishi, Havelock North BNZ, Cape Kidnappers Radio, SpecSavers Hastings, Radius Medical, TriTech, HB Office Products, Breakers Hastings, Jaycar Electrical. Finally, a special mention for Mr and Mrs Molnar for their generous and substantial dontaion of goods to the shelter, the items donated will be ever so useful!

Getting in touch Web www.spcahastings.org.nz Facebook www.facebook.com/spcahastings Post PO Box 930, Hastings 4156 The RNZSPCA is Location 8 Heathcote Road, Hastings proudly supported by Shelter Hours Daily, 10.30am – 2.30pm Hills Science Diet Phone 06 878 8733 Email contact@spcahastings.org.nz Email committee@spcahastings.org.nz Become a member and support our work. Visit our website or contact the shelter to find out how.