4
Kapiti News
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
SPCA reconnects with adopted dogs
WARMER WINTER: Waikanae business owner James Davis with deserving Raumati mum Jenny Prenderville, who was gifted a suprise winter’s load of firewood on Saturday. PHOTO: CLOE WILLETTS / KAP030614CWFIREWOOD
Wood a wonderful surprise CLOE WILLETTS A Raumati mother saw “all her Christmases came at once,” over the weekend, thanks to a generous seasonally-inspired scheme from 24-year-old Waikanae business owner James Davis. Following May 14’s edition of Kapiti News, which ran a story asking for the public to nominate a family in need of a winter’s supply of firewood, solo mother of three Jenny Prenderville received the surprise $340 load. Ms Prenderville, who was nominated by fellow Paraparaumu Beach School parent Charmaine Lay, was dealt a difficult battle four years ago, when her 13-year-old son Sean was diagnosed with an
aggressive bone cancer. Having to give up her fulltime job, which eventually saw her lose her home, the deserving mother said her nomination stemmed from a “silly comment on Facebook.” “Someone asked what I would like most for Mother’s Day, and I said I’d just like something practical,” said Mrs Prenderville, who lived in Auckland’s Starship Hospital for a year-and-half following her son’s diagnosis. “I said my dream would be a load of firewood, so I can’t explain how fabulous this is.” Mr Davis, who recently opened Waikanae-based Kapiti Organic Landscape Supplies, said his generous initiative was about helping the community where he can. From the onset of his
nomination scheme, Mr Davis had his heart set on helping a solo mother, after seeing his mother work two jobs when he was a teenager “just to keep the lights on.” “Charmaine wrote us a very good letter about Jenny’s situation, and I knew she was the perfect person to help,” Mr Davis said. With Mrs Lay and her family on hand to help stack the 100 per cent organic wood, Ms Prenderville said the gift comes as a huge relief, because “there is nothing like keeping kids warm in the winter, particularly a sick one.” “We’ve got through this because there are some amazing people in this community, people like James,” Ms Prenderville said.
Kapiti SPCA held a reunion day event at Waikanae Park on Sunday. “This inaugural reunion event was our way of reconnecting with adopted dogs, their new owners and our community, celebrate the work we do and the kindness of those who have chosen to share their lives and give a second chance to an SPCA dog,” said inspector Peter McCallum. Kapiti SPCA has given over 600 dogs a second chance by finding them new homes in the Wellington region over the last five years. “Dogs have come to us from neglected and unloved situations, have been the victims of family break ups, developed behavioral problems through lack of training, or become a financial or unwanted burden in someone’s life.” The dogs are well looked after at the SPCA, desexed, vaccinated, microchipped, vet checked, behaviorally assessed — and thanks to council — registered. “Staff and volunteers ensure that while dogs are with us they receive stimulation and exercise and we thank the dedicated team of volunteers that come in daily — rain or shine — to provide our dogs with regular walks and play time.” Staff spend time talking to potential adopters about their lifestyle, future changes in their lives, financial ability and level of commitment before progressing to the trial adoption stage. “All of our potential adopters are offered a two-week trial adoption period to make sure that they have made the right decision and not only is the dog or pup they have picked right for them, but that they are truly prepared for the commitment and obligations that go with owning a dog,” Mr McCallum said. He said many dogs that came to the SPCA were badly traumatised, sometimes having come from abusive or neglectful situations, sometimes just traumatised by leaving the
BEST FRIENDS: Grace Standford, 6, with her SPCA dog Teddy, who she has had for three months. PHOTO: KAP020614DHSPCA familiarity of home and family. “We ensure these dogs receive extra care and attention and work slowly and carefully to help them readjust and develop or rediscover their confidence.” Unwanted litters of puppies regularly arrive and there was a lot of effort involved in feeding, cleaning and training. “We all know puppies are cute, but we have to ensure potential adopters realise the cute stage eventually wears off and they become a dog that may be part of your life for 15 years or more.” Kapiti SPCA, in Waikanae, is a small centre with the capacity for only six to eight dogs and puppies. “We set no time limit for dogs and once we have committed to an animal, we will do everything possible to ensure a positive outcome.” Mr McCallum said, “We are proud of what we do and feel not only have we made a difference to the lives’ of these dogs, but we have made a difference to our community by introducing temperamentally safe dogs into loving and responsible homes.”
WAXING AND THREADING CLINIC
& KAPITI MASSAGE THERAPY
Mat has started a new dental practice in Kapiti, and it’s going great . . . (apart from the phones not working). So we’ve had to change our phone number:
04 298-8889
Book your appointment now. New patients welcome. Surgery hours Mon–Fri 8.30am-5pm E: reception@matpdental.co.nz 29 Rimutaka Street, Paraparaumu (old Rocca showhome SH1)
www.matpdental.co.nz
Treating you the way we’d like to be treated!
Tan Special $40.00 expires 6th June. Instore Ball specials coming, see our Facebook.
04 297 0318 • www.devoirwaxingclinic.co.nz WAXING AND THREADING SPECIALISTS UPSTAIRS AT 302 KAPITI ROAD, CNR KAPITI/HURLEY ROADS PARAPARAUMU