Abandoned puppies testing SPCA

PUPPY LOVE: Gisborne SPCA manager Lindy Magee with Snooks, one of the puppies dumped last weekend on Kaiti Hill. Guido is still looking for a foster or forever home. Her advice for people thinking about getting a pet is, 'If you can't afford to care for an animal, don't get one.' Picture by Rebecca Grunwell

Gisborne SPCA manager Lindy Magee says it is time for Gisborne to do better by its animals, after rescuing a record number of dumped puppies last weekend.

Two puppies suffering from mange — a parasitic skin disease caused by microscopic mites — were found dumped on Titirangi/Kaiti Hill over the long weekend. Another, also covered in mange, was found at Te Araroa.

Lindy has named the puppies Guido, Snooks and Wednesday and all three are looking for foster homes.

They are recovering well but a simple Bravecto tablet could have prevented their suffering, Lindy says.

Ten more puppies, only two weeks old, were found dumped in a rubbish bag on the side of the road in Te Karaka on the same day.

These puppies require bottle feeding and a lot of care.

The litter has been separated into two groups and they are with foster families.

Gisborne SPCA is struggling to keep up with demand. Between the centre at Matawhero and foster homes in the community, it has 180 animals in its care.

“It costs a lot for their food, medications and vet bills and our resources are stretched,” Lindy says.

In another instance, two young boys spent the only money they had, $40, to buy a pup from a homeless man. They wanted to get the puppy to safety.

Another pup from the same litter was found dumped on the road this side of Tolaga Bay.

Lindy speculates that someone bought the puppy cheaply, then changed their mind afterwards and dumped it.

“We offer free desexing for cats and dogs, yet every week people do not show up for these appointments despite us confirming the day before.

“We are in the middle of another very big kitten season and we still have dogs and puppies being dumped.

“The free desexing service means there is no excuse for unwanted litters.”

Lindy says the SPCA is there to help sick, injured and vulnerable animals which don't have owners.

“We are a charity with limited funds and resources, yet every day we get phone calls asking us to pay for pet owners' vet bills.

“Your animal is your responsibility,” she says. “We currently have staff off sick so the extra pressure on our team is immense.”

Gisborne SPCA is to hold an information and recruitment day on Sunday, February 12, from 1pm.

Potential volunteers will learn about what is required of a volunteer.

“We'll explain the various volunteer roles we have available and do a full group health and safety induction.”

The SPCA is always looking for foster families and new owners for unwanted pets.

The overpopulation of animals is being felt around New Zealand and overseas due to a lack of desexing during Covid-19 restrictions.

“Desexing was not deemed an essential service for vets during the lockdowns and the result is a population explosion,” Lindy says.

“It's a global problem.”

She offered a simple piece of advice: “If you can't afford to care for an animal, don't get one.”