Warm paws over winter thanks to student carpenters

Pictured with the new kennels for the SPCA are, back row (from left): Teawai Karati, Stephen Matchitt and Billy Joe Taiapa. Front: Tutor Ben Stevenson, Chantelle Abraham, Sidney Collier, Haykim Smith and Margaret Graham. Absent: Peter Haenga, Kaleb Hare and Amber Potroz. Picture supplied

Gisborne dogs will have a warmer winter, thanks to the generosity of the carpentry school at EIT Tairawhiti.

The carpentry students built five dog homes, which the SPCA will deliver to dogs in the community who do not have outside shelter.

EIT carpentry tutor Ben Stevenson said they had building materials left over from building dog kennels last year, plus other supplies that had been donated.

They thought what better way to make use of these materials than to create more dog shelters.

“We try to utilise the Level 2 carpentry course to do as much work for community groups as possible.”

It was also a great project for the carpentry students, said Mr Stevenson.

“It’s good experience, good use of a variety of tools, working to plans, plus the satisfaction of seeing an end product go to a good cause.

“It gives the students a sense of achievement.”

Gisborne SPCA’s new manager Lindy Magee says the SPCA only receives a small amount of government funding, so relies on the support of the Gisborne community.

As well as new management, the SPCA’s Matawhero Centre now has two full time animal welfare inspectors to respond to call-outs and investigate reports of welfare cases.

“Our Inspectors also home manage cases where owners need some assistance and guidance to improve the lives of their pets.

“As well as caring for animals in our shelter and adoptions, we also run education days at local schools and for community groups.”

SPCA is a charity that helps protect animals who are sick, injured, lost, abused or abandoned. Every year, the 40 SPCA centres across the country receive over 45,000 animals through their doors, as well as dealing with 14,000 animal welfare complaints.

It is the only charity with the power to prosecute people under the Animal Welfare Act 1999.