Holiday hell for too many unwanted pets

The flow of unwanted and neglected animals continues to keep Northland SPCA staff busy.
Almost 3000 animals were rescued in the region last year. In Whangarei, six or seven animals were accepted daily last year - piling more pressure on the overcrowded pens on Kioreroa Rd.
The number represented a decrease of about 300 compared with 2007, as a de-sexing programme had helped significantly.
Most of the cases last year involved neglect or cruelty, while in other cases owners simply could not afford to look after the animals, mostly cats and dogs.
SPCA Whangarei manager Francine Shields said 550 cases of alleged neglect or cruelty and 150 emergency cases were attended by Whangarei staff in 2008.
About $105,000 was spent on veterinary expenses last year in Whangarei.
Total expenses of more than $500,000 weighed heavily against donations of $175,000.
Ms Shields said January was the peak season for animals, usually cats and kittens, but their numbers were kept under control through de-sexing.
With about 140 animals under its care, she said to receive at least one animal a day more put pressure on her staff.
Generally, one-third of animals taken into SPCA care are re-homed.
"There has been an increase in the number of people not being able to care for their animals financially, and some of these cases are genuine," Ms Shields said.
"When you take in an animal, think that it is going to grow, it will need a chain, care and will have babies, and so their welfare should be paramount."
She said SPCA took animals under its care only as a last resort and in situations where they were at risk.
The SPCA opted to employ more staff to look after the animals rather than put them down because of insufficient resources.
By 11am on Friday, her office had received two calls about a large number of cats that were left unattended for two weeks.
In comparison, Kaitaia SPCA took in 319 animals, mostly cats and dogs, in 2008.
Administrator and former senior inspector Jim Boyd said 171 were re-homed, nine were returned to their owners, 104 euthanased and 35 were still being cared for.
The number included 149 dogs and puppies and 169 cats and kittens.
He said the total of 319 animals was about 15 per cent lower than numbers recorded in 2007 because of the de-sexing programme. He received 156 complaints of animal neglect or cruelty and spent about $45,000 on expenses, such as vets, transport and court costs.