Thursday, 18 August 2022
Meet the JournalistsPremiumAucklandWellingtonCanterbury/South Island
CrimePoliticsHealthEducationEnvironment and ClimateNZ Herald FocusData journalismKāhu, Māori ContentPropertyWeather
Small BusinessOpinionPersonal FinanceEconomyBusiness TravelCapital Markets
Politics
Premium SportRugbyCricketRacingNetballBoxingLeagueFootballSuper RugbyAthleticsBasketballMotorsportTennisCyclingGolfAmerican SportsHockeyUFC
NZH Local FocusThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay of Plenty TimesHawke's Bay TodayRotorua Daily PostWhanganui ChronicleStratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu Courier
Covid-19
Te Rito
Te Rito
OneRoof PropertyCommercial Property
Open JusticeVideoPodcastsTechnologyWorldOpinion
SpyTVMoviesBooksMusicCultureSideswipeCompetitions
Fashion & BeautyFood & DrinkRoyalsRelationshipsWellbeingPets & AnimalsVivaCanvasEat WellCompetitionsRestaurants & Menus
New Zealand TravelAustralia TravelInternational Travel
Our Green FutureRuralOneRoof Property
Career AdviceCorporate News
Driven MotoringPhotos
SudokuCodecrackerCrosswordsWordsearchDaily quizzes
Classifieds
KaitaiaWhangareiDargavilleAucklandThamesTaurangaHamiltonWhakataneRotoruaTokoroaTe KuitiTaumarunuiTaupoGisborneNew PlymouthNapierHastingsDannevirkeWhanganuiPalmerston NorthLevinParaparaumuMastertonWellingtonMotuekaNelsonBlenheimWestportReeftonKaikouraGreymouthHokitikaChristchurchAshburtonTimaruWanakaOamaruQueenstownDunedinGoreInvercargill
NZ HeraldThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay Of Plenty TimesRotorua Daily PostHawke's Bay TodayWhanganui ChronicleThe Stratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu CourierVivaEat WellOneRoofDriven MotoringThe CountryPhoto SalesNZ Herald InsightsWatchMeGrabOneiHeart RadioRestaurant Hub

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
New Zealand

Missing pets add to post quake stress

5 Sep, 2010 05:30 PM3 minutes to read
People with pets missing for more than 24 hours should call SPCA Track-A-Pet line on 0900 56-787. Photo / Christchurch Star

People with pets missing for more than 24 hours should call SPCA Track-A-Pet line on 0900 56-787. Photo / Christchurch Star

Elizabeth Binning
By Elizabeth Binning, Elizabeth Binning

What information would you like on the Christchurch earthquake?
Send us your questions.

It wasn't just humans shaken by the big quake - hundreds of terrified pets fled during the tremors.

Last night, many of those pets, mostly cats and dogs and the odd rabbit, were yet to return to their homes, adding to the stress of their owners, who are turning to the internet in a desperate attempt to find their furry friends.

"Prissy is a 4-year-old desexed female who ran out the door this morning after the earthquake ... She was terrified and I couldn't grab her as she ran past me," said one Christchurch cat owner on the Pets on the Net website.

"I am desperate to find her as she is so timid and was so frightened. I expect that she will be in a garage or shed somewhere hiding in a corner. Please look for her if you live in the area."

Other chat sites carried messages from people who had found frightened pets.

"I've got two extra cats in my garage at present, they just arrived yesterday ... looking stressed," said a person on Trade Me's pets and animals message board.

Pet owners are also turning to the SPCA and Christchurch City Council's Animal Control centre for help.

Canterbury SPCA manager Geoff Sutton said his staff fielded about 50 calls yesterday. Many were ringing to report missing animals or seek advice on what to do with their pets if they were forced to leave their badly damaged homes.

Mr Sutton's advice was not to panic, saying many of the pets would probably return on their own within the next few days.While a large number of pets were missing, Mr Sutton said he was not aware of any reports of animals being injured during the quake, although one cat had become trapped in a wall.

The owners of that pet were advised to ring a builder who would probably do less damage than the SPCA in getting it out again.

Mr Sutton said help was available for people who had to leave their homes and were not able to take pets with them, starting with a visit to the council's Animal Control centre.

Snuggle Inn Boarding Cattery owner Noeline King said 14 cats were dropped off yesterday. Most owners had been forced to vacate because of leaking sewage, lack of water or structural damage.

What to do:

* Pet owners forced to leave their homes should take animals to the council's Animal Control Centre in Metro Place, Bromley. Animal Control will care for the pets or arrange care for them.

* Anyone with an emergency animal welfare incident can ring (03) 366 3886.

* People with pets missing for more than 24 hours should call SPCA Track-A-Pet line on 0900 56-787.

* People finding stray dogs should call the council's Animal Control Centre. Stray cats should be left alone and not fed if they are not injured.

Related articles

New Zealand

<i>Editorial:</i> Canterbury's catastrophe a wake-up call

05 Sep 05:29 PM
New Zealand

Hidden danger in jarred chimneys

05 Sep 05:30 PM
New Zealand

New faultline comes as big surprise to scientists

05 Sep 05:30 PM
New Zealand

Boy on bike nearly a casualty

05 Sep 05:30 PM

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from New Zealand

New Zealand|Crime

Young boy's name changed by judge to avoid shame

18 Aug 08:00 AM
New Zealand

Anxious young beauty therapist 'callously dismissed' - ERA

18 Aug 07:00 AM
New Zealand|Crime

Inmate lights fire in cell, disabling prison block's sprinklers

18 Aug 06:45 AM
New Zealand|Crime

'Just enjoying our night': Three friends describe sudden, unprovoked attack as pal beaten to death

18 Aug 06:34 AM
New Zealand

Seally season: Seal chases cat into marine biologist's lounge

18 Aug 06:18 AM

Most Popular

Seally season: Seal chases cat into marine biologist's lounge
New Zealand

Seally season: Seal chases cat into marine biologist's lounge

18 Aug 06:18 AM
Labour MP Gaurav Sharma speaks out; accuses PM and her office of a 'cover-up'
New Zealand|Politics

Labour MP Gaurav Sharma speaks out; accuses PM and her office of a 'cover-up'

18 Aug 06:27 AM
Premium
Stress on the flight deck: The pilots who suffered most during pandemic
Business

Stress on the flight deck: The pilots who suffered most during pandemic

18 Aug 05:45 AM

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
About NZMEHelp & SupportContact UsSubscribe to NZ HeraldHouse Rules
Manage Your Print SubscriptionNZ Herald E-EditionAdvertise with NZMEBook Your AdPrivacy Policy
Terms of UseCompetition Terms & ConditionsSubscriptions Terms & Conditions
© Copyright 2022 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP