SPCA celebrates 125 years of service

A march up Auckland's Queen St by animals and their handlers next month will help kick off 125th anniversary celebrations for the SPCA in Auckland.

The week-long celebration would begin on October 4 with a formal anniversary dinner at the historic church of St Matthew-in-the-City.

The following day the Queen St parade begins the celebrations before a thanksgiving church service in St Matthews.

It would also include a 'Blessing of the Animals' service held annually to mark the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.

SPCA Auckland chief executive Bob Kerridge said the society had been an integral and important part of the community since colonial times.

One thing that had not changed in the last 125 years was the society's dedication to the core values of compassion and concern for animals, he said.

"We're convinced that we've helped make Auckland a better place for both animals and humans. It's a job that we firmly intend to keep on doing," Mr Kerridge said.

- NZPA