One SPCA proposal will particularly benefit Waikato, head says

Andrea Midgen SPCA chief executive says the proposed One SPCA plan has obvious benefits for Waikato. PHOTO / FILE

A proposal to link the Waikato SPCA into a national network will ultimately mean better prospects for lost and lonely animals, the head of the national organisation says.

Tough times for SPCA funding have led regional delegates to consider whether centres should continue to operate independently, or function under a national umbrella. The "One SPCA" proposal would be likely to be put to a vote in June.

SPCA New Zealand chief executive Andrea Midgen told Hamilton News the One SPCA would help centres such as the Waikato SPCA, which had to close in December last year due to financial issues.

The Waikato centre recently reopened under SPCA New Zealand management, and has been steadily reinstating its services since January 31.

It has been a lengthy process, Ms Midgen said.

"We're just about ready to say 'we're open, we know what we're doing'."

She said the organisation was focused on building resources until more funding could be secured. The One SPCA proposal could be a huge boost to fundraising efforts.

Ms Midgen said One SPCA would also be a great opportunity for the "wealthier" centres to assist struggling sites.

"Just because a centre is poorer doesn't mean they shouldn't get funding," she said.

If the proposal went ahead, volunteers and workers would be "locked" into their positions and placed into the new organisation.

Since the re-opening, the Waikato centre had been taking "very small baby steps" and things were progressing slowly but smoothly.

Ms Midgen said it was important the Waikato centre should "take it slow and get it right".

"We're very conscious that we won't get another crack at this" said Midgen.

In the meantime, she said Waikato volunteers and SPCA New Zealand were doing everything they could to keep tails wagging, the welfare of the animals being their first priority.

Midgen said it was important to keep the Waikato centre operating, as it was the "third or fourth" largest centre in New Zealand in terms of "animal volume".

"Waikato is a really important part of SPCA because it is a large area and there are a lot of animal issues in that area" said Midgen.

In 2015, the centre accpeted 2600 animals in need, and responded to 1000 callouts in the Waikato region.

The merger would be put to a vote at the AGM in June, and no action would be taken until November 1.