Letter to the Editor, Tuesday May 10, 2016

No nest eggs

The article 'Council, SPCA look to co-operate over dogs' (April 26) contains misleading facts that need correcting.

Whilst it is true that since late 2015 the Far North SPCA, which represents both Kaitaia and the Bay of Islands, have been in exploratory discussions with the FNDC regarding possible joint ventures, the statement that "the SPCA indicated they could possibly provide up to approximately $500,000 ... for the Kaitaia dog pound" is wildly inaccurate and misleading both the community and our most dedicated members and supporters.

To suggest the SPCA could or would raise, or has the funds to commit $500,000 for a facility in Kaitaia, is ludicrous.

The exploratory joint venture discussions have shown many areas of synergy that would benefit both the animals and our community, and we hope to share the cost burden for proposed new pounds, in both the Bay of Islands and Kaitaia. The SPCA has indicated that, if any joint ventures were to take shape that they would look to raise a loan/ and or look to grant funding for one or both ventures.

The amounts are unknown at this stage, but would not be anywhere in the region of $500,000.

The Far North SPCAs run on a very lean budget, with only community donations and revenue from op shops to keep afloat. In Kerikeri the SPCA own one building, currently with a mortgage.

I would like to make it very clear that the Far North SPCAs do not have any excess of funds, or nest eggs, and that we struggle to make ends meet.

JOHN LOGIE
SPCA Centre Manager
Bay of Islands/Kaitaia & Districts

*****

The figure of $500,000 came from a report to the Far North District Council's Infrastructure Committee. Editor.