Best of the Web: SPCA closure brings upset

Three puppies the SPCA could not take. Photo / File

People had plenty say online about the closure of the SPCA Wairarapa.

Due to financial difficulties, the national office made a decision to shut the animal shelter's doors, meaning staff have been made redundant and animals in its care will be transferred out of the district.

A lone inspector will be kept on for field work, however.

Many readers were upset and called for the community to step in.

Sally Peters said: "So sad and totally unacceptable. There has to be somewhere here where animals who need it can be cared for and rescued.

"There are so many ppl who would help, this needs to be an absolute priority."

Squirrelnutkins said: "Let's see if the community will get behind the SPCA as quick as it got behind Bed, Bath and Beyond in town when it was threatened with closure - what's more important, quilt covers or local animal welfare?

"How is a service meant to continue with just one inspector in the whole Wairarapa? Where was the help from the national office, and where was the oversight from them through the past 2 years?"

Jacob Johnston said it was "atrocious" to have no SPCA in such a large region.

"There are a great many animals that need this place.

"This is the problem, nobody can make money off an animal being looked after, rescued, saved so as soon as the money disappears everyone gives up.

"You must do something about this, it's unacceptable ...

"Do the right thing and ask for public help."

Helen Davies asked: "Why have the public not been kept informed and given a chance to assist ... there have been hints for some time that something was wrong but nobody would go public."

She said there were many competent people who could have stepped in to help.

"What has the committee and the previous manager been doing?

"This was public money they have lost.

"We will see an increase in dumped animals, even worse than we do now."