Jagger the rooster makes right move

Joanne Pichom and Jagger are happy with the adoption. Photo / Dean Purcell

Jagger the dancing rooster has lived up to his name and has been showing his new owner, Joanne Pichom, that he certainly has the "moves like Jagger".

Mrs Pichom says that on December 27 she received a phone call from her mother telling her a "beautiful little rooster" was up for adoption in the Herald.

Mrs Pichom, whose rooster had recently died, says she and her husband went straight out to the SPCA in Mangere to meet Jagger.

Jagger, who was featured in the newspaper's "Adopt Me" series, has settled in well to his new home on their 5-acre lifestyle block in Waimauku. Jagger originally frightened the chickens with his "flappy dance" but they have since taken a liking to him and he is popular with the ladies.

Mrs Pichom says Jagger is quite a character, she sneezed four or five times the other day and after each time Jagger would crow at her as if he was talking to her.

"I think he thinks he is a person," he follows me around everywhere and loves socialising," she says.

On New Year's day she found Jagger sitting on the couch "cock-a-doodle-dooing" after being let inside by the family dog.

So far seven of the 10 animals featured in the summer series have found new homes. The Stevenson family have adopted Brett the puppy and they have renamed him Bruno. Mrs Stevenson says Bruno is "absolutely wonderful".

SPCA Auckland operations manager Tracy Dunn says it has been a busy holiday period for the society.

There has been the expected influx of animals over the Christmas season, but Mrs Dunn says the SPCA has also been "flat out with adoptions".

The society saw 25 dogs adopted during the few days before the New Year. With regard to adoption numbers, Mrs Dunn says, "It's been one of our better years".

She says staff have done really well with cat adoptions but there are still plenty of feline pets in need of new homes. "There are still a considerable number of cats and kittens being prepared for adoption over the next few weeks."

Mrs Dunn says the Herald series has brought great exposure to the SPCA and that the "response from the public has been absolutely fantastic".

SPCA Auckland executive director Bob Kerridge says it is a feeling of "utter jubilation" when SPCA animals are happily rehomed.

"As we see them leave the SPCA with their new families it is such an uplifting feeling for everyone who has cared so passionately for them."

Mr Kerridge says the series has been very helpful in "finding homes for those animals so desperately seeking a new life with a new family".

Adopt a pet
The SPCA has many animals still in need of loving homes so if you are interested in adopting, fostering or donating to the SPCA, you can call the society on (09) 256-7300.