SPCA Wairarapa still in the doldrums

Animal welfare complaints in Wairarapa were being handled by police and animal control, with a couple of exceptions for which the Wellington SPCA had been engaged.

SPCA Wairarapa's future is still up in the air almost two months after a public meeting was held to come up with a game plan to help the organisation move forward.

Alan Wilson, from the SPCA national manager inspectorate and centre support, said it was a difficult process "with the hole the centre got itself into".

In the meantime, animal welfare complaints in Wairarapa were being handled by police and animal control, with a couple of exceptions for which the Wellington SPCA had been engaged.

"There's been no change in the status of the current situation, " Mr Wilson said.

"Until we have some substantial income we can't look to reinstate the services of the SPCA in the Wairarapa."

Mr Wilson said that after the meeting several people had their hands up to help, but a group "who have the right skills to get things rolling" was still being brought together.

A fundraising support group was still being formed and some people who had expressed interest still had to be contacted.

He said once enough funds had been raised, the first priority was to reinstate the animal welfare inspectorate and then other services as the centre recovered.

"We're aware that the community misses its centre but it is going to take some time.

"There isn't a quick fix."

The bottom line was the Royal New Zealand SPCA was underwriting any expenditure in Wairarapa, said Mr Wilson.

He added a national team member had been appointed to help and oversee the Wairarapa operation.

"We are working on forming this group but they're not established yet, and until we get some sustainable income flow there's very little we can do.

"We're still trying to be as positive as we can, and we're certainly focused on the survival and reinstatement of the SPCA services in Wairarapa."