SPCA working flat out in stray season

The Christmas rush isn't over yet for the Auckland SPCA in Mangere.

The busiest time is in January and February, when adoption rates decrease, spokesman Craig Montgomery said yesterday.

"When people return to work, that's when we have the influx of animals."

Since the beginning of December the SPCA has received 2560, including 1886 cats and kittens.

"Summer is the kitten season," says Auckland SPCA chief executive Bob Kerridge.

"They mate in early spring, which was a little later this year, and cats can have two or three litters over that time."

There are also many adult cats which can sometimes wait a long time for adoption.

As well as the cats, 400 dogs and puppies, 32 rabbits and 211 other animals including horses, rats, mice, birds and guinea pigs have come through the doors.

"That's an average of 62 animals a day," said Mr Montgomery. Through the peak times the shelter has been receiving 80 to 100 animals a day.

Of those incoming animals more than half have had to be put down, while 30 per cent have been adopted.

The rest are in foster homes or are still waiting to be adopted.

Mr Montgomery said the euthanasia rate was high because of the number of kittens that were too young to be adopted and could not be foster-homed or were too sick or injured to be treated.

Many animals have found homes through the Herald "Save a Pet" campaign, and it had helped with re-homing rabbits, which is difficult.

"Sometimes we can have a rabbit out here for six months," he said.

The animals from the Herald campaign that attracted the most interest from the public were the mice Marshmallow and Maisi, who found a home with a family in Birkenhead.

Mr Kerridge said the adoptions had been "exceptionally wonderful this year and we've got to give credit to the Herald for that".

To help the SPCA get through this busy time, the shelter is asking for old newspapers and blankets and people to volunteer to provide foster homes for animals.

But the best way to help, Mr Kerridge said, was to join the SPCA's Hope Programme and give a monthly donation.

Anyone interested can call (0900) 997-722 to make an instant donation of $25.