Fundraisers hitting streets for SPCA

SPCA's Karen Rolfe and Spot are gearing up for their annual appeal. Photo / Ben Fraser

For almost 70 years the Rotorua SPCA has been helping animals in need - now they're appealing for locals to give generously to allow them to continue their hard work.

This week marks the SPCA's Annual Appeal with volunteers out on Rotorua streets collecting donations today and tomorrow.

The appeal is SPCA's biggest fundraising event for the year, with $500,000 towards animal rescue hoped to be raised nationwide this week.

In the past year, the 47 SPCA branches in New Zealand, helped more than 56,000 animals who were sick, injured, lost, abused or abandoned.

Rotorua SPCA manager Eve Johnson said each year the organisation housed more than 3000 animals from across the Rotorua district.

In total, they worked to help about 5000 animals every year, she said.

"The Rotorua SPCA has been running for almost 70 years. It's become an integral part of the community, feeding and caring for animals, educating owners and those adopting pets and doing our best to ensure that animals aren't neglected," she said. She said the money raised would go towards the branch's animal rescue department, which worked with animal control to inspect and ensure animals had access food and water, shelter, medical care, exercise and freedom from fear and distress.

Last year 90 SPCA inspectors across New Zealand investigated more than 13,000 complaints.

Ms Johnson said the work was often heartbreaking.

Earlier this year, the Rotorua SPCA staff worked to help a mastiff cross called Anzac, who spent weeks chained up so tightly that the chain had embedded in her neck and almost killed her.

When she was discovered bolt cutters were needed to cut her free and a vet had to surgically remove the chain from her neck.

Ms Johnson said it was a shocking case, but it was just one example of the animal abuse cases the Rotorua centre dealt with on a regular basis.

Donations can be made to street collectors today and tomorrow, with volunteers also stationed outside New World and Fenton St Countdown.

Donations can also be made to any ASB branch or at the SPCA's shelter and op shops.