Rotorua SPCA inspector says every day is different

Rotorua SPCA inspector Alex Jones cares for a dog which is pregnant and fallen down a bank at night into a river, unable to get out. Photo/Supplied

Rotorua residents can help the SPCA care for unwanted and abused animals - a job in which every day is different.

This year's SPCA Annual Street Appeal is being held March 9 to 11.

This year the SPCA is hoping to raise more than $350,000 nationwide to help care for New Zealand's unwanted and abused animals.

It was also Inspector Appreciation Day on Wednesday.

Alex Jones has been Rotorua SPCA's inspector for three and a half years.

She says every day is different, which is probably one of the best things about her job.

"It varies depending on what jobs come in. If a member of public is concerned about an animal or way they are treated we go out."

She says the job involves a lot of education and conversation - talking with and meeting different people.

Alex says a difficult part of the job is seeing animals which are not being very well looked after.

She says in some situations people are willing to go the extra mile, but in other situations they just do not see the problem or are not willing to mend it.

The Rotorua SPCA covers a huge area and sometimes you meet interesting people, she says.

Alex says good parts about the job are seeing changes when she has mentioned something to someone.

"The lightbulb goes off, and you go back and the animal is looking amazing."

She says another good part is seeing positive changes in animals.

Last week they picked up an animal which had been abandoned at a property, and was very territorial and scared to start with.

However, once it was retrieved its tail was wagging and it was licking them.

Alex says she has always loved animals, having grown up with different types of animals.

She says she volunteered at the SPCA just after school and worked her way up through the roles, starting as a kennel attendant.

When she had the opportunity to do the inspector training course she decided to give it a go and really enjoyed it, she says.

She says a lot of the issues they come across are quite basic can be avoided.

A lot of things are done due to circumstances or people just not knowing, she says.

She says the Codes of Welfare is a great booklet of animal care and information - "it would be cool if people knew more about it and refer to it".

It is available at www.mpi.govt.nz.