SPCA Urges Generous Response To ‘Paws Appeal’

ROYAL NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

For release: 6th November 2008

SPCA Urges Generous Response To ‘Paws Appeal’

New Zealanders are being urged to dig deep into their pockets to help the SPCA protect animals from cruelty and neglect.

The Royal New Zealand SPCA is to hold its annual ‘Paws Appeal’ from 8th to 14th November, with street appeals scheduled for all major centres and a nationwide letterbox appeal organised to all households.

“Every cent donated to our Paws Appeal will help provide happier and safer lives for animals in the locality in which it was donated,“ says the Society’s National Chief Executive, Robyn Kippenberger.

“Times may be getting tougher but we’re still hoping for a generous response to the appeal. After all, the global financial crisis hasn’t meant any reduction in the numbers of dogs, cats or other animals in need of the SPCA’s care. In fact, quite the contrary, as people facing economic hardship are less likely to be able to takeᾠon the responsibility of caring forᾠa companion animal, she adds.

Last week, the Royal New Zealand SPCA issued its sixth annual ‘List of Shame’, detailing fifty of the worst cases of animal abuse and neglect that occurred over the last year (see: http://www.oneofthefamily.co.nz/listofshame.pdf).

“These heart-rending cases point to the ongoing need for a strong, local SPCA presence across New Zealand and to the vital importance of ensuring our work is adequately funded,” says Robyn Kippenberger.

“We’re active in towns and communities, large and small, protecting and rescuing animals, rehabilitating and re-homing them and also investigating and prosecuting those responsible for their abuse and neglect.

“We depend almost entirely on individual donations, legacies and sponsorship to keep going, with government assistance limited to a one-off grant from MAF, specifically earmarked to cover our inspectors’ work on farms during the drought conditions of earlier this year.

“Funding our work is always a challenge, and rarely more so than in today’s economic climate. So please don’t forget the animals’ needs and do give generously to our Paws Appeal,” she says.

Donations can be made by posting the appeal envelope back to the SPCA with a cheque or credit card details or by placing a contribution in a street appeal collecting box. Another option is to telephone the special appeal number 0800 SPCA PAWS.

In addition, donations can be made online, by visiting www.rnzspca.org.nz
or can be handed in at a local SPCA branch, at one of the 27 branches of ‘The Body Shop’ around New Zealand or at one of 137 branches of ASB Bank Limited.

Donations of $50 or more will be recognised with a golden diamante paw print pin, marking the Royal New Zealand SPCA’s Diamond (75th) anniversary. A blue paw print pin will be available to street collection donors and those donating through The Body Shop or ASB Bank.

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