25 June 2002

A new state-of-the-art animal shelter in Wiri will be officially opened on Saturday 29 June at 10.30am.

The shelter will be open for business on Monday 1 July to cater for the hundreds of stray, lost or seized dogs in Papakura and Manukau each year.

The new facility will replace the old Papakura and Manukau City shelters. Senior Environmental Policy Planner Max Smitheram says the shelter will be more accessible and will effectively service the City’s needs for the next 40 years.

“Having the new facility in Wiri makes it easier for people wanting to collect or adopt an animal. Disease prevention, good care and exercise for seized and impounded dogs is very important. The new shelter is specifically designed to cater for these requirements. There’s also room for expansion on the site if the need arises,” said Mr Smitheram.

The new sub-regional shelter will have 83 kennels and can provide care and housing for approximately 150 dogs during peak periods.

About 3000 dogs are impounded at the Manukau City shelter each year. Most dogs, about 70%, are stray, unregistered, never claimed and subsequently put down. 23% are claimed and the rest are adopted out.

Mr Smitheram says Council advocates responsible dog ownership.

“In an ideal world we wouldn’t need to impound and euthanase dogs. As a City we’re all responsible for the proper care of animals. Problems are caused by irresponsible dog owners who don’t contain or care for their dogs. Impounding them then becomes a cost on the whole community. It’s essential that all dogs are registered. If they’re lost or injured they can be returned and hopefully won’t need to be impounded. Of all the dogs impounded last year only 6% were registered,” said Mr Smitheram.

Council has undertaken a number of education and incentive measures to increase dog registration within the City.

“Our animal management contractors began an on-going City-wide door knocking campaign in October last year to identify unregistered dogs. Council also offers an approved owner programme that, if accepted as an approved owner, significantly reduces the cost of registration.

“While the new shelter is an essential facility for Council to care for unwanted, neglected or lost dogs, it should be seen as a last resort,” said Mr Smitheram.

The Manukau City Council Call Centre Ph 262 5104, can provide information 24 hrs, 7 days a week about adoption, strays, lost dogs, registration and the approved owner programme.

Ends

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