Council Shelter Celebrates World Animal Day

The Christchurch City Council Animal Shelter is opening its doors to the public on Saturday 4 October to mark this year’s World Animal Day .

Between 10am and 2pm, families will be able to visit the dogs at the Shelter in Metro Pl, Bromley; learn how to care for their own pets; and see some of the city’s hardest working dogs in action.

World Animal Day marks the feast day of St Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals. Two of its main objectives are to highlight the enjoyable aspects of pet ownership and recognise the important contribution that animals make to society.

“It is the first time that we have celebrated World Animal Day and we thought it was an excellent opportunity to show people what we do,” Brent Ablett of the Council’s Animal Control team said. “Anyone who sees a dog at the Shelter that they would like to re-home, will be able to put their name down to be its future owner.”

Existing dog owners will be able to seek advice from a dog trainer at the event and collect Council information on dog registration and gaining responsible dog owner status. The day will also offer an opportunity to learn about some of the city’s animal rescue organisations, including Dogwatch and Bird Rescue.

There will be some shining examples of well behaved dogs at the event, including those from the Tevra Dog Training School and dogs trained to assist people with hearing and visual disabilities.

Children will be well catered for, with a bouncy castle; a guest appearance from the Council’s Animal Control mascot, Angus; tricks from a former Shelter dog, Miss Polyester; and a pet corner including chickens, a Kune Kune pig, calves, mini ponies and a goat.

Pet food giveaways and the chance to win a toy, ‘Bromley the Dog”, will be among the day’s other attractions.

Parking is to be available at the Mercury Bay Factory, 100 metres from the Animal Shelter towards Linwood Avenue. Pedestrian entrance to the Animal Shelter will be well signposted.

© Scoop Media