MEDIA RELEASE

18 December 2008

Kiwis Buck Recession To Help Animals

Kiwis may be feeling depressed and uncertain about the state of the economy, but when it comes to animals, they remain warm hearted and giving. At a time when many businesses report they are struggling, animal advocacy organisation SAFE reports one of the best years in its 75-year history.

SAFE campaign director Hans Kriek says the group is heartened by the kiwi attitude towards helping animals. The group recently released a report showcasing the organisation’s increased level of activities and successes throughout the past year.

“New Zealanders are opposed to animal cruelty. Despite the current forbidding financial crisis, people are still increasing their support for animals. If it is not funds, it’s time. Just last week, an entire school of 5 to 8 year olds, and their teachers, organised a massive fair to help animals and raise funds for SAFE,” says Mr Kriek.

SAFE has enjoyed many successes throughout the year, largely due to public support and generosity. The report showcases these achievements.

“Convincing Auckland City Council to ban rodeos, releasing a world-class humane education programme into every secondary school and screening SAFE’s first-ever television commercial on the plight of factory farmed animals are just some of our achievements. The organisation remains in a strong position to continue to make positive differences for abused animals in New Zealand.”

SAFE will hold its annual street appeal tomorrow. Over 1200 caring kiwis in 47 cities and towns will don brightly coloured animal costumes to collect donations from the public.

“Even at the busiest time of the year, animal-loving kiwis have offered over 4,000 hours of their time to help raise funds for animals. It goes to show that even during a time when there is little spare time or money, New Zealanders still come to the aid of animals.”

SAFE’s street appeal starts at 8am this Friday at the locations listed below.

• Albany
• Auckland
• Blenheim
• Cambridge
• Christchurch
• Dargaville
• Dunedin
• Feilding
• Gisborne
• Greymouth
• Hamilton
• Hastings
• Havelock Nth
• Henderson
• Hokitika
• Invercargill
• Kaikohe
• Kapiti Coast
• Kerikeri
• Levin
• Lower Hutt
• Manukau
• Motueka
• Napier
• Nelson
• New Plymouth
• Northcote
• Oamaru
• Orewa
• Otaki
• Pakuranga
• Palmerston Nth
• Porirua
• Queenstown
• Raglan
• Rotorua
• Taumaranui
• Tauranga
• Timaru
• Upper Hutt
• Waiheke Island
• Wairarapa
• Wanganui
• Wellington

ends

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