Whangarei SPCA

Billy visits

2010-03-31T15:57:00.003+13:00

Billy came in for his vet check today. He is looking amazing!!! I haven't seen him for a week .... his eyes are now bright, he's happy, he's curious and interested in everything, he's walking well, eating ..... he's a different goat from when he came in. To see him like this makes you realise just how much pain he must have been in before his surgery.

This morning when he arrived with Francine he insisted on taking her through the centre to say good morning to everyone. Then, it was out the back for a quick snack before the Advocate arrived to take his photo. What with that, having friends visit and the vet (who was very pleased with his progress) it's been a big day for Billy!

ps I hear he may be down at the SPCA's Second Chance Op on Sat 10th April watching Jules and Sandra 'Shave it away for the SPCA' ...........

Photo is Christine and Billy

2010-03-30T09:24:00.002+13:00

Hi everyone. Just to let you know that Billy is doing fantastically well! He will be at the SPCA on Kioreroa Road Wednesday 31st between 10 am and 2pm. Those that have been supporting him through his ordeal and most welcome to come and meet him in person - he said to tell you that he really loves apples. Cheers Francine

Billy photos

2010-03-25T18:06:00.003+13:00

A couple of photos Francine took of Billy this morning as he stood in the sun in his pen. He's such a little darling.

Billy update

2010-03-25T09:16:00.004+13:00

Talking to Francine this morning to find out how Billy was doing. She said 'He's blown me away, he's totally amazing! He's happy in himself, eating well, standing and walking as though he's always been a 3 legged goat, and his wound is looking very good.' She said the only thing he's not keen on is being in a small pen (which he has to be to give him time to heal).

Billy's doing ok!

2010-03-24T14:23:00.008+13:00

Just popped in to tell you that Billy has had his surgery and is doing ok! YAY!!! The operation was first thing this morning. The vet clinic has just called us to let us know that he just stood up for the first time and he coped well which is great news! I'll keep you updated with his progress. A big thank you to the awesome team at the Northland Vet Group.

Billy's Big Day tomorrow

2010-03-23T23:00:00.003+13:00

Got an message from Francine today to say that it's Billy's Big Day tomorrow, he goes to the vet first thing in the morning for his surgery. He's settled well and gained some weight and it's now time to get some relief for his constant pain and discomfort. He's such a little sweetie!

Thank you so much to the very kind people who sent in donations to help him. We'll keep you posted how he gets on.

Billy's story

2010-03-17T14:11:00.008+13:00

Billy is a 3-4 yr old male goat who was found wandering along a road in Bay of Islands area dragging a rope. He was in poor condition with an injury to his right hind leg. It looked like an old traumatic amputation to his leg above hock, possibly caused by a wire wrap injury. His leg has tried to regrow a hoof from the dew pads, but this means that Billy cannot put weight on it as it is too painful (in effect it would be like walking on your nose as it is only cartilage and soft tissue). He has muscle wasting in his leg and the leg is shorter by 2-3 inches. He was transferred to the Whangarei SPCA as our Manager, Francine Shields has a special interest in rehabilitating mistreated/injured goats.
The big problem with goats is that people think they are suitable to be tied on the roadside, whereas in fact goats need more care than most sheep. They need protection from the wind & rain as their coats are not waterproof like a sheep, they are fussy eaters & need water every day despite popular belief that they will eat everything and don't drink. They are very susceptible to worm infestations and disease.
Many goats are found starving, dehydrated, with very poor hoof care or with untreated injuries/illnesses. Some have been beaten. Francine has converted her lifestyle block to accomodate goat welfare cases and has a passion for rehabilitating them if possible. They are highly intelligent animals with individual personalities and are very trainable. Many of her previous rescue goats have been rehomed to approved home, those that require ongoing care stay with Francine as long as is necessary. The majority of the costs for this goat treatment/rehabilitation is funded by Francine.
Billy is another example of an animal's indeterminable spirit to survive. The only options with him are to euthanase or amputate his leg. As his leg is non-functioning and he is little he should adapt perfectly well to life with 3 legs. This operation costs approximately $800-$1000. Why do it? A human chose to have, castrate him and keep him in circumstances that likely caused injury. They then left him to live in pain and discomfort. He deserves to live the remainder of his life without pain. He's very friendly and well trained and would be good as an educational example to children as to why it is important to look after our animals. Any donations towards Billy's costs would be very welcome. You can call us at the centre on (09)4389161 or email us at whangareispca@clear.net.nz for details of how to donate.
We will keep this blog updated with Billy's progress.

2nd chance for Love Adopt-a-thon

2010-01-08T10:18:00.006+13:00

Second chance for love
Valentines Weekend Feb 13th and 14th we are taking part in the 2nd Chance for Love Adoptathon. It was a lot of fun last year and so many of the animals got their second chance for love ............ it was wonderful!

Check out the Hills Science website here http://www.secondchanceforlove.co.nz

Remember the animals . . .

2009-12-11T09:04:00.006+13:00

Remember the animals this Christmas. If you have an animal shelter near you, give them a call and find out what food they need and drop them in a can. The animals need you 365 days a year

Christmas cards are back in store

2009-11-05T12:53:00.006+13:00

We've got our Christmas cards back in the SPCA shop now, a delightful selection of 8 different designs and the models for them are all ex-SPCA animals. All proceeds from their sale comes to the Whangarei SPCA to help us continue with our animal welfare work, with our education program, it helps us to save animals lives.

If you'd like to order them just give us a call on (09)4389161 or check out our website http://www.whangareispca.co.nz/

2010 Calenders available now!!

2009-10-17T09:29:00.007+13:00

2010 Whangarei SPCA Calendars
On sale Now!!! They're A4 size and look gorgeous. Order today!!!

Calendars are available at:
Pet Essentials ~ Okara Shopping Centre
Mill Road Vets ~ Kensington
Visualeyez Optometrists ~ Bank Street
Northland Veterinary Group ~ Otaika
Whangarei SPCA Centre in Kioreroa Road.

To order visit our website or give us a call on (09)4389161

Time to go home

2009-10-08T13:33:00.003+13:00

Amadeus came back from his foster home this week, he's finally healed enough to go home. The fur growing back over the scar is white so he'll wear his badge of honour forever. Thank you all for your donations and support, you do make a difference to the animals, you make it possible for animals such as Amadeus to be healed ...... to find a home.

Amadeus update

2009-10-02T11:11:00.003+13:00

It's been a couple of weeks since our last Amadeus report but he's been away on holiday at a foster home. Doctor Kristy saw him this week and was very happy with his progress. His wounds are healing well and it looks as though the fur is going to grow back over most of the scars (though it's growing back white, not black) He's such a delightful little purrsonality, playful yet incredibly affectionate. Here he is having cuddles with Christine.

Off for the weekend .....

2009-09-11T16:22:00.006+12:00

Amadeus has a very healthy appetite, his favourite food right now is bikkies ..... well at least at lunchtime that's his favourite. He's not a fussy eater and will eat almost anything that is put in his plate.

I think he's been very hungry in the past as when he eats his biscuits he tries to fit as many as he can in his mouth at a time ..... and they drop out. Not that they're wasted because after he's finished the ones in the bowl he hunts around until he finds the very last one on the floor.

He saw Dr Kristie again today and she was very happy with his progress. There are still 2 areas that need to heal before he'll be able to go to a home. He's off for the weekend to his foster home so we'll be back again next week.

Healing

2009-09-10T21:32:00.007+12:00

Our little friend is doing well, his wounds are gradually healing. His eyes sparkle and his fur gleams (his coat was very dull when he came in), he is full of mischief and joy. Amadeus is on the road to recovery. Here he is playing with a mouse sent in by one of his admirers and having a cuddle with Andrea.

Playtime

2009-09-03T16:43:00.004+12:00

Amadeus had the best weekend out with Sandra and her family. He got to play with the girls ...... lots, and we discovered he's a hunter. He spent much of the weekend planning and plotting how to get 'the bird' .............. he didn't manage, but he had a lot of fun trying.

The vet is very very pleased with his progress, his wound is clean and healing well. He is such a cool cat with the loudest purr when you pick him up.

Here he is trying to catch his feather mouse out of Sandra's hand. It was so funny, when he got it from her he'd toss it off onto the floor and wait for her to pick it up. He's got a real sense of humour!

Amadeus's day 28.8.09

2009-08-28T15:38:00.003+12:00

Well, I've had such a busy day today! This is me helping Andrea on reception this morning. That was fun!!! She had cake, and pens, and cake, and a little thing that moved on a big screen on the desk that was fun to chase, and all these cool things to smell and play with. Then when I got tired of playing with them I went and had cuddles with Andrea.

I saw the vet today and Dr Kristy said I was looking much better and could be vaccinated.

I'm off home with Sandra for the weekend so I'll see you all again on Monday.

Cuddles with Carrie

2009-08-27T13:04:00.005+12:00

Armadeus is a very affectionate little cat, he loves cuddles. It must hurt him when we dress his wound, but he still purrs and wants us to hold him. Animals are so brave.

Progress

2009-08-26T15:48:00.006+12:00

Armadeus saw Doctor Kristy again today, she was very pleased with his progress. He's having his wounds dressed twice daily, has a very healthy appetite and plays non-stop. It is going to take time before we have to stop worrying about and watching for infection. He has the most delightful, mischievous purrsonality, but when you pick him up he snuggles right into you and purrs. He's wound himself around all of our hearts.

I had fun

2009-08-24T13:07:00.004+12:00

Amadeus had the most wonderful weekend out at his foster home. He ate lots, played lots, purred and talked non-stop. His wound is looking better, less raw and painful. He spent much of the weekend playing with Scott and his favourite toy ...... a ping pong ball. He's back at the centre now for the week ...... from where I'm sitting I can see him in his cage tossing a knitted mouse around. He is such a cool little cat.

Phew it's hard . . . . .

2009-08-21T15:22:00.005+12:00

Phew it's hard to eat without making a mess when you're wearing a bucket on your head. But, I figured out how to do it now. You just stick the edge of the bucket under the plate and then you can reach.

I had a good night's sleep after my big day yesterday. Dr Kristy was pleased with how good and clean my wounds are looking. I'm going home with Jax for the weekend then will come back to see Dr Kristy on Monday.

Bye for now

xox Amadeus

The Big Day

2009-08-20T17:10:00.005+12:00

What a day, my name is Amadeus and I had a big day today. My surgery went well and I feel alot better. Dr Kristy debrided my wound today, so all the dead and infected tissue has been removed allowing new skin to grow. She is very happy with the outcome and I have to have cream put on twice a day. This will help keep infection at bay and encourage my skin to heal quicker. It tastes nice too but I am not allowed to lick it so I have to wear a silly hat.

How Could Someone

2009-08-19T16:02:00.006+12:00

Yesterday we got a call, someone had found an injured kitten who had been hanging round for a week and they'd finally managed to coax him inside. I couldn't believe it when our Inspector, Helena, brought him back. He was a skinny little black and white male kitten with horrific burn wounds covering much of one side. Some of the wounds were infected. It looked as though he had had hot water poured over him. He looked up at me, purred and smooched my hands. My heart went out to him.

He had his first examination with Doctor Kristy and she was amazed at how good his general body condition was apart from wounds. She said that as long as it was done soon he could be saved YAY!

He's booked for surgery tomorrow and we'll be back to let you know how he got on. In the meantime we're trying to come up with a name that suits him

Update from Tinkerbelle

2009-05-21T13:38:00.005+12:00

We got a letter from Tinks new family to let us know how she was getting on ........

'We absolutely love her to bits, she is a really lovely cat. She has settled in now and has taken possession of all the sunny spots and the prime position in front of the fireplace. She is also the most excellent hunter having caught and deposited several mice, and even the occasional weta, onto the doorstep. She has a very set timetable that she likes EVERYONE to stick to. I guess the best thing is she seems to love us, we are just so glad we got her (or she got us to be more precise)'

Thank you so much for keeping in touch with us ...... Tinks touched everyone's hearts while she was here at the SPCA.

Tinkerbelle's gone home!!!

2009-03-16T13:47:00.003+13:00

What a wonderful day it was here at the SPCA, we had a family come in to meet Tinkerbelle and they fell in love. So ...... together with her bed, her special diet and all of our love and best wishes ....... Tinkerbelle has gone home!!!!

14th and 15th of Feb 2009

2009-02-05T18:18:00.002+13:00

'2nd Chance for Love' - Adopt-a-thon

Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th February 2009

Nationwide SPCA Adopt-a-thon

Whangarei SPCA will be open Saturday 14th from 9am - midnight and Sunday 15th from 9am - 10pm

Help us achieve our goal of finding a home for every available animals here in our centre.

Give the animals a second chance for love.

Here is some of the animals we have available - cats, dogs and other animals

So many faces in the cattery.

2009-01-22T15:12:00.004+13:00

I thought I'd try and put photos of all the cats and the kittens in the cattery on one page ..... there were too many to fit! We are placing them, but as soon as they go home there is another one waiting to come through. So many faces ...............

These are some of those faces. These cats and kittens are desexed, vaccinated, vet checked, wormed, frontlined, ears tattoo'd. They are ready to go to homes right now.

Beautiful Cats and Kittens ready for homes

2009-01-07T18:46:00.005+13:00

Our Cattery is overflowing with beautiful cats and kittens ready to go to new homes

All of these cats and kittens are waiting for homes right now

Click on the image to view enlarged image

Wanted Special Forever Home

2008-12-11T11:32:00.004+13:00

Tinkerbelle came to the SPCA as a rather large overweight cat. Her elderly owner had died and there was no one to look after her. She has been in foster care with me since July. Her weight loss program is going really well. She was 8kg when she arrived and is now 7.2kg.

Tinkerbelle is friendly, loves to smooch around your legs, loves to be patted, she is playful and a real hard case. She is NOT a lap cat or a cat that likes to be picked up.

She is looking for a country home so that all the neighbours won’t feed her and she can have lots of exercise. She will need to be kept on her diet for a little longer and then kept on a maintenance diet.

Tinkerbelle would need to be the only pet. She prefers adult company.

She is 5 years old, a speyed female, tabby, fully vaccinated and house trained. Tinkerbelle is now ready for a special home.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE SEE ANDREA.

Poppy's latest news

2008-11-25T13:42:00.005+13:00

Hi everyone, sorry it's been so long ....... I've been a real busy little cat in my new home. I'm just having sooooo much fun!!! Like my new game of climbing my mum when she's in the kitchen and playing pounce when she's weeding in the garden. One of my favourite things to do outside is to have mum cover me in lawn clippings. I hide underneath them and then jump out at my unsuspecting friends. I love going for walks with mum and my friend Spider, as you can see in the photographs I have sent. Well I better go there are chooks on the deck and they need to be chased off! Catch you later. Poppy.

2008-11-06T09:30:00.001+13:00

Upcoming Events and Fundraisers

2008-11-06T09:14:00.002+13:00

The SPCA is a charity that receives no Central or Local Government funding, nor are we eligible for Lotteries grants. We rely totally on donations and fundraising to keep the Centre open and continue doing Animal Welfare work in your community.

We have a lot of weekend barbeques between now and Christmas and we are looking for people who can come along and help out with our fundraising. If you have an hour or two to spare, please give Andrea or Sue a call at the centre.

2008-10-30T10:46:00.001+13:00

Our new Christmas cards, ready now. $4.00 each or 4 for $10.00. They're available at the centre or you can ring us on (09) 4389161 or email andrea@whangareispca.co.nz to order them.

Curtain Play with Poppy

2008-08-11T11:58:00.003+12:00

Hi, Well life is great here. I have now fully made myself at home! I have a new play gym and I just love the feathers it keeps me amused for awhile and it is nice and warm to play with it by the fire.

I have made the big adventure to the outdoors now and it is scarey. There are some funny looking animals here. I found some large feathered birds today, apparently they are called chickens, boy can they run. I did try to catch them but they out smarted me this time. I dont stay outside for long and then I am back inside. I do not go out at night as it is just too dangerous the people say and I am quite happy with that.

I have also found a new thing to play with. The curtains are just great. There are some bells that hang next to the curtains and I love to climb the curtains as quick as I can and get the bells.

Well I must go and have a sleep now in the sun. I will be in touch again soon.

Poppy in her new home

2008-08-11T11:17:00.003+12:00

Hi, its me Poppy. I thought you might like to know how I am getting on in my new home. When I first arrived I meet up with another three cats that live here too. They didnt like my full on approach but now we are great friends. The food here is delicious I have veal and it is great. I didnt think much of the other food they offered me.

There are alot of nice plants inside and I have had a few growlings because they look so nice to play with and chew on. I found this cool toy in the smallest room of the house to play with too. I dragged the roll of tissue through the house and ripped it up and it was so much fun. Of course I have a basket full of toys in the lounge too.

When it is dark I climb onto the huge bed with my people and get under the covers, sometimes I get bored and lick their faces to try and wake them up. I always purr to make sure they know its me and so they dont get a fright.

It is lovely and warm here. The people have a lovely fire for me and my friends to sleep by and we love that with it being so cold lately.

I get lots of cuddles and kisses here, it is so great. I think they love me to bits except when I get in the plants or play with the tissue roll.

(21 July 2008)

Poppy's vet visit.

2008-06-27T16:30:00.004+12:00

Another check today with Doctor Kristy from the Northern Vet Group. She said there was a little bit of swelling round Poppy's wound so she's put her back onto antibiotics for a week.

Poppy's fine in herself, playing well and happy, but she's got to see Doctor Kristy again next week who will decide when she'll be ready for a home.

Toys are a girl's best friend.

2008-06-26T14:00:00.003+12:00

When you're a kitten with a lot of energy cos you now feel well enough to run and play all day .................... toys are a girl's best friend.

Poppy with today's favourite toy ............. a ping pong ball

Poppy purr

2008-06-23T15:15:00.004+12:00

I wish you could hear Poppy purr, it's so loud. You just have to talk to her or pet her and her little motor starts. I'm standing here looking down at her, trying to get a photo for today and all I can hear is her purr.

It doesn't take much to make a cat happy. Some good food, a warm chair in front of the fire, someone to play with.

Yay!!!

2008-06-20T15:47:00.003+12:00

Doctor Kristy was very pleased with Poppy's progress today. The infection has cleared up, her wound is healing well so it was time for the stitches to come out. We still won't let her play with her buddy Minimus yet, maybe after the weekend ........give her a few more days to heal.

Photo taken this morning before the stitches came out. Poppy was on the scratching post playing 'can you see me ...... aren't I just so cute' and she is

Have tail, will play

2008-06-18T16:43:00.004+12:00

Have tail, will play ........ that was Poppy's philosophy for the day. Here she is snuggled in the arms of one of our volunteers playing 'catch the tail'

She's feeling better and starting to get more interested in her food again. She really is the most adorable kitten.

Freedom!!!

2008-06-17T14:56:00.002+12:00

Poppy is a much happier cat today without her hat on, she can now do all the things she was finding hard to do like eating, drinking, washing herself and playing. Her favourite toys for today are a pompom, made by some local schoolchildren for the animals at the SPCA, and shredded paper! She also likes playing with her pingpong ball and shadow games with Minimus in the next cage.

Her face is healing beautifully and she is looking forward to finding a family who will cherish her for the special kitten she is.

2008-06-16T13:55:00.003+12:00

This is Poppy in the cattery this morning. She's having a cuddle with Ariana Tana, one of the volunteers who comes and helps in the cattery during the week.

She had the loveliest weekend with her foster family. She's really starting to feel like a kitten again and has loads of energy, loves nothing better than to run round and play kitty games. Doctor Kristy was really pleased with her progress today and this afternoon she's got her plastic helmet off as her wound is healing well.

Poppy sees Doctor Kristy

2008-06-13T16:34:00.004+12:00

Today it was time for Poppy's next check up with Doctor Kristy from Northland Vet Group. Dr Kristy was very pleased with Poppy's progress, her eye is looking less swollen and there was less discharge. Poppy needs to keep taking her antibiotics and wearing her hat until after her next check on Monday

So it's off home with Andrea for the weekend for some more spoiling and lots of cuddles.

A place in the sun

2008-06-12T15:05:00.003+12:00

Nothing like a little bit of sun to make a cat feel better. I spent today in cattery lazing around in the sun & playing with my neighbour Minimus through the glass. It's soooo nice to feel the sun on my face. I've also been playing heaps today with my toys & the sun shadows on the floor

I'm still feeling a bit under the weather but my medicine should fix that pretty soon, after all I have had a lot happen to me in my short life so far. Andrea & all my other friends are taking great care of me & all the other animals here at the SPCA

Poppy's big day

2008-06-11T11:44:00.004+12:00

D- day, or should I say O-Day was last Thursday for Poppy. The risk of infection in her damaged eye meant that the operation had to be sooner rather than later, so she was scheduled for surgery last Thursday. It was a long day and she looked so little and sad in her hat when she got back to the centre. Andrea kept her quiet for the rest of the day and took her home so she could keep an eye on her and give her little feeds when she needed them. She kept this up over the weekend, it was a big operation for such a little cat.

She saw the vet again on Monday and has been put on antibiotics as her wound was weeping. Poppy gets to keep her hat until the wound is well healed incase she scratches it. She's improving a little every day, though she's still quiet and not that interested in her food. She's such an affectionate little kitten, she looooves to climb up on Andrea's knee and hit her with her helmet as she tries to smooch. She has the loudest purr.

Poppy says thank you

2008-06-06T09:22:00.003+12:00

Poppy and her people friends at the SPCA would like to say thank you so much. The money raised will help to pay for her surgery and care, any money in excess of her needs will go into a 'special animals in need of help' fund to help other animals like Poppy.

Photo taken of Poppy playing on the front counter a couple of days before her operation. Her newest, bestest favourite toy for now ...... a tissue box.

Poppy's Story

2008-06-05T13:31:00.000+12:00

Poppy's a sweet little tabby kitten found abandoned on the side of a country road. It looked as if she'd been thrown out of a car as she had a fresh cut on her mouth and a badly damaged eye. We dont usually keep kittens like this, but I was told if I raised the money to fix her, I could keep her for adoption. Poppy's story and photo were in the Northern Advocate on 4 June 2008.

The response from the public has been overwhelming with phone calls and people calling in to offer to help Poppy.

We would like to thank the team at the Northern Advocate for their support and all the people who responsed to our plea to help Poppy. Poppy has gone down to the vets today for surgery. We will let you know tomorrow how she is getting on.

Poppy Appeal

2008-06-05T10:20:00.000+12:00

Please help Poppy
Poppy needs your help to be able to afford the operation for eye surgery

To make a donation to the Poppy Appeal please phone Andrea on (09) 4389161 or print out the Poppy Appeal Donation PDF and send to us