I have exciting news, well I am excited anyway. HUHA is taking on native bird rescue. We already rehabilitate native birds; they get treated at the Wellington zoo then come to us. We do a fantastic job; we have a very high success rate at rehabilitation. We respond to calls from the community, pick up and transport to and from the Wellington Zoo, we were already doing this but now it is official. We are still in the early stages of setting this up, so far it is just me, Carolyn and Jim but we are hoping to get more volunteers and have a roster system so no one is over worked. If anyone wants to be a native bird taxi in the greater Wellington area please call HUHA 526 3630.
This week we desexed, vaccinated and microchipped all the Christchurch kittens that weren’t already done. The kittens were too small to do when we were doing the others. Sam did a great job socialising the kittens; they are very cute, very friendly and of course all looking for new homes. We are down to only a few Christchurch cats; we have 3 cats and 5 kittens left.
Plus we have rescued 11 cats that were living in an overcrowded situation. Their ages range from 6 months to 8 years. I love hanging out in the cat room with them, they are great cats. However, the cats aren’t quite ready to be re-homed; a couple of them have an upset stomach from the stress of living in an overcrowded area. We will hold on to them until it clears up, when they are ready to be re-homed I will put photos up. We have set up a cat room at the sanctuary. It is very cool, we have places for them to climb and explore.
Also we rescued a morepork, a seagull, a thrush and a puppy. They are all doing very well.
The two white bunnies we rescued a while back have been re-homed to a great home where they will be loved and spoilt.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Puppy Farming
For those who don’t know, puppy farming (or puppy mill) is a commercial dog breeding facility that has an emphasis on profits above animal welfare. Often, their facilities are in substandard conditions regarding the welfare of dogs in their care. It is just like factory farming pigs and chickens but for domestic pets, commercial breeding for profit. These poor little puppies and dogs really are kept in appalling conditions. Sadly this does happen in New Zealand, it is absolutely disgusting and animals are suffering because of it.
Puppies and dogs are kept in small overcrowded and unsanitary cages or pens. They receive no stimulation, no exercise, only basic grooming, minimal vet care, are poorly socialised and of course stressed. Health and behavioural problems are very common simply because of how they are kept and their basic freedoms ignored. They often develop neurological conditions (pacing, circling) from being stuck in an small overcrowded cage with no stimulation. Bitches are bred too often, in some cases it is every season. Puppies are taken off the bitch too early and sold. I can go on all day ranting about how disgusting it is but i am sure i am preaching to the choir.
Please tell your friends and families, don’t buy into factory farming of dogs!
Click here for T.V 3s piece on puppy farms, making oodles. It shows the poor standard these puppies are kept in. You can also read the produces blog about the segment. Safe has an article on their website on puppy mills in New Zealand.
Puppies and dogs are kept in small overcrowded and unsanitary cages or pens. They receive no stimulation, no exercise, only basic grooming, minimal vet care, are poorly socialised and of course stressed. Health and behavioural problems are very common simply because of how they are kept and their basic freedoms ignored. They often develop neurological conditions (pacing, circling) from being stuck in an small overcrowded cage with no stimulation. Bitches are bred too often, in some cases it is every season. Puppies are taken off the bitch too early and sold. I can go on all day ranting about how disgusting it is but i am sure i am preaching to the choir.
Please tell your friends and families, don’t buy into factory farming of dogs!
Click here for T.V 3s piece on puppy farms, making oodles. It shows the poor standard these puppies are kept in. You can also read the produces blog about the segment. Safe has an article on their website on puppy mills in New Zealand.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Animal Hides for sale in Wellington
I just got off the phone with Carolyn who is very distressed and upset!!! Carolyn was looking around in Wellington and stumbled upon a shop that sells animal hide! It is disgusting and barbaric! They have Zebra skin and Springboks skin, apparently you could see the eye sockets, nostrils and the ears pinned back. I can’t understand who would even want this. The idea of a dead animal on the floor in the living room is weird, why would anyone want that?
We are boycotting any store that sells it. Carolyn saw it in Cransfield on the corner of Lambton Quay and Johnston Street in Wellington, imported by Landed gear and freshly murdered in South Africa. I have seen images of animal fur in a documentary called Earthlings. It is very disturbing, it made me want to vomit, in fact it is what turned me vegan. I encourage everyone to do a little research, have a look at websites like HUHA, PETA, SAFE or WSPA. I can tell you how bad it is, but it won’t mean as much until you see it for yourself.
According to the Landed website they farm these animals for their skin. Doesn’t this make it seem even more senseless? Not that I think hunting is good, but you can (almost) see why some would like it. You know, they think they are a big manly man for killing a beast and need to be reminded of this so they display it in their lounge. But in this case the animal is farmed, it is not even manly or cave like (or whatever the hell it is that makes people want to hunt in the first place). It is so weak.
I also do not believe animal in farms are happy. They can not display natural behaviours; they are often kept in large herds, which can be very stressful, with little or no space to move about. Join us in boycotting the fur/skin industry, we can make a difference.
We are boycotting any store that sells it. Carolyn saw it in Cransfield on the corner of Lambton Quay and Johnston Street in Wellington, imported by Landed gear and freshly murdered in South Africa. I have seen images of animal fur in a documentary called Earthlings. It is very disturbing, it made me want to vomit, in fact it is what turned me vegan. I encourage everyone to do a little research, have a look at websites like HUHA, PETA, SAFE or WSPA. I can tell you how bad it is, but it won’t mean as much until you see it for yourself.
According to the Landed website they farm these animals for their skin. Doesn’t this make it seem even more senseless? Not that I think hunting is good, but you can (almost) see why some would like it. You know, they think they are a big manly man for killing a beast and need to be reminded of this so they display it in their lounge. But in this case the animal is farmed, it is not even manly or cave like (or whatever the hell it is that makes people want to hunt in the first place). It is so weak.
I also do not believe animal in farms are happy. They can not display natural behaviours; they are often kept in large herds, which can be very stressful, with little or no space to move about. Join us in boycotting the fur/skin industry, we can make a difference.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Toxic
I know it is only a couple of days since my last blog but things at the sanctuary are sort of on hold. One of the neighbours has had a bonfire and they can’t have realised what they have burnt is actually toxic! It is making everyone in the neighbourhood sick; I can’t go there until the fumes have cleared. Poor Carolyn and Jim have headaches and nausea. We have an old monkey Charlie, he is 41, his breed typically only live to about 28. Charlie has compromised lungs so we have had to keep him inside his house where he sleeps, during the day. Hopefully it clears soon.
Yesterday Carolyn and I were on our way to see the horse we helped the day before (who by the way is doing very well), when we spotted a young dog running along SH2. We stopped and put the dog in our car, we did find his owner and he was returned safe and sound to his very grateful owner.
Tonight on my way home I saw a young hedgehog on the road. So I stopped and moved it off the road. This got me thinking about how many people drive past and just hope the animal will be okay. I was thinking maybe it is because they don’t know what to do about it. If it is a domestic pet and you don’t know who the owner is, simply drop the animal off to the local vet clinic. They can scan the animal for a microchip or in some cases they will recognise the animal and will be able to contact the owners. If you can’t catch the animal contact animal control, if the animal is injured contact the SPCA. In my experience the SPCA are fantastic, they are helpful and give good advice.
By the way my blog new photo was taken at the Dog Watch sanctuary in Christchurch. We went to Christchurch with our 6 tone truck and people mover to drop off donated food, rescue remedy, toys, cat litter, collapsible cages, treats, animal first aid supplies and hand sanitiser to charities in Christchurch. Our aim was also to relieve stress and pressure by taking back with us animals that were already homeless before the earthquake, to be rehomed in Wellington. Thus, making space in the shelters for the displaced animals from the earthquake. We brought back 25 cats, 3 dogs, 17 roosters and 6 turtles. Plus we have had 2 more cats flown up last week. That is not all we did… We arranged a 5000 litre water tank delivered to 50 thirsty horses and helped rescued a cat locked inside an abandoned house.
I have updated the adoption page on the website with our bunnies, donkeys, cows and Tyke an old farm dog that was going to be shot.
Yesterday Carolyn and I were on our way to see the horse we helped the day before (who by the way is doing very well), when we spotted a young dog running along SH2. We stopped and put the dog in our car, we did find his owner and he was returned safe and sound to his very grateful owner.
Tonight on my way home I saw a young hedgehog on the road. So I stopped and moved it off the road. This got me thinking about how many people drive past and just hope the animal will be okay. I was thinking maybe it is because they don’t know what to do about it. If it is a domestic pet and you don’t know who the owner is, simply drop the animal off to the local vet clinic. They can scan the animal for a microchip or in some cases they will recognise the animal and will be able to contact the owners. If you can’t catch the animal contact animal control, if the animal is injured contact the SPCA. In my experience the SPCA are fantastic, they are helpful and give good advice.
By the way my blog new photo was taken at the Dog Watch sanctuary in Christchurch. We went to Christchurch with our 6 tone truck and people mover to drop off donated food, rescue remedy, toys, cat litter, collapsible cages, treats, animal first aid supplies and hand sanitiser to charities in Christchurch. Our aim was also to relieve stress and pressure by taking back with us animals that were already homeless before the earthquake, to be rehomed in Wellington. Thus, making space in the shelters for the displaced animals from the earthquake. We brought back 25 cats, 3 dogs, 17 roosters and 6 turtles. Plus we have had 2 more cats flown up last week. That is not all we did… We arranged a 5000 litre water tank delivered to 50 thirsty horses and helped rescued a cat locked inside an abandoned house.
I have updated the adoption page on the website with our bunnies, donkeys, cows and Tyke an old farm dog that was going to be shot.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Horse rescue
So far this week we have planted trees, groomed our gorgeous ponies, picked up 150 bales of balage, found great homes for two more cats (sorry 'Splash' has been homed) and we have a new kitten from the SPCA. She's very cute, her name is Betsey, black and white, about 8 weeks old and has a head tilt. I will take photos tomorrow and post them on the adoption page on the HUHA website.
But wait there's more, it gets better, i haven't told you what we did today. We rescued a horse! This was my first horse rescue and i am very pleased to say it went well, very well in fact. So this poor horse fell into a creek, her leg was stuck in a tree root and she was lying in the freezing cold water. It was a heroic effort from South Wairarapa vets and of course HUHA. We managed to cut the tree root and get her leg out. Then, with the help of a tractor, we helped her stand and she walked out. What an incredible horse! It looks as though she will make a full recovery. Yay!!! It was very obvious it was not Carolyn's first horse rescue, she was on fire, knew just what to do.
Finally, one of our wonderful supporters from Auckland had a fundraiser for us last Sunday. And wow what a success it was. They raised a whooping $750 PLUS they are still doing an Easter raffle. We are so grateful, they have put so much work and time in to achieving this, it is huge for us.
But wait there's more, it gets better, i haven't told you what we did today. We rescued a horse! This was my first horse rescue and i am very pleased to say it went well, very well in fact. So this poor horse fell into a creek, her leg was stuck in a tree root and she was lying in the freezing cold water. It was a heroic effort from South Wairarapa vets and of course HUHA. We managed to cut the tree root and get her leg out. Then, with the help of a tractor, we helped her stand and she walked out. What an incredible horse! It looks as though she will make a full recovery. Yay!!! It was very obvious it was not Carolyn's first horse rescue, she was on fire, knew just what to do.
Finally, one of our wonderful supporters from Auckland had a fundraiser for us last Sunday. And wow what a success it was. They raised a whooping $750 PLUS they are still doing an Easter raffle. We are so grateful, they have put so much work and time in to achieving this, it is huge for us.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
First blog from the HUHA apprentice
10/04/11
This week Carolyn was on a course learning equine assisted therapy ('horse therapy'). It is going to be great when we can apply this in our community to troubled youth, i am really excited about it! We have also re-homed a turtle to a lovely home where he is going to be very spoilt and loved :-), they have named him Rio. Two cats arrived yesterday from Christchurch to be re-homed. One of the cats is such a trooper, she was found floating in the river in Christchurch. She has been on a plane ride to Wellington, long car ride from the airport to PekaPeka and she is still a sweet purring cat!!! They are both very cute cats. 'Splash' (the trooper), is female, black and white, desexed, about 6 months old and very friendly and inquisitive. The other one, "Teddy", is a gorgeous big male cat, desexed, ginger and white, 2 - 3 years old and a very affectionate cat. He has a very soft thick coat, i could have easily stayed all day cuddling him. Typical me, i forgot to take photos of our new cats. I will ask Angie and Sam, who have been doing an awesome job advertising and re-homing our first lot of Christchurch cats, to take photos. Keep an eye out on our adoption page i will try and update it some time early this week.
If you, or anyone you know, would like a new addition to the family please contact us.
This week Carolyn was on a course learning equine assisted therapy ('horse therapy'). It is going to be great when we can apply this in our community to troubled youth, i am really excited about it! We have also re-homed a turtle to a lovely home where he is going to be very spoilt and loved :-), they have named him Rio. Two cats arrived yesterday from Christchurch to be re-homed. One of the cats is such a trooper, she was found floating in the river in Christchurch. She has been on a plane ride to Wellington, long car ride from the airport to PekaPeka and she is still a sweet purring cat!!! They are both very cute cats. 'Splash' (the trooper), is female, black and white, desexed, about 6 months old and very friendly and inquisitive. The other one, "Teddy", is a gorgeous big male cat, desexed, ginger and white, 2 - 3 years old and a very affectionate cat. He has a very soft thick coat, i could have easily stayed all day cuddling him. Typical me, i forgot to take photos of our new cats. I will ask Angie and Sam, who have been doing an awesome job advertising and re-homing our first lot of Christchurch cats, to take photos. Keep an eye out on our adoption page i will try and update it some time early this week.
If you, or anyone you know, would like a new addition to the family please contact us.
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