SPCA Ambassadors

Fashion designer Karen Walker has been a dedicated SPCA ambassador since a very early age. “Throughout my school years I’d eagerly await SPCA collection week and door-knock diligently on behalf of those without knuckles and the ability to hold a plastic bucket” she says.

Since then, Karen’s company has always made SPCA their first charity of choice and have run many events to allow the Karen Walker community to help make a difference. Karen continues, “I’m delighted to now have a formal ambassadorship with SPCA and to continue to work with them, tirelessly, to protect and educate.”

Karen’s own home has seldom been without a pet and, in addition to its three human occupants, her house is, at present, home to 20,000 honey bees and one perfectly behaved Australian Labradoodle, Laika. “Whilst the bees are very useful ensuring there’s always Vogel’s toast with honey on the breakfast table, Laika’s main contribution to the household is complete and utter love with lashings of cuteness on the side. When it comes to tennis balls, Laika’s a gold medal level fetcher, an adroit mid-air catcher and, it’s safe to say, completely obsessed,” says Karen.

Website: www.karenwalker.com

Instagram: @karenwalker

New Zealand born Actress and Host Kimberley Crossman is now living in America and working on ShowTime’s hit show SMILF. Kimberley started acting in New Zealand on the iconic drama Shortland Street when she was sixteen and is part of the successful comedy show Funny Girls that is taking the world by storm. Kimberley has a pet tarantula called Harry, two cavoodles who look exactly like her parents and a cat called Powder who loves walks around the neighborhood in his stroller! 

Kim says, "I'm proud to be an SPCA Ambassador because I am passionate about helping and being a voice for those that don’t have one. Animals continue to amaze me and bring me joy every day. Finding forever homes for those animals who need love and care is a passion of mine and I am stoked to work with SPCA to help those animals in need and to give animals a real shot at having a happy life with loving caring families.”

Instagram: @kimcrossman

Website: KimberleyCrossman.com

Suzy Cato is New Zealand’s leading children’s entertainment personality, having hosted many beloved educational TV shows including Suzy’s World and You and Me. Today, Suzy continues to educate, engage and entertain young Kiwis through her website, newsletter and YouTube videos including Suzy's Book Corner series.

Passionate about animal welfare her whole life, Suzy's passion has spread over into her work, sharing with children the importance of caring for animals, from wildlife to pets. This great love of animals also led her to start fostering felines for SPCA in Auckland in 2021, with one of these fosters never leaving, and now being a beloved member of the family. Suzy continues to foster animals in need, and is a great supporter of SPCA’s work and educational resources to inspire a kinder generation.

Journalist Chris Lynch is a trusted name in local news in Canterbury. He has been a loyal supporter of the SPCA for many years and hosts a regular animal video segment, which is filmed on location at the Christchurch SPCA Centre. The video is broadcast on his popular Facebook page, and the stars of the videos, the animals of course, usually find a forever home not long after the segment is uploaded.

Chris spends a lot of time socialising with his parents’ cat, Fanta, who thinks he’s a prince drinking water only from a wine glass. Chris says he’s delighted to be in a position to showcase not only SPCA animals up for adoption, but highlight and acknowledge the hard working staff and passionate volunteers.

Facebook: Chris Lynch Media

Former New Zealand Hockey Black Stick, Honor Carter, grew up on a large farm in Marlborough surrounded by animals. She adored all animals but had a particular love for horses after her mother both bred and competed them. Honor juggled both representative hockey and competitive show jumping on horses. She won the prestigious “New Zealand Pony of the Year” National Title in 1997 and was an integral player in the New Zealand Black Sticks Hockey team for 8 years. Honor is currently based in Auckland with her husband Dan and 3 young boys (Marco 7, Fox 5, Rocco 2) and their Swedish Vallhund dog called Herbie. As a long term supporter of the SPCA she is thrilled to become an ambassador to help them continue their work in protecting animals in need.

Instagram: @honorcarter

Bella and Herman are the inseparable duo! They met for the first time two and a half years ago and the rest is history. When Herman is not out exploring, his hobbies consist of people watching from his seat on the windowsill, retrieving the squeakers fromhis toys,and his favourite hobby is trying to carry the stick that is simply too big back to the car. Bella works as a traveling makeup artist and skin care expert for Dior but in her spare time she only has one hobby and that is Herman. Since Herman was a puppy he has never been camera-shy and to no surprise he has now got a large following on Instagram with intentions of becoming a star!

Instagram: @herman.the.minpin