SPCA announces permanent closure of Waihi facility

The facility closed its doors last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. With so few animals needing SPCA help in Waihi over that time, all services were offered out of the larger and more fully equipped SPCA Centres in neighbouring Tauranga, Thames and Hamilton – which has proven very successful.

SPCA Area Manager Sue Kinsella says although the decision has been made to permanently close the facility on Dean Crescent, she is assuring Waihi locals that the full range of SPCA services will continue to be offered to the community.

"We can't rationalise the costs of keeping the Centre in Waihi open with the limited number of animals coming through," she says. "As a charity, we have a responsibility to use the donations entrusted to us by generous members of the public to deliver the best possible outcomes for the animals.”

“The Centre in Waihi was open with restricted hours before the pandemic and it had rudimentary infrastructures in place, so we felt that the animals in the region would be better served in larger Centres,” she says.

"We're confident we can do more for the animals if we don't have to carry the cost of running and maintaining the Centre and we will be able to put more investment into things like community desexing that will have a more lasting impact and help solve the problem of unwanted and abandoned animals in the community."

Ms Kinsella says that although the 'bricks and mortar' Centre in Waihi is closing permanently, animal lovers and those passionate about animal welfare in the region will not be forgotten.

SPCA will be vacating the lease and any funds raised through the local Waihi Op Shop will be used to support animals in the community through SPCA services such as Inspectorate services, desexing and animal care.

"We are acutely aware of the generosity of the Waihi community in fundraising for SPCA and are therefore exploring a number of opportunities to ensure that the people of Waihi continue to benefit from SPCA support, but through more cost efficient, sustainable methods."

On Monday, SPCA launched a Snip ‘n’ Chip campaign in Waihi in association with Waihi Vets. The nationwide initiative has seen tens of thousands of animals desexed and microchipped across New Zealand in the past 12 months.

In terms of other SPCA services, prospective adoptive families are encouraged to visit the SPCA website where all animals in the region are available to view for adoption. Anyone wanting to report a welfare concern can call 07-578 0245 or email welfare@spca.nz

"The animals of Waihi will continue to be looked after and cared for. SPCA's ongoing work on preventing cruelty, educating the public and advocating for animal welfare will also remain the same," says Ms Kinsella.