Coming soon - big West Coast desex drive

SPCA’s General Manager of Animal Services Dr Corey Regnerus-Kell says changes to how the charity’s resources are organised in the area will increase SPCA presence on the Coast, increase funding for desexing, and allow a more nimble response to the needs of coastal communities.

“There’s an increase in un-desexed animals in the region, resulting in more colonies and more kittens. Desexing one cat prevents on average a litter of six unwanted kittens. And their kittens. And so, on. We are confident the best way for us to make a difference on the Coast is to saturate the region with desexing initiatives, and to do this we are rearranging how we deliver services there.”

In early 2025, SPCA Hokitika Holding Centre will reopen. It will serve the community’s sick, injured, and vulnerable animals and will operate a desexing clinic. It will also facilitate and absorb overflow from SPCA’s Greymouth Centre operating as the centralised West Coast Hub and continuing to support the Westport community.

SPCA Westport Holding Centre will close and be replaced by a dedicated Community Support Officer who will serve West Coast communities with a more tailored approach. And from early next year SPCA’s purpose-built mobile desexing unit will be based in the region to drastically reduce the number and impact of stray cats.

The new Community Support Officer will be a Warranted Auxiliary Officer under the Animal Welfare Act who can assist the Inspectorate team with urgent cases as needed.

“We want to create a future that supports sustainable animal welfare outcomes on the West Coast," says Regnerus-Kell.

“We’re looking to put more ‘P’ in SPCA – Prevention is key. Further down the track we’ll be inviting everyone to help us with a Cat Count.”

The West Coast geography allows SPCA to serve the community’s needs and conduct a comprehensive study of the long-term benefits of desexing, a first for New Zealand. It’s hoped the desexing drive will create positive impacts for taonga species and improve biodiversity on the West Coast.

SPCA Hokitika Holding Centre will operate with animal care staff from 8am–4pm, customer service staff from 9:30am–12:30pm, and trial public opening hours from 10am–12pm, with adoptions available by appointment.

Westland District Council Dog Control will remain at the Hokitika Centre, where it is currently based, and will continue to work collaboratively with SPCA.

Mayor Helen Lash says she’s excited by what will be achieved together.

“We couldn’t be more pleased. SPCA and WDC have been working to address the challenges faced by the region for a while. The ability to work collaboratively together to provide the best animal control programme possible is a joy to councils Dog Control Officer Clare Lomax and myself after many months of hard work. Great outcome for the West Coast.”

Closure of Westport’s Holding Centre is scheduled for late January 2025.

“We are grateful for the support of responsible pet owners on the West Coast, volunteers, donors, foster families, Westland District Council for its support, and everyone generously committed to improving the lives of animals,” says Regnerus-Kell.