Key Takeaways:
- Animal shelters in New Zealand are bracing for their busiest time of the year over the Christmas break
- The Helping You Help Animals (HUHA) charity is expecting a "revolving door" of animals coming in and leaving over the holiday period
- HUHA is housing around 600 animals, including cats, dogs, rural animals, and wildlife
- The charity relies on volunteers and staff to care for the animals, but is still struggling to cope with the demand
- HUHA is urging people to do their due diligence before adopting a pet, and to make sure they can provide a suitable home for the animal
Introduction to the Busy Season
While many people are looking forward to a relaxing summer break, animal shelters around New Zealand are gearing up for their busiest time of the year. The Helping You Help Animals (HUHA) charity, in particular, is expecting a significant influx of animals over the Christmas period. With a new home on Haywards Hill, near Wellington, HUHA is currently housing around 600 animals, including cats, dogs, rural animals, and wildlife. According to HUHA founder and chief executive Carolyn Press McKenzie, the charity is a "diverse crew" that is dedicated to providing a safe haven for animals in need.
The Diverse Range of Animals at HUHA
HUHA’s animal population is incredibly diverse, with everything from cats and dogs to pigs, cows, sheep, and birds. The charity even cares for wildlife, demonstrating its commitment to helping any animal that needs assistance. One heartwarming example of HUHA’s work is the story of a pregnant chihuahua that was marked for euthanization due to her owners’ inability to afford a cesarean section. Thanks to crowdfunding, the dog and her puppies were saved, and they will spend Christmas at the shelter before returning home. This story highlights the importance of HUHA’s work and the impact that the charity has on the lives of animals in need.
The Challenges of Caring for So Many Animals
Despite the best efforts of HUHA’s 20 staff members and 200 volunteers, the charity is still struggling to cope with the demand for its services. Press McKenzie admits that this time of year is a "revolving door" of animals arriving and leaving the shelter, with many animals coming in due to changes in their owners’ circumstances, such as losing their homes or experiencing financial stress. The charity is also dealing with the consequences of irresponsible pet ownership, including unwanted litters of puppies and kittens. To address this issue, HUHA is urging people to do their due diligence before adopting a pet and to make sure they can provide a suitable home for the animal.
The Importance of Responsible Pet Ownership
As HUHA prepares for the busy summer season, Press McKenzie is emphasizing the importance of responsible pet ownership. She encourages people to "be a good parent" to their pets and to make sure they can provide the life that the animal deserves. This includes doing research on the animal’s needs and talking to shelters like HUHA, which have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share. By taking the time to understand the animal’s needs and making a commitment to care for them for the rest of their life, people can help reduce the number of animals that end up in shelters like HUHA. Furthermore, responsible pet ownership can also help reduce the number of unwanted litters and prevent animal cruelty.
The Role of Volunteers and Staff
HUHA relies heavily on its volunteers and staff to care for the animals at the shelter. With around 200 volunteers cycling through, the charity is able to provide a range of services, from animal care to "op shop" work. However, despite the best efforts of the volunteers and staff, HUHA is still struggling to cope with the demand for its services. Press McKenzie acknowledges that the charity is "walking around cross-eyed and a bit dishevelled" due to the sheer volume of work, highlighting the need for continued support from the community. The charity is grateful for the help of its volunteers and staff, and is always looking for new people to join the team.
Conclusion
In conclusion, animal shelters like HUHA are facing a busy and challenging summer season, with a high volume of animals coming in and leaving over the Christmas period. The charity is urging people to do their due diligence before adopting a pet and to make sure they can provide a suitable home for the animal. By taking the time to understand the animal’s needs and making a commitment to care for them for the rest of their life, people can help reduce the number of animals that end up in shelters like HUHA. With the help of its volunteers and staff, HUHA is dedicated to providing a safe haven for animals in need, and is always looking for new ways to support the community and promote responsible pet ownership. As the summer season approaches, it is essential that people are aware of the importance of animal welfare and the role that they can play in making a difference. By working together, we can create a better future for animals in need and reduce the number of animals that end up in shelters like HUHA.