March of the Puppies – It’s “moving day” for Wellington’s SPCA! (part rua)

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Continued from: March of the Puppies – It’s “moving day” for Wellington’s SPCA!  (part tahi)

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SPCA

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NZ, Wellington, 22 December 2013 – On Sunday 22 December, it was moving day for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). A march of puppies, dogs, and their Human companions made the two kilometre journey on foot – and paw – from their previous premises in Adelaide Road, to the old Fever Hospital in Mt Victoria.

Halfway along their journey, the marchers made their way up Constable St, on a fine Wellington summer day,

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SPCA - puppy march - Wellington - 22 December 2013

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Meanwhile, in Alexander Road, which runs along part of the Mt Victoria ridge-line, the convoy of SPCA vehicles had arrived and parked on the roadside, outside the Fever Hospital grounds,

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SPCA - puppy march - Wellington - 22 December 2013

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The convoy made it’s way into the old-hospital grounds, where their passengers disembarked,

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SPCA - puppy march - Wellington - 22 December 2013

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The smallest of the small, were given special attention, to help any frayed nerves,

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SPCA - puppy march - Wellington - 22 December 2013

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The new premises would offer much more space for Human and animal alike, putting to good use a historic building ,

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SPCA - puppy march - Wellington - 22 December 2013

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As Dominion Post journalist, Kate Chapman wrote on 5 December, last year,

There are now stainless benches and crisp white walls where previously there was junk and graffiti. A “dog house” building has been erected, along with a new fence to help keep animals within the grounds. Cupboards are ready for use and workers are busy with the final pieces of work – including painting and preparing to install cages.

“We’ll be working right up till the time we move in,” chief executive Iain Torrance said yesterday.

The laundry has been deliberately left half-finished, to help retain the heritage look and show how the hospital used to be.

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SPCA - puppy march - Wellington - 22 December 2013

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SPCA - puppy march - Wellington - 22 December 2013

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Eventually, the ‘stars’ of the day, the March of Puppies, arrived, much to the delight of the crowd (off camera) watching,

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SPCA - puppy march - Wellington - 22 December 2013

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It had been a long walk, and both four-footed and two footed were looking forward to cool drinks and inspecting their new home,

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SPCA - puppy march - Wellington - 22 December 2013

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Nearly there…

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SPCA - puppy march - Wellington - 22 December 2013

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And finally arrived at their new ‘digs’,

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SPCA - puppy march - Wellington - 22 December 2013

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Human companion and ‘Misty’, patiently waiting to enter her new home,

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SPCA - puppy march - Wellington - 22 December 2013

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Meanwhile, Wellington mayor and invited guest, Celia Wade-Brown was on-hand to watch the move and see for herself how the City’s investment was being put to good use. She stood with SPCA chief executive, Iain Torrance, as the walkers went by,

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SPCA - puppy march - Wellington - 22 December 2013

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Iain gave Celia a guided tour of the facilities, pointing out each new feature and where specific work would be carried out by staff and community volunteers,

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SPCA - puppy march - Wellington - 22 December 2013

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In between showing Celia through the facilities, this blogger spoke to Celia and Iain. I asked them both for their views and thoughts on the day.

Celia made no effort to hide her enthusiasm for the partnership project between Council and SPCA,

I’m delighted to see the dogs and cats and other animals coming up here. This fever hospital has been empty for ages and this such a superb partnership. It’s going to be a great place to take the dogs for  walks and Iain’s just been telling me about the dog-friendly cafe.  I think whether you’ve got a dog or not, this is a great place to walk to.”

Iain Torrance, the SPCA’s chief executive was equally excited about the new premises and soon-to-be-opened public cafe,

By Easter we’re looking to get a cafe set up right here behind us. So this is all about bringing the public back into a community site. It’s got a community location for the community to use. So this’ll bring a whole lot of people up here. They walk their dogs here anyway, and this will use the whole town belt, so they can  come in, make use of the building, and actually come and have a look at the dogs and cats and all the other animals available for adoption. But bring your own pet along as well!

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SPCA - puppy march - Wellington - 22 December 2013

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Meanwhile, the puppies and dogs were being settled in to their little “apartment” cubicles by their Human companions,

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SPCA - puppy march - Wellington - 22 December 2013

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A well earned rest by both Human volunteers, and their companion-animal charges,

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SPCA - puppy march - Wellington - 22 December 2013

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Though ‘Misty‘ had her own area outside,

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SPCA - puppy march - Wellington - 22 December 2013

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There was plenty of love and dedication shown by staff and volunteers alike, for their animal charges. It was evident that these animals were in good hands, and well tended to,

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SPCA - puppy march - Wellington - 22 December 2013

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It’s a shame that the same cannot be said for all our companion animals outside of the fences of the SPCA.

This event also marked the positive aspect of local bodies engaging with community organisations and investing ratepayer’s money in worthy projects. If anything demonstrated that Councils have a role other than rubbish, roads, and reticulation – this partnership between the SPCA and ratepayers was a clear example.

So next time some politician in the Beehive complains that local bodies should focus on just “the basics” – remember that life and the communities we live in consist of more than just “the basics”.

Enjoying more than just “the basics” is what makes our country; our cities; our neigbourhoods generally the envy of the world. Though there is certainly much more we can do to improve the lot of many of our fellow New Zealanders – whether on two feet or four.

It’s not often that this blogger gets to write a positive story – but this is one of those pleasurable moments. So, a big bouquet to Wellington’s mayor, councillors, and the staff and volunteers at the SPCA.

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Bouquet

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Job well done.

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Donations

The SPCA is still seeking public assistance to help pay for the up-grades and renovations at their new complex. Even contributions of a few dollars will be helpful. So if you can, check out the Donations page. Every little bit helps!

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Media

Fairfax media: SPCA’s new home among the ghosts

Fairfax media: SPCA Move to New Home at Fever Pitch

Fairfax media: Wellington SPCA Moves To New Home

Information

Live Journal: Fever Hospital – Wellington, NZ

Donate: SPCA Page

Facebook: Wellington SPCA

Historic Places Trust: Fever Hospital (Former)

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