SPCA New Zealand

Alvin

Male Mixed Breed

4 months old

Adopt me from Kerikeri

Animal ID: #636454

A little bit about me

🐾 Meet Alvin the chipmunk!

This gorgeous boy is currently out in a wonderful foster home, this is what his foster Mum says about him:

"Alvin is a small dog with a big personality! He has been in foster care with two other senior dogs since he was around two months old and is full of curiosity, energy and affection towards both people and dogs.

He would love a home with a playmate who he can snuggle up with. Alvin is a bright, determined little dog with loads of character.

Alvin is always up for a play with a toy or a good chew on bark, leaves or soft toys - as after all he is still teething. Alvin (like his namesake the chipmunk) has a squeaky voice which he uses to communicate with when playing, tumbling and running around or when he is wanting to be picked up for a cuddle or just wants some attention.

He enjoys his lap time just as much as playtime and likes to sleep near people or other dogs whenever he can. He's not so sure about the vacuum and is getting used to car rides. He has been on walks to the beach, the river and along the neighbourhood street. He is learning well in a harness to walk on leash, especially alongside other dogs. He is young, growing still, learning fast and will make you laugh every day.

Alvin would do well in a home with friendly pets and children, and people who have the time to engage with this dynamic character."

Are you ready to adopt?

1. Can you care for a companion animal for their whole life?

  • The average lifespan of dogs and cats is around 12 years but some dogs and cats can live 20 years or more!
  • If you want to adopt a pet for your children, consider that children can tire quickly of the routine of caring for the animal. Parents often quickly become the animal’s primary caregiver and need to be OK with that. Therefore, adding a new animal to your family must be a family decision and a family-wide responsibility.
  • If you are planning to move to another country or travel in the future, it might not be the right time to adopt an animal. However, it is possible to move country with your animal, and also to manage travel so that your animal is well cared for when you are away. Moving country and travel are situations that can be managed, but this can be expensive and needs careful consideration and planning.

2. Can you afford to care for the pet you are considering adopting?

All animals available for adoption from SPCA have been health checked, and most are desexed, vaccinated and microchipped (for details see each adoption listing, as the exact details can vary by species); all of these are included in the adoption fee. However, there are also ongoing costs associated with having a companion animal that you need to consider.

These may include the following:

  • Quality food and treats
  • Worm and flea treatments
  • Items such as leashes, toys, collars, housing, bedding, kennel, crates, enclosures
  • Annual health check and vaccinations
  • Veterinary visits and treatments due to illness or accidents, and preventative care
  • Fees for boarding or home care for your animal if you need to go away
  • Doggy Day care fees if you have to be away from your dog for long periods
  • Training classes for puppies and dogs
  • Annual registration fees for dogs (this is a legal requirement)
  • Grooming expenses
  • The cost of things that your animal might damage or that might suffer wear and tear, such as shoes, TV remote controls, books, couches, carpets, etc.

To help you get an idea of the cost of keeping a companion animal, Companion Animals NZ has published data showing that companion animal owners spend on average the following amounts per year:

  • $670 on their cat
  • $1200 on their dog (larger dogs can be more expensive)
  • $785 on their horse
  • $310 on their rabbit

However, depending on an animal’s individual needs these costs could be significantly higher.

3. Are you able to care for the pet you are considering adopting?

  • It is your responsibility to know how to properly care for your animals; the Animal Welfare Act 1999 states that “the owner of an animal, and every person in charge of an animal, must ensure that the physical, health, and behavioural needs of the animal are met in a manner that is in accordance with both good practice and scientific knowledge.”
  • We can give advice on how to care for companion animals and help with any questions you might have. Your veterinarian is another source of credible and helpful information about caring for animals.
  • Doing your research before you decide to adopt an animal will help you to make a good and informed choice about whether you can care for an animal and what animal would be most suitable for your situation.
  • It is important that you are able to set aside adequate time to feed, exercise, groom, and interact with/play with your companion animal for their entire lifetime.

4. Is your home suitable for the animal you are considering adopting?

  • The size of your home and garden and the location of your home are significant factors that determine how suitable your home is for a particular animal. For example, dogs need a safe, fenced section, shelter, shade and enough space outside in which to exercise, explore and play. If you are thinking of adopting a cat and letting the cat outside, then you need to consider that cats can get injured on roads or affect local wildlife. Rabbits and guinea pigs need space inside, or a fenced area outside, in which to exercise, explore, and play.
  • Some landlords do not allow their tenants to have animals. This means that having a companion animal can affect how easy it is to find a rental property and is something that you should consider if you are renting.
  • If you already have companion animals, it is very important that you consider them, and how they will adapt to a new arrival, when thinking of adding another animal to your family.

5. Will a pet fit into your lifestyle?

  • Long working hours, a busy social life and regular trips away are all factors that will influence whether your lifestyle is suitable to share with a companion animal, and also what kind of animal might be best suited to you. It is important to consider these factors before deciding to adopt.
  • All companion animals need human company and if you don’t spend enough time with them this can make them unhappy and seriously affect their quality of life.
  • You should not adopt a companion animal unless you are:
    • home often enough to keep your animal company (or have someone else at home to keep the animal company)
    • prepared to walk your dog every day (if you are thinking of adopting a dog)
    • able to give your animal the basic training they need
    • able to arrange suitable care for your animal when you are away

If you have carefully thought through all of the questions above and your answer to all of the questions is ‘YES’, then you are ready to adopt!

If you said ‘no’ to any of the questions above or are unsure, please consider what you would need to do to ensure you are well prepared to become a responsible companion animal owner.

Visit our Advice and Welfare section for more detailed information about caring for specific animals .

Contact your local SPCA centre if you have any queries regarding animal ownership.

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