Grant from The Harcourts Foundation funds microchips for SPCA Hamilton

At SPCA, we see the heartbreak of lost companion animals far too often - but we also see the joy of reunions made possible thanks to one small but powerful tool: a microchip.

Mufasa is just one much-loved pet who was saved by his microchip. This boy went missing from his home in West Hamilton five years ago. His devoted family did everything right - putting out posters, shelter calls, talking to neighbours - but there was no sign of him. Even after eventually moving to Auckland, his owners never lost hope, and they kept his microchip details up to date in the NZ Companion Animal Register.

Years later, Mufasa arrived at our Hamilton Centre as a suspected stray. A quick scan revealed his microchip, and just like that, we were able to get in touch with his family. What followed was a heartwarming reunion—proof of just how vital microchipping is for our animals and their people.

As a charity, SPCA relies heavily on donations to cover costs involved with getting animals ready for adoption, including veterinary treatment, desexing surgeries, vaccinations, and essential microchipping.

The Harcourts Foundation has provided a generous grant of $2,508 for microchips, to help ease this pressure on our Centre. These microchips will give our animals the best chance of finding their way back home if they’re ever lost, stolen, or become separated by disaster.

The Harcourts Foundation is funded through the generosity of Harcourts New Zealand team members, who donate a portion of their commission from property sales. Every dollar goes back into the communities where it’s needed most.

Last month, Rowena Parfitt, our wonderful Foster Coordinator, attended a celebratory meeting at the office of Monarch Real Estate (Harcourts Hamilton) to thank them for their amazing support. With six years at SPCA under her belt, Rowena was able to share Mufasa’s story and the impact that microchipping has for animals and people.

We greatly appreciate this grant, and the impact it will have on all the Hamilton animals who find their way to our Centre and move on to their forever homes.