Leaving your legacy where your heart is

We were very saddened to learn of the passing of Peter Knight, a Giving Hearts member and a wonderful man who loved dogs. Through his legacy of love, Peter has helped ensure that dogs and puppies at SPCA’s Hamilton Centre have the facilities they need to recover, be rehabilitated, and rehomed.

SPCA Hamilton’s Canine Area

While we always endeavour to keep the areas where animals are housed in our Centres as fit for purpose as we can, over time these areas can need repairs and work. This was the case in our Hamilton Centre, where four of the seven dog kennels badly needed improvements to protect our furry friends from the elements on both hot and rainy days. The runs included kennels and shade cloths which were in desperate need of an upgrade.

Because of Peter’s generosity, the four exposed areas have received the renovations they needed. New walls that reached the roof were built. Each individual dog run had its own door installed, making them the same as the other runs.

These improvements are already making a huge difference to all the puppies and dogs in our care, whether for the short- or long-term.

The improved facility means that dogs won’t be outside in the elements - warm and dry in the winter and out of the baking sun in the summer. It’s easier to clean which is important as dogs naturally don’t want to mess in their sleeping area. The less cleaning, the more time staff and volunteers have to spend with the dogs.

The dogs can choose where they want to rest, and the freedom to seek shelter and comfort where they feel safest. Many dogs who come into our care can be timid, overwhelmed, or simply exhausted, and being able to provide them this comfort is invaluable.

The Dog Bath

Peter’s gift also provided for a desperately needed dog bath for the Centre. Previously, dogs at the Centre were washed in a controlled environment with a hose a bucket. While this is standard for many dog owners in their home, the dogs we have in care are often nervous at first, being in an unfamiliar place with people they do not yet know. The previous bathing set-up could be terrifying for some of these dogs, much as our team tried to make it as calm and enjoyable a process as possible.

The new bathing area is purpose-built, so it minimises stress and helps dogs feel safe and soothed. Bath time will no longer be stressful for dogs and will help build their trust in humans.

But Peter’s legacy doesn’t end there. At Peter’s request, funds remaining after these improvements were made have been allocated to desexing efforts. This means Peter’s legacy will continue to ripple throughout the lives of many animals.

With his generous gift, Peter is literally wrapping traumatised dogs in love and care – what an amazing legacy for him to leave. We are so grateful to Peter for making these improvements possible.

It is only because of Giving Hearts members like you and Peter that SPCA can help and support the vulnerable animals that we do. We are privileged to share the impact these special gifts make. Your gifts in Wills are our lifeblood to giving these vulnerable animals the second chance at life they deserve. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you so much.