SPCA Rotorua steps into the community

Set up outside the local shops and supported by the Western Heights Community Association, our team - Kere Winiata-Katting, Jade Eaves, Ruby Collier, and Emily Hammond - ran a two-hour outreach session offering free desexing vouchers and parasite treatments for local pet owners.

Despite it being their first time running an event like this, they were met with an overwhelming response. Within minutes, a line had formed. The team barely had time to catch their breath - phones out, clipboards ready, surrounded by pet owners keen to do the right thing for their animals.

Over the course of the session, they distributed 102 desexing vouchers, with a 60/40 split between cats and dogs - a remarkable result that shows just how needed this support is. Many people also gratefully received parasite treatments for their pets, helping to ensure they remain healthy, itch-free, and safe.

This outreach wasn’t just about vouchers or treatments - it was about trust. It was about meeting people where they are, listening to their stories, and showing that SPCA is a partner. “It was a bit of a blur at the start,” one team member shared, “but we saw so much appreciation. You could tell how relieved people were to get help.”

This is exactly the kind of work that fitted perfectly with Rotorua Trust through their Healthy Communities & Environment Initiative, and the Four Winds Foundation who funded parasite treatments. It’s about reducing unwanted litters, improving public and animal health, and making pet ownership more accessible for families doing it tough. And it’s just the beginning.

We'd also like to say a special thank you to the Western Heights Community Association for helping us connect with their neighbourhood, and arranging space to set up.

As we look to continue these sessions across the city, we know we’ll keep learning, growing, and reaching more people and pets who need us. To Kere, Jade, Ruby, Emily and Centre Manager Lynne Gillies - thank you for making more history for SPCA Rotorua. Your compassion is changing lives, one conversation at a time!