SPCA welcomes two new ambassadors – Suzanne Paul and Debbie Hockley

SPCA is proud to partner with Suzanne Paul and Debbie Hockley, who are both passionate about animal welfare and SPCA’s mission. Ambassadors are involved in events, raising funds and work alongside SPCA teams to improve the lives of animals coming into care.

Suzanne Paul is well known for her appearances on TV shows such as, Guess who’s Coming to dinner, winning Dancing with the Stars and recently starring in Celebrity Treasure Island with the SPCA being her chosen charity.

Her mission is to get more people to give senior dogs a chance at receiving the love and care they deserve and is thrilled to now be an ambassador for SPCA to help raise awareness and much needed funds to care for animals in need.

“I’m very drawn towards elderly dogs, and although it breaks my heart that I might only get to share their lives for a few years, at least at the end, they know they are very loved and wanted,” Suzanne says.

Suzanne has been rescuing and adopting dogs for the past 20 years, with a soft spot for senior dogs, that often get overlooked.

Along with her husband Patrick, they recently rescued nine kittens that were living in the bush around their home, finding forever homes for all of them.

While Debbie Hockley may be more familiar in New Zealand for her cricketing career, having played for the White Ferns for 22 years; being inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2013 and serving as NZ Cricket President from 2016-2022, fewer people will know that at her 40th birthday celebrations, she asked her guests to bring bags of cat and dog food instead of gifts, which she then donated to the SPCA.

Since becoming an SPCA volunteer four years ago, Debbie says she has developed an even-greater respect for the employees and volunteers of the SPCA, from seeing first-hand what they do.

“I have nothing but admiration and gratitude for the SPCA staff and volunteers for what is collectively achieved for animals and birds through this organisation’s work. I love the teamwork that goes on to get the best results possible for these animals that rely on us”.

“I’m really chuffed to become an SPCA Ambassador so I can champion the organisation’s work and its people – the people who strive to protect and care for animals as well as educating us humans on care and kindness”.

Debbie has been a very loyal supporter of the SPCA for many decades, starting off and continuing with regular monetary donations and more recently through volunteering at the Christchurch SPCA Centre where she’s earned her stripes picking up horse manure and cleaning out the chicken aviaries.

She also indulges in some DIY projects like making rooster perches, and creating rails for horse covers to be placed on, which then protect the gates from dropping on their hinges.