News

NEWSFLASH: Please Help Us to Help Them

News 04 August 2012

DOGS, PIGS, GEESE, CATS, ROOSTERS, CAGED HENS, THE ROSS SEA, BRIE’S SPONSORS, VEGAN DOG FOOD, FILMS, HUMOUR, DONATIONS

DEAR FRIENDS,
(If you are too busy to read the newsflash, please make a donation and scroll down to have your say on the future of egg production in New Zealand)

Linda

It has been almost five months since my last newsflash and during that time many beautiful creatures have been saved and their new guardians are doting on them…But many more are still in need of safe havens. Only a handful are included in this newsflash.

Thanks to our loyal supporters, our vet bill was halved following my last newsletter plea. For more details please click here and scroll down to “Update on Vet Bill Fundraising”. We still have an outstanding account of more than $3,600.00 which means animals are waiting for treatment. We have two cats and a dog needing dentistry, seven homeless cats waiting to be vet checked and neutered/spayed, three senior cats needing blood tests and a dog requiring a special diabetes diet, weekly blood testing and daily insulin injections. We also need to buy supplementary pig feed, chicken pellets, 60 sacks of kitty litter crystals, pet electric blankets, large rescue crates, wire mesh and petrol vouchers for volunteer drivers. We would greatly appreciate contributions so that we are able to continue our work with animals in strife. Click here to make your urgent donation.

Please read on and help out in any way possible… Many, many thanks. Love Linda.

BREE NEEDS AN INCLUSIVE LIFESTYLE

Bree is a healthy, sweet-natured and very affectionate, 7-year-old purebred English Bull Terrier who needs basic training with a loving guardian. Sadly, when the human babies arrived, there was never enough time to exercise Bree, or to take her to obedience classes.

Bree would suit a securely fenced home where she would be included in indoor and outdoor activities, taken for daily walks and generally be treated as a priority in someone’s life. She must be the only dog in the household so that all attention will be focussed on her. Bree is currently in Auckland. For more information and pictures or to apply for her adoption, please click here and scroll down to her advert.

URGENT: LILY, LEONARD & FLOYD WILL SOON BE HOMELESS

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Due to a marriage break-up and the upcoming sale of the rural property, this family of pet Kunekune pigs urgently need a loving home. The parents, Lily and Leonard are seven years old and their son Floyd is five.

Ideally we would like them to all be adopted together, but if necessary, Leonard may be separately re-homed.They will need plenty of pasture to eat, along with commercial feed and table scraps. Fresh water must be provided each day and they will require shelter within a large, securely fenced area. It would be wonderful if their friendly natures could be maintained through plenty of human love, touch and interaction.

This lovely trio is currently in Auckland. For more information and pictures or to apply for their adoption, please click here.

NOTE: Their caregiver is struggling to provide enough food for these friendly pigs. Sacks of ‘Pig Tucker’ are $25.00. Please click here to sponsor a bag of food for them while we seek out a safe haven. Thank you.

GEESE SEEK SAFE RURAL HOMES ASAP

W Springs 6 Geese are at risk in an Auckland park because they are crossing a busy road. To their credit, the park staff are determined to prevent a cull and have contacted us in the hope that these fascinating birds can all be humanely re-homed in family groups.Geese graze on pasture just as well as sheep, they fertilize the land and make excellent pets and watch ‘dogs’.

Their new homes will need to provide large lawn or grassy paddock areas, fresh drinking water, natural or manmade shelter and protection from roaming dogs. Preference will be given where a pond, dam or other open body of water is available to them.

If you are able to rescue some of these geese, please apply with photographs of your property. Adoption criteria apply. For more information and pictures, please click here and scroll down.

KITTY NEEDS A LOVING RETIREMENT HOME

Kitty’s heart-wrenched family are between homes and in an unstable lifestyle. kitty 3 This eighteen-year-old cat has a loud meow and still likes to play and to steal the leftovers from cereal bowls. She does a lot of sleeping these days, but she also likes to chase strings and toss objects into the air.

Kitty particularly enjoys knocking pens off tables and exploring newspaper tepee shapes. She likes to sleep on human beds and to have her tummy rubbed (when she’s in the mood). If she is being ignored when she wants attention, Kitty may bite your toes. Kitty is wary of other cats since being attacked by one recently, but would be fine with a cat-friendly dog. If you can offer this dear senior citizen a kind, warm, safe retirement home and are happy to always have a litter tray indoors, I look forward to your application. Kitty has just moved from Auckland to Bulls, but unfortunately, she may soon be on the move again. For more photos of her, or to apply for her adoption, please click here.

NOTE: Before her adoption, Kitty will need an extensive vet check, blood tests and possible dentistry. Please click here to help us with these costs.

WINSTON & CHURCHILL SEEK SAFE HAVEN(S)

rooster4 rooster1 Even when they are as gorgeous as these purebred clutch-mates, finding safe homes for roosters is our greatest challenge. Most people want to eat them or use them as breeding machines and then kill or sell their offspring. Neither option is acceptable to Animal Re-homing.

If you are zoned rural and will enjoy Winston the Sussex and Churchill the Wyandotte purely for their beauty, their youthful crows and their fascinating antics, then I would love to hear from you.
These 6-month-old cockerels will need to be kept safe from dogs and if they are living with hens, you must have a plan in place to prevent breeding. These handsome boys are currently in Auckland. It would be ideal if they were adopted together, but we will consider separating them if necessary.

To read more about these buddies, to view more photographs or to apply for their adoption, please click here.

ARE COLONY CAGES FOR EGG-LAYING HENS ANY BETTER?

Few people will deny that battery hen cages are a disgrace. Mainland Poultry, the biggest battery farm in the country, refused media access to the proposed new colony cage system being trialled, so NZ Open Rescue went in to investigate. In March 2012 they documented their findings in a 2 minute video clip. To view it, please click here.

The Minister for Primary Industries, David Carter, is about to announce the latest Code of Welfare for Layer Hens. To let him know that you are opposed to all cruel cage systems, please go to SAFE’S website or click here.

To have no part in the exploitation of these beautiful, lively, friendly creatures, please consider removing eggs from your diet altogether. Male chicks are superfluous to the egg industry so they are mass killed at birth all over the world - regardless of whether battery, barn or free-range egg production systems are involved. The usual killing methods are by gassing or by maceration/fragmentation – including here in New Zealand.

To read an article and veterinary comment on maceration, please click here.

WARNING: To view maceration, the standard killing method of grinding up male chicks while they are still alive, click here.

PROTECT THE ROSS SEA. PLEASE HAVE YOUR SAY

Emperor Penguin Ross Sea The World’s Governments are meeting to decide on the fate of the pristine Ross Sea. As the nearest neighbours to this magnificent natural resource, caring New Zealander’s are desperate to keep mining, oil drilling, commercial fishing and other exploitative industries out of this Antarctic wonderland.

To join thousands of your countrymen and women in telling our Minister for Foreign Affairs that we want the Ross Sea protected, please click here.

This action is organised by Greenpeace NZ.

WHO IS SPONSORING BRIE?

When three kind-hearted professionals heard that Brie needed help to get her walking again, they generously offered to sponsor her treatments. Please support these businesses if you know of anyone needing help with their animals.

Kath of Nose to Tail sponsors Brie’s hydrotherapy, bathing and nail-clipping needs. Click here to see photos of Brie swimming under Kath’s guidance.
Becky of Total Physiotherapy sponsors Brie’s physiotherapy treatments. Click here to see Brie receiving her treatments.
Sarah of Holistic Animal Therapy sponsors Brie’s homeopathic requirements. Sarah may be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

A GIFT OF VEGAN DOG FOOD ARRIVES

Ami Dog Food We are delighted that Supreme Master Ching Hai heard of our work with animals and as a gesture of kindness and generosity, she has gifted Animal Re-homing with multiple sacks of AMI vegan dog food.

We have always fed the dogs in our personal care this beautifully balanced, cruelty-free food, but cost has prohibited us from also feeding it to the dogs in foster care. As a way to thank her for her benevolence, please dine at any of the Loving Hut vegan restaurants in New Zealand and around the world.

To purchase AMI vegan pet food, please contact Dawn at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To visit the Facebook page, please click here.

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Film: PEACEABLE KINGDOM: The Journey Home

On rare occasions a movie is created that touches the core of our humanity. Peaceable Kingdom is one of these moving, remarkable films that can change the way we view and behave in this fragile world…and in the world of the other creatures who try to share it with us.

For a preview of this award winning feature documentary, please click here.

Film: THE CRY OF THE INNOCENT: The Voices That Can’t Speak

Fur Skinned fox I am sure that no-one on my animal-friendly database wears fur or fur trim anymore. I have learned that even wearing fake fur can encourage others to wear the real thing. You may have friends, acquaintances and colleagues who still haven’t made the connection between fashion fur and horrific animal suffering. Please forward this newsflash to them. This documentary seeks to bring an end to one of the most abhorrent actions of humankind.

For a preview of this upcoming film, please click here.

WARNING: For a disturbingly graphic video of the Chinese fur industry, click here.

HUMAN ANIMALS ENTERTAIN WITHOUT CRUELTY

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(No circus, no rodeo, no dog or horse racing, no bullfighting, no marine mammal park, no hunting, etc)

You will laugh out loud when you see this loving father and son perform with humour, style and an irresistible zest for life. The more often you watch it, the more delightfully playful movements you will notice. Please click here…

…AND NOW THAT YOU’RE FEELING MORE CHEERFUL…

vet Please remember our huge vet bill and click here to help us out. Thank you.

“NOSE TO TAIL” SPONSORS HYDROTHERAPY FOR BRIE

News 14 May 2012

When Kath, the owner-operator of Nose to Tail heard about Brie learning to walk again, she generously offered to sponsor hydrotherapy sessions for her. We hope this will assist her in her walking, general body strength and stamina.

Today Brie had her first time in the heated swimming pool under the loving guidance of Kath (pictured). Brie was treated like royalty from the moment she arrived there. She was cuddled and reassured as her life jacket was fitted, passing staff members stopped to pet and chat with her and I gave her small treats as she was lowered into the pool.

At first Brie was wide-eyed and unsure, but she soon relaxed into the warm water and enjoyed her limbs being able to move freely with only the water to resist them. Her first session was for 5 minutes, which is equivalent to an 8km run. In time we hope to move up to the maximum time of 15 minutes and to have the water jets turned on to make her work a little harder.

When the timer beeped, we carefully lifted Brie out of the pool, praised her some more and allowed her to rest a little before taking her to one of the bathing booths. Kath taught me how to use the facility to remove any chlorine from Brie’s fur. A gentle lavender shampoo was provided, along with a plastic apron for me and all the equipment required to wash and dry a dog.

Other customers were busily bathing their own canine companions, staff members were grooming others, nails were being clipped, dog goodies were being purchased at the shop and dogs waiting for their treatments were merrily woofing among themselves. It’s a lovely and busy, custom-built enterprise where dogs leave feeling, looking and smelling wonderful.

When we got home, dear Brie flopped down on her mat, I covered her with a warm blanket and she slept for two solid hours.

When she awoke, her demeanour was cheerful and playful. She was like a flirtatious pup. She had obviously enjoyed the stimulation and was clearly feeling good for the extra exercise and positive interactions. We look forward to our next session on Friday.

Please support Nose to Tail. This is a North Shore, Auckland-based business with heart that is totally committed to helping dogs and their caregivers to enjoy the bathing, grooming and hydrotherapy experiences.

Animal Re-homing is deeply indebted to Kath Fitzpatrick and her staff for their kind sponsorship of our animals. To read about Brie’s story, please click here.

UPDATE
Brie has now enjoyed dozens of hydrotherapy sessions and continues to attend three times each week. She is swimming against rapids for the maximum time allowed and her stamina continues to surprise the staff. Her vet has advised that her weight is perfect, she is sitting and standing in preference to laying down, she is walking unassisted, she is less prone to infections and her mood is playful and happy. It's lovely that Brie is keen to get out of the car when we arrive there - knowing that she will soon be fussed over and pacing herself in the pool. We continue to be impressed with this facility and are so grateful for the competent assistance afforded to Animal Re-homing.

Please click here to watch a lovely video clip of Brie in the hydrotherapy pool. Many thanks to staff member Michael (who is Brie's primary lifter in and out of the pool), for providing the clip.

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INCA NEEDS OUR HELP

News 03 May 2012

Update: Inca's life has been saved. She had her surgery and is managing exceptionally well on three legs. Huge thanks to Eyal and Fiona for donating the first $75 towards her vet bill and to Bettina and Pat for contributing the balance. A fabulous team effort and outcome!

ORIGINAL PLEA: INCA NEEDS OUR HELP
Dear Friends,

inca

This morning I had an urgent call about a lovely cat named Inca (pictured), who was hit by a car on Tuesday night and stayed at an afterhours emergency clinic. Yesterday she was taken to a local vet for pain relief, X-rays and blood tests. It turns out she has a broken jaw and is in need of a leg amputation. Thankfully there is no internal bleeding or organ damage and her health is otherwise excellent.

Since then, Inca has been awaiting euthanasia or surgery, depending on whether or not enough funds could be raised. Her caregiver has been distraught because she cannot afford the $1,984.00 to have Inca’s jaw wired and her front leg amputated. And she has been unable to bring herself to give permission to have her cat euthanized.

I spoke with the vet this morning and he said Inca’s prognosis should be good following surgery, but that she was currently very uncomfortable. I spontaneously offered to pay the first $500 – if he would agree to go ahead with Inca’s surgeries today. I just couldn’t put the phone down and leave Inca to suffer or die. Thankfully her guardian is allowed to pay the rest of the bill off by instalment arrangements with the clinic. Inca is undergoing surgery as I write.

inca2 Are you able to assist me with raising the $500.00 I have pledged please? We have cared for Grace, a three-legged cat, for many years and she absolutely thrives as an amputee. I couldn’t bear to think of any animal’s life being taken when surgery is all that is required.

Please CLICK HERE for payment options. Thank you so much in anticipation.

Love Linda

UPDATE ON VET BILL FUNDRAISING

News 23 March 2012

The response to my plea for help with Animal Re-homing’s vet bill has been just wonderful. Thank you so much to everyone who dug deep to help out. In addition to donations, the Trade Me auctions have raised $965.00. Many thanks to George for donating four of his beautiful handcrafted dog sculptures for this purpose. Thank you also to Anne, Ems, Carol and Karen for their winning bids. To purchase sculptures of your own, please contact George at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. erin fundraising

So far, I have been able to pay exactly $3,000.00 to Forrest Hill Vet Clinic which leaves almost $3,000.00 currently outstanding. This feels a lot more comfortable than owing almost six thousand dollars - but if any of you would like to rattle a donation bucket (see photo of Erin) or have other ideas to further reduce the bill, it would be very much appreciated. I recently rescued a Bichon Fris (see photo of Joey below) who was facing a lethal injection. His delighted new caregiver is organising a gold coin afternoon tea at her workplace. Many thanks Kathleen!

Brie the Golden Lab has just celebrated her 12^th birthday. She enjoyed a special outing and food treat, and to mark the occasion, my dear husband custom-built a gently sloping ramp to assist her passage in and out of the house. Brie is pictured encouraging his construction efforts. Her blood sugar levels were perfect this week – fingers crossed they have finally stabilised.

Chance has recovered beautifully from his urethral surgery thanks to the expertise of his operating surgeon, Kevin O’Meara. This sweet boy has now had his sutures removed and is showing all the signs of being a very happy and healthy puss. The relief from repeated irritation must be the reason he is suddenly leaping on to benches and shelves, smooching and purring non-stop. The photos taken today show him waiting for his dinner and with his friend Milly. [Milly and her four colony mates were living on the large property of an old man. When he passed away, his sons came with guns to shoot the untouched cats. Thankfully we were alerted and the sons allowed us to trap the cats. We had nowhere to relocate them and TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) wasn't an option, so Milly, Princess, Handsome, Poncho, Trouble and two tiny kittens all came home with us for taming].

With gratitude for your loyal support,

Love Linda

paul entrance joe bischon1

chance millie chance millie2

Update

News 22 March 2012

Last night Lonely Miaow advised me that the verbal information I was given regarding Chance’s rescue varies from some of the information in their vet records. LM has not divulged the differences and will not release a copy of the records to me via the vet clinic. In respect of their claim I have adjusted Chance’s rescue story below to a bare minimum - in the hope that any discrepancies have been addressed. If you are concerned about the well-being of undomesticated homeless cats, we recommend you verify that the rescue organisation you contact has a policy of Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) or relocation as a possible options. Thank you.