When a family is in crisis it can make all the difference to know their best friend is being looked after.
Wellington Police¡¯s Dog Section has given Porirua Women¡¯s Refuge - Te Whare Tiaki Wahine - a refurbished kennel and run for times when a family just can¡¯t leave their dog.
The project arose from a conversation between refuge manager Caroline Herewini ONZM and Constable Rob Eastham, of Porirua¡¯s family harm team, about potential complications in trying to help families when a pet is involved.
Rob, who fosters police dog puppies, contacted Sergeant Nick Prince, of Wellington Dog Section ¨C his training sergeant - and asked if he could help.
Nick sourced a surplus kennel from Police¡¯s Dog Training Centre (DTC) at Trentham and carried out the refurbishment.
Porirua¡¯s Mitre 10 Mega provided materials and tools, and the city¡¯s Animates store provided leads, bowls and other goodies. The DTC also donated dog food.
¡°Often what we see if a pet is left behind is that it becomes a point of leverage ¨C ¡®If you leave I won¡¯t feed the dog¡¯ and the like,¡± says Rob.
¡°It¡¯s about removing barriers ¨C one barrier is the idea that ¡®We¡¯ve got a dog so we can¡¯t leave¡¯. Now they can continue to look after their dog.¡±
Nick says the project took about a month from Rob¡¯s approach to the hand-over at Porirua Police Station last week. He thanked Mitre 10, Animates and the DTC for their help.
¡°Their support meant we weren¡¯t just handing over a dog kennel ¨C it was the whole package,¡± says Nick.
¡°I saw this as a very worthwhile cause as it assists in getting some families out of destructive environments and prevents potential cruelty, mistreatment or neglect of dogs that may otherwise be left behind.¡±
Caroline says the refuge is extremely grateful for the support. ¡°The response was so immediate ¨C it¡¯s absolutely fantastic.¡±
She says the Porirua refuge is the only one in New Zealand which includes an animal shelter. The refuge already has one kennel ¨C bought on Trade Me, says Caroline, and not in the best of repair.
¡°This gives us the capacity to reach out to more families,¡± she says. ¡°Some families are hesitant to leave home because their pets are still there ¨C it becomes a matter of power and control over women and their children.
¡°Now we can bring them in, they can be safe and have peace of mind.¡±
Animates Porirua store manager Charlotte McGrath says the company was pleased to be asked.
¡°Being involved in the community is something Animates feels really strongly about,¡± she says. ¡°For me personally, having seen friends¡¯ experiences and knowing how devastating it can be to leave pets behind, this is a really important cause.¡±
It is hoped the relationship will be a lasting one, with further support ¨C such as Dog Section providing care and training tips to families, repairs to the other kennel and donation of surplus food by Animates and the DTC - under consideration.