Over 200 businesses, schools, teams and individuals registered to become Cupcake Cooks for Wellington SPCA – and we know that there were also heaps of people who supported us by running their own cupcake event.

We won’t get to hear what the total amount raised is for another month or so, but early indications suggest that this year’s event was definitely bigger and better than 2009, with staff from our Newtown animal centre raising an amazing $5,000 from their stall alone!

We would like to say a very special thanks to everyone who baked, bought or sold a cupcake to raise money for us – your support is hugely appreciated.

An extra special thanks goes to the following  for helping the day go so brilliantly:

Ana Cuisine; Tempt; Soi Cafe and Bar; Bags of Difference; More FM; Moore Wilson; The Costume Company; Nescafe; Windmill Quality Cake Shop (Kapiti) and Meow Cafe.

Here’s some photos taken at Simpson Grierson who held a cupcake competition which was judged by Wellington SPCA Inspecor Ben and vet nurse Sarah.

We are going to be holding our first-ever school holiday programme and places are available to book now!

The holiday programme will be held at our Newtown animal centre, so there’ll be heaps of activities and games as well as plenty of chance to meet some of the animals we are caring for.

You can get all the information and booking form by clicking here [PDF 146KB].

Places are limited so get in there quick!!

This will be a very special event as we will be joined by members and dogs from the Guide Dogs team and the Police Dog Squad, who’ll be talking about their work training dogs and will undoubtedly show us some cool techniques!

You’ll also get the chance to have a go training some specially selected SPCA puppies.

If you fancy coming along to this cool event, take a look at the flyer and print off the application form here [PDF 400KB] and send it to Jennifer Rizzi, Wellington SPCA, PO Box 7069, Newtown, Wellington 6242.

Spaces are limited so bookings are essential.

When: Saturday 11 September from 4.30pm to 6.30pm

Where: Newtown Hall, cnr of Daniell and Constable Streets, Newtown

Cost: $15 per child

If you’d like more information about our Kid’s Club you can email Jen at JenniferR@wellingtonspca.org.nz or call her on 04 389 8044 ext 827.

Brett had been invited to go along to the show to talk about an issue that the SPCA has to deal with at this time of year, every year.

Spring sees the Society being inundated with calls from concerned members of the public about baby birds they have discovered out of the nest. Inspector Lahman explains the best course of action to take and how, in most instances, human intervention can be detrimental to the bird’s welfare.

You can listen to the full interview here (fast forward to 20’30″ to the start of the interview).

To get more information about what you should do if you discover a baby bird, you can go to our website.

Wellington SPCA animal welfare inspector Ben Lakomy had a natter with Hadyn about budgies and cupcakes!

Our slot today was mainly to promote Cupcake Day which is just around the corner – on Monday in fact!

We also took along a couple of budgies that are currently in our care and as a result of the show, we have received dozens of calls and emails from people interested in offering them a new home!

We’ll keep you posted on the budgies’ progress and remember to support Wellington SPCA on Monday and buy a cupcake!!

Wellington SPCA is now hosting children’s birthday parties!

Parties are heaps of fun and are packed with activities including loads of time to meet some of our adorable animals.

Birthday activities can include bunny massage, pom pom making, kitty cuddles, clicker training with puppies, dog biscuit baking, creating chocolate animals, a shelter tour and heaps more!!

We have a room all set up with everything you need for a party – you just need to bring the food and drink (there is a kitchen for any preparation needed).

Every child at the party takes home their very own Wellington SPCA party bag and the birthday child also receives an extra special gift.

So, why not give your animal-loving child the party that everyone at school will be talking about for weeks to come?!

Email Jennifer or Angela today or call them on 04 389 8044 for more information and to chat through your requirements.

Parties cost $125 per hour for a minimum of two hours and we can accommodate a maximum of 15 children per party.

Spring is almost here and Wellington SPCA is calling on the public to get Bird Smart!

At this time of year we receive hundreds of calls from the public who are concerned about a baby bird they have found out of its nest. In most cases these birds are not injured and are not in need of any extra care.

In fact they often have a much better chance of surviving to adulthood if they are left in their own habitat.

Wellington SPCA has put together some key points about baby and young birds to help you decide what to do if you find a bird out of the nest.

Is the baby bird bleeding or injured?

Yes – the bird needs to be taken to the nearest vet clinic or SPCA as soon as possible where it will be given veterinary care. Any vet clinic or SPCA will take the bird free of charge.

If possible, call ahead to let them know you are on your way and explain the condition of the bird.

No – if there are no signs that the bird is injured or bleeding, you need to identify if it’s a nestling or fledgling and then follow the advice below:

Is it a nestling?

A nestling is a very young baby bird which will have very few feathers, pinky-blue skin and will not be able to walk.

Nestlings out of the nest are the most vulnerable, so try and locate its nest and place the bird back in it as soon as possible. Take extra care not to disturb the nest or any other nestlings or unhatched eggs that may be in it. If you cannot find the nest, place the bird in a small container (eg. an ice cream container) lined with tissue and secure it to a nearby tree. Leave the area and monitor the fledgling from a distance. The parents will return to care for the bird once they feel it is safe to do so and should continue to care for it.

Is it a fledgling?

A fledgling is a baby bird which is fully-feathered and can walk.

After hatching, baby birds leave the nest and can spend up to two weeks on the ground before they are able to fly. During this time, the parents continue to care for them by bringing them food and scaring off predators. Human intervention is likely to lessen the fledgling’s chance of survival so if in doubt, leave the bird alone. The only time you should move a fledgling is if you find it in a potentially hazardous situation like a busy footpath or car park. In this case, you should carefully relocate the baby bird to an area with plenty of vegetation cover.

If you need more advice or information read our Be bird smart information sheet [PDF 113KB] and if you’re still unsure of what to do, please call us anytime on 04 389 8044.

Here’s your chance to show your support for Wellington SPCA  – and it’s so easy to get involved!

Just bake and sell a batch or two of yummy cupcakes and donate the proceeds to us.

Official registrations to become a cupcake cook have now closed but you can still go to the website for all the information about how to get involved.

Please remember to use free-range eggs in your cupcakes!!

So why not get your friends round for a baking party, make some cakes to sell to your schoolmates or treat your colleagues to a coffee time treat?!

Thanks for your support and happy baking!!

Part of animal welfare inspector’s role is to ensure that animals get appropriate care from their owners. Part of a responsible pet owner’s role is to provide an animal with adequate shelter. 

Occasionally our inspectors will help an owner out by providing more appropriate shelter  – especially for those who cannot afford to make the required improvements.

However, for our inspectors to be able to do this, they rely on the generosity of the public to donate their unwanted or used kennels.

So, if you want to help us to help the community, get in touch. We’d love to hear from you if you have a plastic or wood kennel that’s still in good condition – ones with minor repairs aren’t a problem.

And we’re happy to come and collect them  from you if you can’t drop them into our Newtown animal centre.

If you can help, give our inspectors a call today on 04 389 8044 ext. 812.

Thanks!