Youth at Risk

Wellington SPCA regularly visits troubled young people at serious risk of becoming regular offenders. Programmes can be arranged by request or set up to occur regularly.

Visits normally last about an hour and consist of a 30-minute presentation and talk followed by 30 minutes of time with specially selected shelter animals. Each presentation focuses on further developing empathy and teaching young people how to treat animals and people. Talks have included discussions about animal and people needs, responsible pet ownership, building trust and understanding body language and more.

We have been running a programme at Epuni Care and Protection Residence successfully since February 2007. According to Ross Barber, residence manager, since visits began the residence has seen a 30% reduction in violence, a 30% reduction in secure unit admissions and a 40% reduction in physical restraints on the young people.

For more information or if you have a group that could benefit from humane education and animal therapy, please contact our Education and Research Officer via our contact form or call 04 389 8044 ext 827.