The Whakatāne District Council and Whakatāne SPCA are joining forces on a ‘kennel drive’ to provide unused shelters for animals that are being kept in poor conditions or inadequate housing. Graeme Lewer of Whakatāne District Council says his Animal Control staff frequently encounter dogs in less than ideal conditions, and the two groups are appealing to anyone who has a kennel they no longer need to get in touch so that it can be put to good use.

“There is a legal requirement under the Dog Control Act and the Animal Welfare Act that an owner has to supply proper and sufficient food, water and shelter for their animals,” Mr Lewer says. “There are quite heavy penalties for failing to ensure those basic needs are met. We know that some owners do find it difficult to provide adequate shelter for their animals, so we are teaming up with the SPCA to see what we can do to help. We have had great support in the past from people who no longer have a dog, but still have a kennel that’s not being used. If you’re in that situation, or know someone who is, then get in touch.”

Inspector Liisa Jones of Whakatāne SPCA says she also comes across situations where dog owners haven’t provided adequate shelters for their dogs, particularly kennels that are old and no longer adequate. Minimum standards in the Dogs Codes of welfare state:

• A dog must be provided with sheltered and dry sleeping quarters
• Measures must be put in place to enable a dog to keep warm in cold weather
• Sleeping quarters must be large enough to allow the dog to stand up, turn around and lay comfortably for its size
• Dogs must be able to toilet away from their beds
• Ventilation and shade must be provided in situations where dogs are likely to experience heat stress

“The code of welfare applies to everyone responsible for the welfare of a dog,” she says, “including breeders, owners of pets, hunting dogs, sporting dogs, working dogs, or people looking after your dog for any reason. Failure to meet a minimum standard in the code may result in a prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act.”