SPCA looking to train 15 new inspectors to help combat increasing animal cruelty

Sunday, 20 May 2018

In what's being touted as a 'groundbreaking' internship programme, the SPCA is recruiting more than a dozen new welfare inspectors to help in the fight against animal cruelty.

It's a significant undertaking for the charitable organisation, which primarily relies on donations to stay afloat, but one that CEO Andrea Midgen said was essential.

The SPCA's annual list of the worst animal cruelty cases its inspectors came across in 2017.

'Our statistics show we are receiving more animal welfare complaints than ever and we need SPCA inspectors to be able to investigate and follow up, as well as do more proactive work in the community.'

In 2017, there were 1033 cases of animal cruelty recorded by New Zealand Police, up from the 934 recorded incidents nationwide in the previous year.

**READ MORE:

Inspectors play a vital role in the work of the SPCA. They are at the front line of the organisation's mission to prevent cruelty to animals.

* SPCA lists shocking cases of neglect and cruelty

* SPCA inspectors to start using body cameras

* Research beckons Wellington SPCA chief as new structure rolled out

* Animal welfare activist leaves millions to SPCA**

Evidence of the worst cases is released annually through the SPCA's list of shame. The most recent list, released in March, included a five-year-old labrador starved to death, a duck with its beak blown up by a firecracker and a neglected horse, Frosty, left in pain with a deformed eye and engorged head injury.

The SPCA is the only charity with the legal powers, under the Animal Welfare Act 1999, to help animals in need, and bring animal offenders to justice.

The most common complaints investigated were typically in relation to the failure to provide adequate food, water, veterinary treatment or shelter.

In 2017, animal welfare inspector Gina Kemp was tasked with rescuing a distressed and injured dog from a ravine in Porirua.

Midgen said while being an inspector could be tough, it was a job that had 'a real impact' on animals and their welfare.

'[Inspectors] are passionate about animal welfare, resilient, enthusiastic, have a great work ethic and have self-confidence. We're hoping to attract anyone up for this challenge.'

The SPCA is the only charity with the legal powers to help animals in need, and bring animal offenders to justice.

A Wellington SPCA animal welfare inspector holds a recently rescued hawk.

The training, offered in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland, will see 15 participants spend three months getting hands-on experience in the role while being taught by the best in the industry.

It's the first time the organisation has been able to hire such a significant amount of people since it voted to form one national organisation from its 45 independent centres in June last year.

Midgen hoped the interns would get jobs at the end of their three-month paid training but that decision would ultimately come down to money.

'The reality of being a charity is that all hiring decisions are dependant on the donations we receive and the money we can raise. We are hopeful there will be roles available for all successful interns, but this does depend on our funding.'

* For more information about the internship programme, see: qjumpers.co.nz.