BNZ staff 'chip in' for the pets of Christchurch

SPCA Canterbury has just kicked off the SPCA ‘Chip your Pet for Free’ campaign, to help maximise pet owners’ chances of being reunited with their pets during or after a disaster or at any time.

“The SPCA Canterbury free microchipping campaign has been given an added boost by the generosity of quake donors,” says SPCA Canterbury chairperson Dr Ross Blanks, “with a particularly significant $98,000 contribution raised by BNZ and its staff from across the country”.

BNZ Director of People Louise Harvey-Wills says, “Christchurch has been in the hearts and minds of all our staff since the earthquake last month and BNZers have really dug deep to help out. With this donation, we are proud to be able to bolster the sterling work the SPCA is doing throughout this difficult time.”

Money from the BNZ donation will go towards the microchipping campaign, a joint venture between SPCA Canterbury, New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA), New Zealand Companion Animal Register (NZCAR), New Zealand Companion Animal Council (NZCAC) and local vets. The funding will enable pet owners to get their animals microchipped for free until 25 April or when stocks run out.

Dr Blanks says, “It has taken two earthquakes to really get any momentum in the microchipping of cats and there are still numbers of un-microchipped dogs out there. Here’s hoping that the publicity from this will also encourage and highlight the need for cat owners around the country to get their pets chipped.”

The benefits of having pets microchipped have been graphically illustrated during the recent earthquake. Owners of microchipped animals are much more likely to be successfully reunited with their pets if they get lost or separated and end up at vet clinics, animal welfare agencies or in the hands of Animal Control officers

The BNZ donation is welcomed as a valuable contribution not only for the welfare of the animals of Christchurch but also for the peace of mind it will ultimately bring pet owners, many of whom are still suffering from earthquake stress.

“The campaign is being greeted with enthusiasm by Christchurch pet owners, who have enough on their plates at the moment. Many have seen the value, have wanted to do it but simply have not had the funds. It is a great relief for some to be able to get it done and as a collective group, we are so grateful to have the funds to offer this service to our community.”