Half-price pets at SPCA

SPCA Otago animal manager Grace Hepburn holds one of the many unwanted animals dropped off at the SPCA's Opoho Haven recently. Photo by Jonathan Chilton-Towle.

The Dunedin SPCA Haven is packed to the rafters as mild weather has resulted in abnormally long animal breeding seasons.

The haven holds more than 200 cats and kittens, seven adult dogs, five puppies, seven rabbits, three roosters, one hedgehog, and a baby bird staff believe to be either a duckling or a gosling.

''We're absolutely chock-a-block,'' SPCA Otago executive officer Sophie McSkimming said.

''We need to find homes for 40 to 50 cats to get back on track.''

Veteran animal attendant Rachel van Grunsven did not think

the cat-breeding season would end this year because of the mild weather. She had received recent reports of cats mating in Caversham and South Dunedin despite the time of year.

To free up space for new arrivals the SPCA planned to give away all animals for half price between June 7 and June 16, Ms McSkimming said.

Puppies and dogs would cost $125, kittens $75, and cats $65.

All animals were micro-chipped and vaccinated and visitors could go in a draw to win either a cat or dog hamper packed full of pet food and toys, Ms McSkimming said.