DOUG FIELD/Fairfax NZ
PURR-FECT: Katelyn McPherson, 1, left, and sister Madison, 4, get to know their new pet kitten, Otis, bought from the SPCA on Madison's birthday this week.
SPCA staff want Southlanders to ensure pets are safe before they go on holiday, as the city's animal services feel the strain of summer.
Radio Southland broadcaster Chris Diack said the station had been inundated with notices for its lost-pet section, fielding about 20 calls in the past two weeks.
The missing pets were mainly birds and rabbits, although others had also gone astray, as people headed away on summer holidays, he said.
He had even answered a call from one pet owner at 2.45am to report a missing animal.
SPCA Southland manager Mary Bradley said "far too many" lost pets ended up at the shelter as owners left town for holidays.
"We're not chocka yet but we wouldn't want to get many more.
"We were doing quite well before Christmas but now we're all full up again."
Those not taking their pets on holiday with them needed to leave someone reliable in charge, so animals did not run away or go hungry.
They also needed to warn their neighbours that someone would be hanging around the property, she said.
When holiday-makers were travelling with pets, they should make regular stops to refresh animals, and avoid leaving dogs in hot vehicles.
Adding to the lost pets at the shelter was an influx of kittens, as kitten season was under way, she said.
Anyone who wanted to drop kittens in at the SPCA should give a few weeks' warning, so staff had time to prepare and make space for the animals.
"People just ring up and expect them to be taken. We try to accommodate people the best we can [but] if people would just be considerate . . . you know, you can't get your kid into school camp without booking."
The city's boarding kennels and catteries were also busy, with some forced to turn people away as pet beds fill up during the summer holidays.
Panda Boarding Cattery owner Denise Poy said early January was the cattery's busiest time, and she had refused a lot of late bookings because there were no space.
She recommended people book for December and January by the middle of the year to ensure there would be space for their cat.
Kennington Park Boarding Kennels owner Jim Lyons said business was "flat tacker", and he had said no to a lot of last-minute bookings.
He believed most of those who missed out on kennel space found friends or neighbours to look after their pets, but the lack of pet accommodation meant some had cancelled their holidays.
"I've heard of one of two people staying at home."
- ? Fairfax NZ News
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Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/8156054/Cater-for-pet-so-holiday-doesn-t-go-to-dogs
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