Invaluable work of volunteers recognised during SPCA Purina National Volunteer Awards

Annette is an extraordinary foster parent whose impact during the past 14 years has been nothing short of incredible - having cared for nearly 200 canines in that time. She provides a safe, nurturing and enriching home for dogs at every stage, whether they are in quarantine, recovering, or simply needing a break from the Centre.

Annette goes above and beyond to ensure her foster dogs are well socialised and prepared for their next chapter, even introducing young puppies to the world in a buggy before they can walk. Her kindness, enthusiasm, and willingness to help wherever needed makes her truly special. She also actively participates in community dog walks, further supporting canine development and exposure. Annette provides essential foster capacity, supporting multiple teams and ensuring puppies and dogs receive exceptional care and socialisation.

With a dedicated team of 46 volunteers, the Kaiapoi Op Shop has become one of the top-performing stores in the country. Each volunteer contributes in their own unique way. Some of the ladies sew, clean and press clothing, and ensure items are beautifully prepared for sale. Others repurpose old blankets into cushions and handbags, giving new life to donated materials.

One volunteer faithfully cleans the toilet and floors, while others repair, fix, and knit clothing. The team is also fortunate to have a talented gentleman who builds, restores, and upgrades joinery pieces so they can be resold in the shop.

Every one of these remarkable volunteers brings care, pride, and heart to their work, all to help raise vital funds for SPCA. Without these dedicated individuals who generously give their time and energy, the shop simply would not be the success it is today.

Sandra has volunteered with SPCA for many years and is a weekly walker with our canine companions. Sandra initially helped in the canine area with the daily cleaning and feeding of animals. Years later, she is still here and is now our number one dog trainer and behavioral requirement leader. Her dedication, compassion, and expertise are top notch - and the dogs absolutely love her.

The training and behavioural work that Sandra has done over the years with the canines has had a hugely positive impact. The evidence is clear and shows in the progress that dogs make in terms of temperament, socialisation and command training. Sandra is always looking for new ways to enrich the lives of our canine companions and she is also great at sharing her wealth of knowledge and years of experience with all new volunteers. Sandra is a well-deserving, dedicated volunteer who is always willing to walk the extra mile.

Our fantastic three Morgans, Shannon, Kathy and Nadia, come in three mornings a week and basically do anything the Centre needs done.

This includes packing emergency animal food, general maintenance, fundraising, collecting food from supermarket bins, sorting incoming donations, tidying the garage and sorting food, weed eating, lawn mowing, washing vehicles, mopping floors, helping with litter trays and most of all, washing, drying and putting away all the animal bedding. Kathy often takes items home to dry, and does a lot of the food collections in her own time.

Their dedication with helping our Centre is outstanding and we really would struggle without them. When they were away before Christmas, at the Special Olympics, we missed their help so much. They go beyond and above every time. With a small Centre team, we appreciate and rely on them – they really are part of the family.

Alorah’s compassion, dedication, and versatility have made a remarkable impact at SPCA in a short period of time. Since beginning volunteering in late 2024, she has become a reliable and highly valued weekly volunteer, consistently approaching every task with enthusiasm and a strong work ethic.

Team members describe her as hardworking, thorough, and deeply caring toward the animals in her care, with many commenting that any task given to her is always completed to a high standard.

In addition to her on-site volunteering, Alorah is an exceptional foster parent. She has fostered more than twenty animals, including rabbits, kittens, and puppies, and is one of our trusted “bottle baby” fosterers. Caring for vulnerable neonate animals requires patience, resilience, and emotional strength- all qualities Alorah demonstrates with maturity and dedication. She has also volunteered at community events, including assisting at a dog vaccination drive earlier this year.

What makes her contribution even more impressive is that she has only recently turned 19. Her maturity, commitment, and positive impact far exceed her years, making her incredibly deserving of recognition.

Alorah’s support has a significant positive impact across multiple areas of the Centre. Her reliability and willingness to help wherever needed, provide valuable support to staff, volunteers, and foster teams alike. Through both hands-on animal care and fostering vulnerable animals, she directly improves animal wellbeing and helps create positive outcomes for animals in SPCA care.

Victoria has been an essential part of the Palmerston North team for several years, consistently demonstrating dedication, kindness, and reliability. She volunteers three days each week, transporting animals to Massey Vets for desexing and surgical procedures. This is a one hour round trip. Her commitment to these trips allows our staff to remain on-site, ensuring the animals at the Centre continue to receive the care and attention they need.

Victoria also gives her time to support fundraising efforts, including volunteering at local sausage sizzles, and she fully immerses herself in our team culture. She is known for her positivity and encouragement, always offering kind words to staff, especially during challenging times. Her uplifting attitude has a meaningful impact on team morale.

In addition to her on-site support, Victoria generously opens her home and heart as a foster volunteer, providing animals with the love, safety, and care they need while awaiting their forever homes. Victoria’s compassion, reliability, and positive spirit make her an invaluable member of our community and a truly deserving candidate for this award.