In Safe Hands
When you visit the team at CARE, it’s evident why neglected animals find refuge with them. You can feel the safe, happy environment these animals need to thrive.
CARE is normally the last resort for animals, and takes in animals from dog pounds, those who have been turned away by other rescues or are faced with euthanasia. The team at CARE is passionate and positive, and always looks outside the box for solutions for each animal, many of whom have been let down by humans. They will step in before it suffers abuse or neglect to the point where it reaches the police or SPCA.
A registered NZ charity and the only no-kill animal rescue in the region, CARE provides foster carers for each animal in their care, where they are looked after temporarily until they are healthy again to go to a loving home. Over the last 18 months, CARE has rescued over 400 animals and have only had to euthanise four, 99% of their rescued animals are re-homed.
“It’s a nurturing, normalising environment which facilitates healing of body, mind and spirit.” Helen Rabinska, Operations Manager
CARE also works closely with NZ Dog Pounds, where so many dogs and puppies are being abandoned and surrendered, and they focus on those that have not been adopted or are welfare cases. CARE regularly take in animals that are emaciated and have suffered neglect and abuse, as well as cases of mange and deaf puppies.
Rescue is only one part of the work, CARE works to foster compassion and respect for all living beings and the environment through their Humane Education and Animal Rescue work. Well known for working proactively in our community, CARE regularly receives calls of concern about pets in our community, some who have suffered for a while. CARE also helps educate owners in caring for their pet appropriately, and other times the solution is re-homing animals to a more appropriate environment.
Meet some of our CARE friends
Barney
A stray dog, with a body score of 2 and in a poor condition. Barney came to CARE as a reserved, hurt and injured dog. He did not like being touched and would not acknowledge or respond to humans. The team at CARE spent many hours just giving him company, tenderly stroking him and encouraging his confidence humanity. He soon began to enjoy his new human friends, new-found freedom and good food. Three months later, he was healthy again and ready to be adopted. Now living in a million-dollar property on the Rotorua Lakefront, this is truly a rags-to-riches story.
Tin Tin
Rescued from a North Island Pound, no one wanted Tin Tin because he was deaf. Communicating with Tin Tin was initially a challenge for CARE, but training him was found possible using a vibrating collar and sign language. He eventually joined a compassionate family with big hearts who embraced Tin Tin and are continuing his training.
What is a body score?
It’s an indication of the health of an animal, here’s a guide below:
Help save a life
CARE is completely reliant on volunteers and donations. If you want to help them save lives, here’s how:
Become a foster carer.
The more they have, the more lives they can save.
All the animals are de-sexed, vaccinated, micro-chipped, wormed and given basic training. CARE provides foster carers with everything they need – food, bedding, kennels, paying bills, etc. You just need to give them a home and some much-needed TLC.
Volunteer.
There’s always a need of Op Shop volunteers and other helpers, come in and visit the Op Shop if you’re interested. Extra help is always appreciated.
Keen?
If you’re keen to help out or just want to find out more about what CARE does, visit the CARE Op Shop at 19 Totara Street, Taupo, or get in touch with Helen, Operations Manager, on 027 222 5 776, careopsmanager@gmail.com or via Facebook: @CareCommunityNZ.