A new home for the fuzzy, furry, and fluffy is now open in Huntly.
The Waikato Pet Community House shifted from its previous location in Hamilton a few weeks ago. The staff are already getting to know the Huntly community, and its love of dogs.
“I can’t remember how many dog adoptions we’ve done since we moved here. We came with about eight puppies and one went almost immediately,” said manager Brooke Ings.
They spent three weeks setting up their new home, creating appropriate spaces for their animals, and politely turning away some keen locals who were enchanted by puppies and guinea pigs playing out the front of the business.
Eventually they couldn’t hold off anymore–Huntly wanted to see those cuties. In mid-July, they opened their doors and the love flooded in.
“I really like the neighbourhood here,” Ings said.
“We’ve got the river view out the back, which is just the best view, it’s wicked. [The neighbouring businesses] also have dogs, so at 7am each day we all open up our back doors and the dogs sort of run out to say good morning to each other.”
Ings, her co-manager Summa Broadmore, and their teenage volunteer Ben Wright-Taplin (who travels all the way from Hamilton) have been enjoying meeting new friends and neighbours in Huntly. However, it’s been a slow process of trust-building, as the team are still shaken from events at their last location in Nawton, Hamilton.
“We were attacked by the neighbours at our location on Grandview Road. We had six guinea pigs killed and two dogs injured,” Ings explained.
“Our windows were attacked, our barbecue was attacked, someone’s car was damaged–hence why we did the big shift and added more security-wise as well.”
They’ve been meeting Huntly “through the gates” of their business, cautious and curious. They’ve grown fond of the town in just a few weeks.
“We used to have people sit on our couch and make coffee with us. It used to be, our house was everyone’s home.
“We were open from 7am to 7pm at one point. And that was exhausting, but we wanted to share it with the community, and it worked really well.
They hope to get to that point with the Huntly community. Already they’re forming camaraderie with their neighbours and landlords.
“Our landlady is really cool. She even sings for us at the end of the day sometimes.”
Among those calling the Pet Community House home at the moment are about a dozen cats and kittens, some guinea pigs, a litter of puppies, and surprisingly, a possum called Dobby.
“We have an exemption for Dobby, and he’s microchipped. He is our only one, and he’s a permanent resident,” Ings said.
Ings herself calls the place home, too–she basically eats, sleeps, and lives amongst the animals, especially the indoor cats who enjoy her company.
As well as animals, the centre also has a stall outside their space on the footpath–items free to a good home. Ings said it’s about giving back to the community, as well as welcoming people in.
by Sarah Morcom
