Helping with the animals

At the Volunteering Otago School Holiday Programme at Otago SPCA in Dunedin yesterday are Bayfield High School pupils (from left) Kara Hill (15), holding Border collie cross Basil, and JJ Thompson (15), holding Staffordshire bull terrier cross Willow.

Youth volunteering co-ordinator Heather Moore said five young people, aged 11-17, attended the first day of the programme in Opoho yesterday.

After getting acquainted, the volunteers were given a presentation about helping at the SPCA and then handled puppies and kittens.

The programme had room for 23 volunteers, so more young people could register.

''We are welcoming more participants.''

The volunteers would help at different community organisations until the end of January.

Activities include building kites for Dunedin Collaboration Against Family Violence, painting a mural for Plunket, making apple crumble for a food bank, gardening at Queen's High School and hosting a radio show at Otago Access Radio.