People going away on holiday and not telling their neighbours they had made arrangements to have their pets looked after has been an issue for the SPCA in Central Otago over the holiday period.
Such misunderstandings had resulted in several calls to the SPCA from neighbours worrying pets were fending for themselves when in fact they were being looked after, inspector Helen Saunders said yesterday.
Finding homes for animals - especially cats and kittens - had also been an issue over the past three weeks.
Yesterday, SPCA Otago had 14 cats and kittens needing homes in the Central Otago area and more were expected in the coming weeks.
Mrs Saunders praised the organisers of the Wanaka, Millers Flat and Te Anau rodeos.
"We're very encouraged by the proactive approach rodeo organisers have taken to animal welfare."
Abuse and neglect of pets was not a major issue for the SPCA in Central Otago over Christmas-New Year, Mrs Saunders said.
