Take A Step Today For World Refugee Day ππ
Around the world, communities, schools, businesses, groups and people from all walks of life are taking big and small steps in solidarity with refugees. This World Refugee Day, we challenge everyone in New Zealand to join together and take a step to make a difference.
You can take part in the #StepWithRefugees campaign, where participants will collectively walk, run and cycle 1 billion miles - the distance refugees cover each year to reach safety, by adding your steps here: stepwithrefugees.org...
Another option is to volunteer with the New Zealand Red Cross as a Refugee Support Volunteer. Volunteers help families start again, while teaching them about New Zealand culture and connecting them with people from the community.
For anyone based in the Wairarapa, Masterton Neighbourhood Support has a programme called 'WeConnect' that matches new residents from diverse backgrounds including refugees to a local buddy. If you're interested in volunteering or supporting the programme in other ways you can email Masterton Neighbourhood Support Area Coordinator, Cathy Cameron, at: cathy@connectingcommunities.org.nz
β οΈ DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS. If you love them, don't leave them. β οΈ
It's a message we share time and time again, and this year, we're calling on you to help us spread that message further.
Did you know that calls to SPCA about dogs left inside hot cars made up a whopping 11% of all welfare calls last summer? This is a completely preventable issue, and one which is causing hundreds of dogs (often loved pets) to suffer.
Here are some quick facts to share with the dog owners in your life:
π The temperature inside a car can heat to over 50Β°C in less than 15 minutes.
π Parking in the shade and cracking windows does little to help on a warm day. Dogs rely on panting to keep cool, which they can't do in a hot car.
π This puts dogs at a high risk of heatstroke - a serious condition for dogs, with a mortality rate between 39%-50%.
π It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act to leave a dog in a hot vehicle if they are showing signs of heat stress. You can be fined, and prosecuted.
SPCA has created downloadable resources to help you spread the message even further. Posters, a flyer, and a social media tile can be downloaded from our website here: www.spca.nz...
We encourage you to use these - and ask your local businesses to display the posters if they can. Flyers can be kept in your car and handed out as needed.
This is a community problem, and one we cannot solve alone. Help us to prevent more tragedies this summer by sharing this post.
On behalf of the animals - thank you β€οΈ
Worst Xmas ever?
There's a a lot of planning that goes into Christmas day and sometimes things just don't go to plan. But it can be a good thing - a family mishap or hilarious memory that you can laugh about in Christmases to come.
Whether you burnt the dinner or were stranded at an airport...
Share your Christmas mishaps below!