Letter from the Editor
Since the launch of Pet Life magazine in December , which was delayed by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake knocking about Kaikoura , there has been another Civil Defence emergency situation in New Zealand .
In February , two fires broke out in the Port Hills of Christchurch – 450 properties were evacuated and 11 homes destroyed . When natural disasters strike , domestic animals and pets are also made homeless and need caring for . And having two natural disasters in five months really reinforces the message that we need to be prepared – not just for yourself and your family but for every animal in your care . If your home needs to be evacuated – and no one ever knows how long for – who is going to look after your pets or animals if you can ’ t take them with you where you go ? Some animals are easier to leave a property with – for example the “ pocket pets ” that feature in this issue – but what will you do if you own horses , or even some chooks ? It ’ s important to have a plan so that you can evacuate your animals if need be , no matter their size , and have somewhere that they can stay ( a paddock , kennels , with family ) should disaster strike and you ’ re made homeless . While no human lives were lost in the Port Hills fire , tragically the same cannot be said for some of the animals that were left behind . By having a plan you can get out early and be prepared for dealing with your animals . In this Autumn issue we talk to SPCA Canterbury chief inspector Monique Hagedoorn about animal welfare in emergency situations , and include a Pet Emergency Plan and a guide of what should be in your Pet Disaster Survival Kit . It ’ s certainly given me a lot to think about : All that food ! All those cages ! We ’ d possibly need a trailer on standby to remove our pack ! And where could we stay with our two young ( naughty ) ridgebacks , an elderly dependable labrador , three rowdy cockatiels and three snappy rescue turtles ?
On another note – and speaking of rescue animals – there ’ s a lovely interview in these pages with the owner-operator of Little Chintas Rescue Ranch , New Zealand ’ s only chinchilla rescue . Who knows anything about chinchillas ? I certainly didn ’ t , but Rebekah ’ s descriptions of their antics – they ’ re escape artists , love to fling poo and chew on everything – certainly made me laugh even though they are the main reasons why pet owners give up on their chins . I can totally relate because a lot of the time I wander around with poo on my shoulder and chewed-up shoes on my feet , yet I would never consider getting rid of my cockatiels or dogs because of that ! Again , the message here is that we need to be prepared – know what you are in for before you get that new horse , kitten , puppy , cockatiel , turtle or chinchilla . Pets are for life , in good times and in bad , and their welfare is in your hands – even if you end up homeless !
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THE TEAM
MANAGING DIRECTOR & ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Amy Scott-Thomas 020 4088 3559 info @ petlife . co . nz
EDITOR Inger Vos editor @ petlife . co . nz
CREATIVE Designer : Paula Scott design @ pscott . co Print & Distribution : PWA Griffin
CONTRIBUTORS Morgan Healey daisypets @ hotmail . com Pet Doctors Jo Clough jo @ petfat . co . nz
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DISCLAIMER Pet Life magazine is subject to copyright in its whole entirety . No part of the contents within are to be reproduced in any form , either whole or in part , without prior consent from Pet Life Ltd . Pet Life Ltd reserves the right to accept , reject or modify editorial and advertising material . All rights reserved . Opinions expressed within this publication are not necessarily those of Pet Life Ltd , their contributors , associated businesses or any related entities . Pet Life Ltd makes every effort to ensure that all information is true and correct from experts within their field . However , Pet Life Ltd or any persons involved with this publication does not accept any liability for the magazine ’ s content . The inclusion of any product , service or business within this publication should not be interpreted as ratification by Pet Life Ltd . Copyright © 2016 . ISSN 2537-7140 ( Print ) ISSN 2537-7183 ( Online )
Photo credit : SULLY ' S PICS Facebook Page https :// www . facebook . com / photographybyDonnaSullivan / Instagram instagram . com / photographybydonnasullivan / Horse : Cotton Eye Joe " Joey " Owned by : Linda Wheeler
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