Lambs on loan give kids lesson in animal care
A unique ‘loan-a-lamb’ scheme at Matapu School is giving every child a chance to take part in pet day.
The school bought 40 four-day-old orphan lambs which have been raised by pupils and children from the nearby Okaiawa Preschool, organiser and Board of Trustees (BOT) member Brent Espin said. ‘‘We wanted to give kids that haven’t had an opportunity to have a lamb at pet day the chance – then we can sell the lambs once they’re weaned as a fundraiser.’’
The lambs will come to school with their young caregivers on Saturday for the school’s annual pet day and gala.
They’ll be competing for prizes including the best-cared-for lamb and the best at leading round the show ring.
‘‘The three fattest lambs will be auctioned off as part of the fun on Saturday, but they’re not going to take them off the kids straight away,’’ Espin said.
Each lamb was delivered to its new caregivers with a supply of milk powder, a leash, a sheet of instructions and some advice from BOT chairman and farmer Kurt Parry.
About half the children at the school lived in town, while the others were from farms, Parry said.
‘‘We’re trying to keep that unique rural school atmosphere, and giving kids who haven’t had that opportunity a chance to have a lamb at pet day.’’
Some of the families that have raised the lambs planned to buy them off the school and keep them.
‘‘They make the best pets, I don’t want to sell mine,’’ parent Rebecca Van Den Brand said.
The pet day will include a range of gala day activities, games and stalls. Along with the fattest lambs, the monster auction would see items ranging from an All Blacks rugby jersey signed by all three Barrett brothers to holiday accommodation. The gala pet day starts at 10am.