Children fund pond in mum’s memory
Doggy paddle has a different meaning at a Christchurch rescue centre for abandoned pooches.
A newly-opened swimming pond at Dogwatch Sanctuary Trust is a hit with the pups, offering welcome relief from the soaring temperatures baking the region.
When animal-lover Joanne Smart died in 2017, her children Kirsten, Nigel and Hannah wanted to fund something to remember her by. Smart was ‘‘always taking in strays’’ so giving back to Dogwatch, a charity that rescued and rehomed abandoned dogs from the Christchurch City, Ashburton, Selwyn and Waimakariri pounds, ‘‘just seemed right’’.
Dogwatch is contacted if no-one claims pound dogs within seven days. Once at the Bromley property, they are vaccinated, microchipped, wormed, desexed and socialised.
The family got in touch with Dogwatch and talked through some ideas but when the suggestion of the pond came up, ‘‘we knew it was perfect,’’ Kirsten said.
Pam Howard, Dogwatch’s manager at the time, had long wanted a swimming pond for the dogs, but funds were always too tight.
The pond was completed just before Howard retired after 12 years as manager. She said the pond was a great spot for the dogs to cool off – ‘‘a godsend on these really hot days we’ve been having’’.
Swimming is thought to help dogs with recovery from illness or surgery, help exercise hip, leg, muscle and joint problems and serve as gentle exercise for older dogs.
Dogwatch manager Kelly Burt said yesterday all 14 kennels were at capacity with another four dogs being looked after in foster care. Bull breeds took up the majority of the beds but ‘‘no breed was exempt’’. Two labradors, a collie and a pure breed vizsla were also in her care.
‘‘It’s sad because in an ideal world, there wouldn’t be any place for us, it’s hard to fathom that though.’’
She said Christchurch City Council pound had one of the lowest rates of euthanasia nationwide, in part thanks to Dogwatch for working with them to find new owners for abandoned dogs. There were no other dogs in CCC care in need of ‘‘imminent help’’, she said.
Construction of the pond was a community effort, with the Smart donation helped by landscaping and garden supply companies lending the use of their machinery and building a shed to store toys, training gear and cleaning equipment in.
Thanks to an artesian well on the property, the pond’s water could be replenished at no cost. Dogwatch has been operating for 36 years. The adoption centre opened in 2001 and has 80 volunteers helping to care for, play with and find new homes for the dogs.
‘‘The pond will help dogs for a long time to come and mum’s memory will live on,’’ Kirsten said.
‘‘I think she’d be really proud.’’