Are you 15 years old or less? Do you love animals? Do you want to learn more about animals, and maybe get the chance to meet lots of them? If so, you need to join the Otago SPCA - as a junior member.

Being a Junior Member is a great way to show you care for animals, and Junior Members also have the important job of supporting the SPCA and helping it promote the good treatment of animals.

It is really important for you to learn to respect animals and to treat them properly. You are the animal owners of the future, and your early experiences with animals will affect your attitude to them for the rest of your life. In fact, you probably know someone who is afraid of animals because a dog or some other family pet once gave them a fright! We want you to have good experiences with animals, because a bad experience can make you anxious about them for a long time.

There are several experienced animal handlers at the Haven, among them Stephanie Saunders, our senior Inspector, Maartje & Lisa. We help teach junior members how to treat animals properly and with respect. We'll also make a point of teaching you how to be safe around animals. For example you need to know what to do if a dog you don't know comes up to you. (Don't put your hand out until you are told by the owner it's safe to do so.) And you need to know how to pick up a cat without being bitten or scratched. (Even little kittens can give nasty bites if they are treated roughly.)

Even if you don't have a family pet at home, you are welcome to become a Junior Member. In fact you are especially welcome, because the SPCA would like to encourage everyone to know the pleasure animals can bring.

How To Join

To become a Junior Member, send your name, address, phone number & $10 to:

Two or three times a year, you'll receive a members newsletter and activity pack. And you will be invited out to our regular animal days out where you get hands on experience with animals of all shapes and sizes.