Inspector Andre out visiting Nixon on the farm

When he first came in we were not sure that Nixon would make it

Nixon is now loving life on the farm

As an Inspector at SPCA Auckland, I frequently see the nastier side of human nature. We often share with you horror stories that shock and sadden us all. So I wanted to share with you a different side of our work here at SPCA Auckland, and tell you some of the good news that your financial support helps us to achieve.

Nixon was found cold and alone on a walking track near Bethells Beach. Only a few weeks old, he was tiny and so weak that he was unable to stand. He still needed his mother’s milk to survive and clearly had not eaten in days. It was extremely lucky that someone found him when they did.

I first met Nixon when SPCA Auckland received a call from a vet clinic about a baby goat in a terrible state. When I got there Nixon was a tiny little thing, severely malnourished and covered in ticks. I took him straight to the SPCA animal hospital in Mangere to be checked by our vets. Because of his young age and poor condition, we really didn’t think he was strong enough to survive.

During the first few days Nixon needed constant monitoring as he could not even sit up on his own. We set up a special bed in our Education office where he immediately captured the hearts of the office staff. Several volunteered to take him home for sleep overs, keeping an eye on him and feeding him throughout the night. In the first few days Nixon was very quiet and hardly moved. His poor condition meant he was prone to cold, so the team helped to keep him warm using heating pads (and I am sure more than a few cuddles).

Over the coming days we saw gradual improvements in Nixon. As he gained strength he slowly became more and more vocal around feeding time. He was eventually strong enough to stand and started walking around the office noisily demanding food! That’s when we finally knew he was getting better.

He moved out to the barn with the other farm animals and promptly adopted Fiona, our Rural Animal Technician as “Mum”. Over the next few weeks, when he was allowed, he would follow Fiona everywhere. Never more than 2 steps behind, he would help her check on the other animals during her rounds.

Nixon stayed with us on the farm for a couple of months until he was healthy and strong enough to find his new forever home. Angie and Geoff adopted him just before Christmas, and he now lives on their farm near Pukekawa with his new friends Teddy the Deerhound and Harry the Whippet.

Your donations have helped to keep inspectors like me out on the road helping animals like Nixon. Your support ensured our hospital and vet team could give Nixon the medical treatment he needed, and provided the funds for our farm staff to give him the time and care he needed to get better. Thanks to supporters like you, Nixon got a second chance at life.

Nixon has settled in very well on the farm – although Angie tells me that he has had a few hiccups along the way, and is still learning about life. She shared a few of his adventures with me.

It seems that Nixon has really bonded with his new dog companions Teddy and Harry and loves to spend time with them. One day early on, whilst out exploring on the farm he found himself in a spot of trouble when he lost his footing , fell over and couldn’t get back up. Not wanting to leave their friend, Teddy and Harry stayed with Nixon, barking, to alert the family to his distress. Only a few weeks later he was in trouble yet again, and found himself caught in the fence. Once again Teddy and Harry came to the rescue, staying by his side until the family came to save him. Angie said the dogs see him as one of their own – as part of the pack. It’s great to know they are looking out for him.

It’s hard to believe that just a few months ago we didn’t know if the little guy would make it, and now he is running round in the sunshine, and loving life.

Thanks to our supporters, Nixon is just one of the thousands of animals who spent their first Christmas in their new forever home. Your support will help us to continue to rescue, care for, and rehome Auckland’s animals in need. Your donation will ensure that the stories of many more animals have a happy ending.

Please donate today. Because together we can make a difference.

Kind regards
Andre Williams
SPCA Auckland Inspector