MEDIA RELEASE
14 December 2010

Safe’s ‘Biggest Ever’ Appeal for Animals

Over 1500 caring kiwis nationwide will transform into their favourite animal costumes of all colours, shapes and proportions and take to the streets this week in a bid to raise $350,000 for SAFE.

The charity, which has campaigned against animal cruelty since 1932, says this year’s street appeal (17-18 December) will be its biggest fundraising event to date.

“Every major town and city in the country is taking part. It’s great to see so many caring people within the community coming together to show their compassion towards animals,” says SAFE appeal coordinator Sacha Dowell.

As one of New Zealand’s leading animal charities, SAFE receives no government funding and is completely reliant on donations to continue its work. Money raised over the two-day street appeal will be used to fund campaigns and humane education projects in 2011.

“Our collectors go all out in their bid to collect public donations for animals. They often get up at the crack of dawn and eagerly don elaborate animal costumes in an effort to stand out. We’re hoping all their hard work will result in us raising a record amount for animals this year,” says Ms Dowell.

SAFE already has a lot to celebrate at the end of 2010, a year that has seen the government announcing a ban on sow stalls and a commitment to not resume live sheep exports. But as the charity’s campaign director Eliot Pryor explains, there is still a lot of work to be done in the future.

“This year has shown us that we can achieve victories for abused animals if we campaign hard and long enough,” says Mr Pryor. “But we’re still a long way from ending animal cruelty in New Zealand.”

SAFE’s LovePigs campaign is now focusing on a ban of farrowing crates and the charity will be stepping up its campaign to help free battery hens from living in tiny cages.

“We’re asking everyone who loves and respects animals to donate generously to our collectors so that SAFE can carry on speaking out against animal cruelty in the coming year,” says Mr Pryor.

ENDS

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