The SPCA in Gisborne has issued a "desperate plea" after seven roosters were dumped at their door – a week after three of the birds were left at the centre.
"Please, please stop dumping roosters at our door," the SPCA Gisborne Centre said in a post on social media this morning.
"For the past few years, we have repeatedly had roosters left at our gates and around our property. This morning alone, seven roosters have been dumped at our door, following another three last week."
The animal shelter said they did "not have the facilities to safely house large numbers of roosters".
"When they are dumped loose around the property, it creates a number of serious problems."
Running loose around the centre
Some of the animals were found wandering on the road and had been hit by cars, as well as getting into the nursery next door and damaging seedlings.
The SPCA added that staff were arriving at work to find roosters running loose around the centre.
"We then have the difficult task of trying to safely catch them, which can be extremely challenging when they are frightened and running loose."
There was also a "serious biosecurity concern" after three cases of H5 Avian Flu were confirmed in New Zealand as of last month.
"With New Zealand currently operating under Stage 2 of the avian influenza response, bringing unknown poultry onto our property creates an additional risk to the animals already in our care.
"Our centre houses vulnerable animals who rely on us to maintain a safe and controlled environment. Dumping poultry at our gates puts not only the roosters at risk, but potentially the animals we are already caring for."
The SPCA said it was not about judgement, adding that there were occasions where people "may find themselves with roosters they don’t know what to do with".
"If you have roosters you can no longer keep, please contact us BEFORE dumping them. Give us a call on 06 867 9463 and we can talk through your situation and see how we can support you or help you find a more appropriate solution.
"There are options. Dumping them at the SPCA is not the answer.
"We are genuinely begging our community — please don’t leave roosters at our gates, on our property or loose around the centre."
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