TE TOHU MAIMOA WINNERS for 2020

jack penniket

Jack Penniket is the Director of The Barkery Christchurch, and an innovator in the animal welfare space. With his vision to bridge the gap between forever homes and rescue dogs, The Barkery, NZ’s first adoptable dog cafe, was born.

With the pressures of COVID-19, 2020 has not been an easy year for The Barkery, but this hasn’t stopped Jack. Channeling his creative talents into connecting the dog loving community with rescue dogs in local shelters through events like dog friendly dining Pup-Ups, Jack manages to capture the love Kiwis have for dogs and redirected it to the dogs who need help the most.

Showing the importance of collaboration in working together with Dogwatch Sanctuary and Christchurch Bull Breed Rescues, The Barkery looks to be a powerful vehicle for Christchurch dog rescues, and for this we have Jack to thank.

summer johnson

As the Founder of Bay of Islands Animal Rescue, Summer is a local legend with a huge impact on the community.

Every year, Summer runs Bark in the Park, a festival of all things doggie, to encourage responsible dog ownership. This may be the only festival in NZ which has doggie ice blocks and a poo fairy!

Last year, Summer started a programme at a local correction institute where dogs from the pound are trained by inmates prior to being rehomed, enriching the lives of the dogs, the prisoners, and the community.

More recently in the Northland floods, Summer worked tirelessly to rescue dogs, cats and farm animals alike. Not only did she help many animals, including chained dogs who were drowning in the conditions but she made ongoing connections with animal guardians so that these animals could be desexed, wormed and registered in the future.

ALEXIA BOWERS

Alexia is the 15-year-old founder of The Little Animal Rescue, a non-profit organisation in Nelson. Despite her young age she is a seasoned animal rescuer, including the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of 632 hens from the egg industry. She ensures all animals have a chance at a good life, including a deaf pig and a half-blind sheep and horse.

On top of her work with The Little Animal Rescue, she has also volunteered with the SPCA, Riding for the Disabled, and at a veterinary clinic.

Alexia has studied ahead of her years, and has obtained her Level 3 Certificate in Animal Care (Companion Animals) and is currently studying towards her Certificate in Animal Management (Captive Wild Animals) through Unitec. Her ultimate goal is to become a veterinarian.

KATE BAOUMGREN

In her role as Animal Liaison Officer for Wellington City Council, Kate has pioneered many initiatives to improve animal welfare. This includes the development of a comprehensive inspection reporting system for kennels, catteries and doggy day cares. Her meticulous work in this area ensures consistency of care and that safety needs such as isolation areas, fire extinguishers and emergency plans are in place.

Kate also runs another initiative ensuring that in the event of an emergency, there are evacuation centres people can use that accept animals as well as humans. One location has already been secured, and others are under investigation.

Whether running a mammoth project as above, or finding and rehoming turtles, Kate takes on each task gladly while showing great respect and compassion for all animals.