Students Craft Wooden Kennels for SPCA to Help Dogs in Need

A group of Year 11 and 12 students from the Ara Institute of Canterbury has made a significant contribution to the Christchurch SPCA by crafting and donating nine wooden kennels. This initiative was part of Ara’s dual enrolment carpentry programme, which emphasizes vocational learning alongside academic studies and concluded in December 2023.

Mandy Gould, the portfolio manager for construction trades at Ara, expressed her joy at the culmination of this project. “We were delighted to deliver these finished projects to the SPCA as we rounded off classes for the year,” she stated. Gould emphasized the mutual benefits of the project, noting that it was “a win for everyone.”

The idea for the kennel project originated from an Ara staff member who wanted to ensure the handcrafted items found good homes. The kennels were constructed from plywood, featuring treated timber footings and treated fence palings for roofing. Students worked collaboratively in small teams, dedicating several weeks to measure, cut, and assemble the kennels.

According to Tim Melker, the carpentry tutor, the project provided students with valuable insights into basic construction principles. “It’s actually a great project to learn the elements of building a house. With rafters, bargeboards, and footings, they get an understanding of the terminology and use power tools and hand tools along the way,” he explained.

The kennels are set to be utilized at the Christchurch SPCA, where they will serve various purposes in the shelter. Natasha Sutton, the centre manager, indicated that the kennels would be beneficial in play spaces during “run around time” for the dogs. “They’re great for our dogs to chill out in or have a nap out of the sun. But they’ll be handy for those who might not have a kennel lined up,” Sutton noted.

Sutton further highlighted the importance of community support for the SPCA, especially during busy periods when animals are awaiting adoption. “We rely so heavily on our community for lots of things, and donations like this are just fantastic. We can’t thank Ara enough,” she said.

As the kitten season is currently underway, Sutton encouraged community members with time to spare during the holidays to consider fostering animals. “If people are off work and having a nice break, we’d love them to consider fostering for us because we have lots of animals in the shelter who would rather be out in a home for this period,” she urged.

“Fostering is a fantastic way to give some love to an animal in need, especially those who need to learn what a loving home feels like,” Sutton added, reinforcing the importance of community involvement in the welfare of animals.

This collaborative effort between the Ara Institute and the SPCA not only showcases the skill development of students but also highlights the impact that community initiatives can have on animal welfare.