Q&A with a compassionate SPCA Giving Hearts member

Meet a wonderful volunteer, supporter and Giving Hearts member (legacy donor), Peter Reimann. SPCA’s Nicola grabbed a few moments with Peter to have a chat about what animals and leaving a legacy gift to SPCA means to him.

I understand that you have had animals since childhood; guinea pigs, birds, dogs, cats and later you were a sheep farmer, with a house-cow. Have animals always been part of your family or is it something that you picked up later in life?

There was a 20-year gap without animals from the mid-1950s to mid-1970s, mainly due to travel or working elsewhere. Otherwise, animals are family members. On the farm we had house-cow Gertrude, her calf Henrietta, then from the dairy farm next door the delightful calves Fenella, Belinda, Horace, Aristotle, Ernest, Felicity, Edward and Harriet – who would've been destined otherwise for slaughter.

Gertrude used to try to pull out my hair with her long tongue when I greeted her!

We had pigs, Wilbur and Boadicea, and I enjoyed four years of sheep farming – a break from my career immersed mainly in coal-fired and geothermal power stations. I found it easier to move the sheep without dogs - Spec and Bas – because the mob knew that fresh pasture lay beyond the gate.

You volunteer in our Wellington Centre, and you have very kindly helped fund quarantine cages for cats – what is driving your love for cats, and what inspires you about them?

My cat life did not start well. Townsville in the 1960s was rife with feral cats. Raucous fights abounded. One came into the house and sprayed over my book of Shakespeare’s complete works on the low-slung bookcase. However, tabby cat Fred came with the farm when we moved there in the late-1970s. He would trot beside me on walks and had the sheep transfixed.

Black cat Yaga came into our lives after Fred. Our Auckland house was robbed and the police said, ‘Get a dog’. So, we got our German Shepherd Gaza who used to carry our Siamese kitten Tashi up and down stairs. They were great friends! Tashi would watch my wife at her weaving loom – good company during my long work absences. Then came gorgeous Abyssinians, Abeba and Shendi, followed by SPCA’s Cassie for her last year of palliative care. My most recent cat, Hettie (whose alias is ‘Her Majesty’) came from SPCA. I am her obedient servant. Our day is filled with rituals. What would I do without such company? What characters cats are! My admiration for such amazing animals knows no bounds.

You have been donating and supporting SPCA for an incredible 25 years this year. What has led to such wonderful dedication?

SPCA does incredible work for needy animals in the community, and support is essential.

You’ve been volunteering at our Wellington Centre for over 15 years, so what inspired you to take your dedication and love of animals to greater heights?

I have ministered to felines every Monday morning since starting. I also helped establish and nurture the native trees surrounding the Wellington Centre when SPCA moved to the old Hospital building about 10 years ago. My weekly highlights are the people and the animals.

You were an editor for a tramping magazine, and your hobbies included tramping, gardening and restoring native bush – very outdoor and animal-friendly activities. Do you still have time to do these activities?

Tramping now: if only! Involvement with native bush restoration in Trelissick Park (in the valley between Ngaio and Wadestown) has wound down. However, two editor jobs continue: Tararua Tramper and Gorge Gazette. It’s been rewarding encouraging bird life with bush restoration in the park, originating from Zealandia along the Kaiwharawhara catchment. Trelissick Park is also a haven for off-leash dogs, who love the streams.

As a Giving Hearts Member, you are very much part of a like-minded group of animal loving people. Could you share a few words about why you decided to leave a gift in your Will and what it means to you?

It’s comforting to know that the gift will help SPCA continue and enhance their work with needy animals in the community.

Is there anything you would like to share about how you feel about SPCA? What would you say to others considering leaving a gift in their Wills to SPCA?

Just do it! You will never regret it.

Thank you so much Peter, for all your years of dedication and kindness. It is only through gifts in Wills that SPCA can continue the work we do. We'd also like to say a big thank you to all our readers and supporters - you are priceless!