Shirlene Steel rescues, cares for, re-trains and rehomes animals.

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Shirlene Steel is the person behind a Central Otago charity; she has pulled together a group of people who rescue, return to health, care for, re-train and re-home animals that are abandoned, unwanted or surrendered into their care. 

Shirlene initially worked for the SPCA. When the SPCA shut their Central Otago operation Shirlene pulled together a team of local people, they took over the building and launched the charity now known as the Animal Rehab Centre.

“I still cover all of Central Otago – the problems didn’t go away when the SPCA pulled out.”

“I’m not what you’d call the ‘fluffy bunny’ type, but it sort of gets into your blood a little bit.

“Most rescued animals need expert care and rehabilitation before they can be adopted into a caring home – it’s just something that needs to be done.”

“I know the community, I live here, we’ve all got really good networks, so it’s easier having a local focus.

Shirlene said she ran a café in Alexandra for five years, then took a much needed break. During that break, Shirleen helped out at a friend’s cattery.

“She was a qualified inspector for SPCA, and I just sort of fell into it - for me, it all started from there.

“Eventually I took over the cattery as my own business, and worked onsite for SPCA.”

When the SPCA closed their local operations, Shirlene took over the lease of the building, raised funds, made improvements and got the Rehab Centre going.

“When animals come in to you, they may look healthy but you don’t know what they’re carrying.

“We created a special quarantine area for them to stay until they have been treated and vaccinated.”

“We don’t uplift animals – SPCA is the only organisation that has an inspectorate.

“There’s moves underway to change that, but it’s how it is for now.”

Splat can now see, and is off to a new home.

Shirlene says people know they are there and animals come to them.

“There are a lot of different reasons animals come to us – it’s not all bad.

“People may be moving, not allowed to have pets in a house.

“However, most of the animals we get are strays. The majority of our dogs are ones that have not been claimed from the pound.”

Shirlene says she has put strict protocols in place for re-homing as well as support for the new owners. This way they ensure both animals and new owners are happy, and they don’t see the animals back in the rehab centre again.

The not for profit Animal Rehab Centre is kept going through goodwill, fundraising efforts and donations. Some costs are recovered with the adoption fee new owners pay when they take a pet into their homes.

“All our animals are cared for, returned to health, trained, de-sexed, microchipped and fully vaccinated.

“Vet bills, other treatments such as physio, special diets, training, vaccinations, it all adds up. So we charge an adoption fee to cover at least part of that.”

“We also offer additional support after you’ve taken your new pet.”

Splat the little kitten came to them unable to walk and blind. She is now active, cheeky and can see out of one eye - and along with her sister Skittles, is off to a new home.

Lyric the escape artist is a dog who is learning that people will come back - you don’t have to escape your home to find the person who loves you. Lyric is very intelligent, fun and loving, and is now looking for someone that will set him boundaries. 

BeBe, a beautiful German Shorthaired Pointer is getting lots of love and care. She had a tough life, but in only two weeks with good food, good care and kind handling, she is a new dog.

“It’s like she’s completely changed her whole life.

“She just knows she’s in a better place; she’s well-behaved and happy.”

Shirlene says they are currently working with a black and white huntaway collie cross pup that was given to them at 8 weeks old – unable to walk.

“Kevin is in a foster home and a team of people are working with him.

“He’s a work in progress.”

Kevin can now play with his friends, thanks to the work of caring professionals and his wheelchair.

 When Kevin arrived, Shirlene says they gave him until 12 weeks old to show massive amounts of progress, or he would be euthanised.

As time went by, more and more people got involved with his rehabilitation. 

“He’s just such an interesting little character – and we’ve all got to the point that there’s no going back now, we’re in it for the long haul.

“We thought initially it was brain damage, but that’s been ruled out – he’s actually the brightest wee dog you’ve ever seen.

“We are now investigating a toxoplasma kind of thing, something he may have caught as a tiny puppy that went on to affect his spinal cord.

“And since he’s been on antibiotics, he’s a different dog altogether, but we still can’t get him up on his pins.”

“We’ve just got such an amazing team working on him, including Maria at VetEnt who is wonderful, trying all sorts of treatments; Bobbi Kerr, an animal physio working with him every second day.

“And we’ve got a wheelchair for him.

“From the moment we got him onto that, it was funny - we couldn’t stop him, he was up and racing.”

“He’s got every care, he’s the most loved dog you’ve ever come across.

“He’s just got to get up and do it now.”

Shirlene describes dogs as her Achilles.

“I love them. I love getting them, I love seeing the change in them, I love seeing them come out the other side happy, and I love seeing them go to new homes.”

“People usually stay in contact with me, so I get to see them a lot. Even those that go up north and out of the community.”

“There’s always the ones that touch your heart, and I want them to come home with me.”

“The hardest thing is money and cat food. We need people to donate so we can keep on top of everything financially.”

“We sell the good quality dog food we use here, and all the profits from that go straight to the Rehab Centre.”

“We’ve also got some fundraising initiatives starting this year, so watch this space.”

For information on animals for rehoming and to find out more about the Animal Rehab Centre click the links below.