Central residents who want to help animals impacted by cyclone Gabrielle have until 11am today to drop donations to Saddle Boutique (February 21). 

Owner Kristy said she had been accepting donations of items such as cat and dog food, stock food, bedding, towels, first aid items, blankets and pet supplies since Thursday (February 16).

“I saw some horror stories on Facebook of people looking for their horses and pets and I wanted to do something to help.

“It’s completely taken over my shop.

Donations are blanketing the floor of the shop

“We’ve had 30 bales of hay donated… a horse float full of goods came from Dunedin, and another from Queenstown.

“Nicholls Pet shop has also donated pet food and dog leads and beds.”

She said huge numbers of community-minded locals have been coming through the doors of her store at 635 Springvale Rd and dropping off whatever they can.

After seeing another Facebook post from New Zealand Farming calling for places to act as collection points Kristy decided to put her hand up.

Donations need to be labelled and packaged in a bag or box that can be securely closed.