People peer through the cordon fence outside Ballantynes. The photographer comments, "Whilst on the CERA red zone coach tour we passed Ballantynes and felt like caged animals. There was crowds watching us and we were caged inside the CERA coach with our keepers to make sure we were not allowed to escape our confines".
A photograph of the Animal Rescue Unit preparing to drop off food at welfare centres and other sites in earthquake affected areas after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. In the background, a member of SPCA Canterbury is being interviewed by TVNZ.
At 4.35am on Saturday 4 September 2010, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck near the township of Darfield in Canterbury leading to widespread damage in Christchurch and the wider central Canterbury region. Though it was reported no lives were lost, that was not entirely correct. Over 3,000 animals perished as a result of the earthquake and 99% of these deaths would have been avoidable if appropriate mitigation measures had been in place. Deaths were predominantly due to zoological vulnerability of birds in captive production farms. Other problems included lack of provision of animal welfare at evacuation centres, issues associated with multiple lost and found pet services, evacuation failure due to pet separation and stress impact on dairy herds and associated milk production. The Canterbury Earthquake has highlighted concerns over a lack of animal emergency welfare planning and capacity in New Zealand, an issue that is being progressed by the National Animal Welfare Emergency Management Group. As animal emergency management becomes better understood by emergency management and veterinary professionals, it is more likely that both sectors will have greater demands placed upon them by national guidelines and community expectations to ensure provisions are made to afford protection of animals in times of disaster. A subsequent and more devastating earthquake struck the region on Monday 22 February 2011; this article however is primarily focused on the events pertaining to the September 4 event.
A photograph of a member of the SPCA returning an animal to its owner in the Countdown car park on Moorhouse Avenue.
A photograph of a member of SPCA helping a member of Massy University's Veterinary Emergency Response Team (VERT) to load medical supplies into their vehicles. VERT travelled to Christchurch after the 22 February 2011 earthquake in order to assist with caring for animals.
An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 26 August 2011 entitled, "Follow that cat!".
A photograph of members of Massey University's Veterinary Emergency Response Team (VERT) working in the central city red zone after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. VERT travelled to Christchurch after the 22 February 2011 earthquake in order to assist with caring for animals. Each member is wearing a hard hat, face masks, and a head lamp.
An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 28 July 2011 entitled, "Water Warning".
An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 15 June 2011 entitled, "Fortunate Felines".
A photograph of a staff briefing at SPCA Canterbury after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 17 April 2011 entitled, "Shakes and Showers".
An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 10 March 2011 entitled, "Day 17, 9am - inside the earthquake red zone".
An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 4 June 2011 entitled, "Lack of Lake".
An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 2 July 2011 entitled, "Saturday Scenes".
An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 13 June 2011 entitled, "Awesome Aftershocks".
An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 28 October 2011 entitled, "Preserved Puss".
An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 19 March 2011 entitled, "Day 26 - Rascally Refugee".
A photograph of an SPCA Field Officer carrying a dog to safety after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
A photograph of SPCA Inspector Christoff Heyns checking in a rabbit which was displaced by the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
A photograph of a veterinarian determining whether a rabbit brought in after the 22 February 2011 earthquake is a male or a female.
A photograph of members of SPCA Canterbury conducting a meeting in the Rescue Coordination Centre after the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 27 February 2011 entitled, "Avon Adaptation".
An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 23 December 2011 entitled, "Afternoon Aftershocks".
An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 17 March 2011 entitled, "Day 24 - still inside the red zone".
A document produced by SPCA Canterbury outlining a plan for pet owners to follow in order to prepare for a disaster.
An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 26 February 2011 entitled, "Day 5, 3am - inside the Christchurch cordon".
An entry from Ruth Gardner's blog for 25 March 2011 entitled, "Day 32, 6am - Blues in the red zone".
A photograph of staff members from SPCA Canterbury gathering outside the building on 1 March 2011 for the two minutes of silence in respect for those who lost their lives in the 22 February 2011 earthquake.
A photograph of SPCA Wellington vehicles parked on the intersection of Lichfield and Manchester Streets after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. In the background, the earthquake damage to the Tower Chambers building can be seen.
A photograph of a veterinarian holding a pigeon at SPCA Canterbury. The pigeon was named Barney Rubble due to the fact that it was found amongst the rubble and debris of the ChristChurch Cathedral.