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Proud pooch mum Kate Cornkill has just one piece of advice for Kiwis looking to adopt a pet: “do it”.
Up until almost a year ago, Cornkill, 24, had been in and out hospital due to her mental health, which had been steadily declining over a number of years.
“I wasn’t doing well, and my parents were really worried,” the west Aucklander said.
Her life turned around after she adopted 3-year-old Arthur through Greyhound Racing NZ’s Great Mates Rehoming Programme in May 2022, and it was love at first sight.
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Kate Cornkill says her life turned around after she adopted Arthur, a 3-year-old greyhound.
“He’s my world, I don’t know where I would be without him,” Cornkill said.
After almost a year of her little shadow, Cornkill’s mental health has drastically improved, and she hasn’t been to hospital since becoming Arthur’s mum.
Now, she’s sharing her story ahead of National Pet Adoption Month – which runs throughout March – to help raise awareness about the benefits of adopting a pet.
Cornkill is joined in speaking out by fellow greyhound owner Craig Richmond, a photographer from Hamilton who is infatuated with his “princess”, Adobe Flame.
The unique name is thanks to Adobe Flame’s former life as a racing greyhound.
Richmond had never seen a greyhound until five years ago, when he met one at the Hamilton Home Show.
”I had been going through a really hard time, and this beautiful thing just gave me so much love,” he said.
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Craig Richmond says his greyhound Adobe Flame is his “princess”.
Adobe Flame retired from racing when she was 3 and was subsequently adopted by Richmond, and often accompanies him on photography shoots across Aotearoa.
“We have young and old people terrified of dogs meet her, and leave beaming because like all greyhounds Adobe Flame has a relaxed, friendly nature.”
Richmond described his dog’s constant companionship as a “support blanket”.
”She’s not a rescue, but she sure as hell rescued me,” he said.
“Once they choose their human, it’s amazing, they really are loyal.”
During National Pet Adoption Month, Kiwis will be able to learn about bringing home their own furry friend thanks to pet shop operator PETstock, which is encouraging people to “adopt different”.
“It’s not just about the little fuzzies,” said PETstock Charity and Events Lead Sherralea Cassidy.
“This year we are encouraging potential adopters to adopt cats, larger dogs and bonded pairs. Small dogs are snapped up quickly, but not larger dogs.”
Cassidy said it was important to move past the typical rescue stereotypes, and not all animals were in the system because of a bad temperament or problematic background.
“They enter homelessness at no fault of their own.”
As part of its drive, PETstock will be educating future pet parents on the benefits of adoption, how to look after an animal, and how a furry best mate can be life-changing.
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PETstock is hoping Kiwis and Aussies will adopt cats, large dogs and bonded pairs.
“You’re saving a life, sometimes more than one,” Cassidy said.
“Every time an animal goes to their forever home, that rescue group can now take on another animal.”
PETstock is partnering with rescue groups such as Lonely Miaow, which will work to help Kiwis find their perfect pet match – including for those who work a lot, or families with young kids.
Adoption fees are usually around $200, which includes vaccinations, de-sexing your new pet, and microchipping.
PETstock’s major event as part of National Pet Adoption Month will be an adoption drive held on the weekend of March 18-19.
“You can go into your local pet stock store, meet rescue groups and some of the animals looking for their forever home,” Cassidy said.
However, Cassidy warned that before adopting, future pet-owners needed to make sure they could take on the long-term cost of a pet.
“The last thing we want is the owner ending up in a financial predicament again and the animal having to be re-adopted, repeating the cycle,” she said.
“Have an open heart and open mind. Sometimes the animal finds you, and sometimes you find them.”
Cassidy said there were a multitude of reasons for adopting a furry best mate.
“They reduce anxiety and stress, alleviate loneliness and help with fitness, if you’re walking your dog,” she said.
“Pets are amazing, and sometimes we underestimate the power of a pet-human bond.”
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