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The tiny lives being saved around Franklin 🐾
Published 23 days ago • 10 min read
Hello, my dear Frankies!
I’ll be the first to admit, I can walk around with my rose-tinted glasses on sometimes. Not in a bad way, I hope! But I think it’s easy to miss just how much hard work is happening quietly around us, every single day, by people who are trying to make things better.
And that’s one of the reasons I love getting to know more of our local legends and community groups. Like Waiuku Colony CATS Rescue.
These amazing volunteers do so much for abandoned, injured, stray and unwanted cats and kittens around Franklin. A lot of it happens behind the scenes, and a lot of it happens before most of us have even dragged ourselves out of bed!
One of the gorgeous things I discovered while learning more about the rescue is how many locals already help keep it going. From businesses like Create Happy Facepainting and Barfoot & Thompson, to people donating their time, money, food, supplies and services — it really is such a beautiful reminder of what a caring little community we live in.
I loved catching up with Ally and hearing more about the incredible work she and the other volunteers do for Waiuku Colony CATS Rescue. So please read all about it, follow them, and support them however you can.
And I'll see you all out there!
R. and the Frankie Team xx
P.S. A newsletter full of cat photos has always secretly been my dream 🤭
The big-hearted locals behind Waiuku Colony Cat Rescue
Because every cat deserves someone in their corner
By the time most of us have had our first coffee, the volunteers at Waiuku Colony Cat Rescue may already have fed a litter of hungry kittens, cleaned up after a sick cat, answered urgent messages and organised another trip to the vet.
There is no rescue centre, no government funding and no paid staff. Just a small group of locals opening their homes, giving their time and doing whatever they can for cats that have been abandoned, injured, neglected or left to fend for themselves.
“Rescue fits around our lives because the cats don’t stop needing help.” Says Ally, one of the busy volunteers.
It is messy, exhausting and often heartbreaking work. But for hundreds of cats each year, it is also the difference between being forgotten and finding a safe place to belong.
This week, Ally gave us a look behind the scenes, and into the everyday reality of keeping a small local rescue going.
Rescue Manager Ally
What they actually do
Waiuku Colony Cat Rescue rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes cats where possible. They also help manage colony cats through desexing, offer advice to the public, and work alongside local vets and other rescues to improve cat welfare.
The cats they help come from all kinds of situations: orphaned kittens, abandoned pets, injured or sick cats, unwanted litters, colony cats and animals that have simply fallen through the cracks.
A cat colony is a group of cats living in one location where food or shelter is available. Some are friendly. Others have had little or no human contact. Without intervention, one undesexed female can quickly lead to dozens more cats, which is why feeding, monitoring, trapping, desexing and vet care are such a huge part of the work.
And it is a lot of work.
Before most people have started their day, volunteers are already feeding cats, answering messages and organising care. During the day, they juggle paid jobs while coordinating rescues, foster homes, transport and paperwork. Evenings are spent cleaning, medicating cats, bottle-feeding kittens, processing adoption enquiries and preparing for the next day.
Three hundred and fifty cats a year
Waiuku Colony Cat Rescue helps around 350 cats each year. But for Ally and the other volunteers, that number is much more than a statistic:
“Three hundred and fifty cats isn’t just a number. It’s hundreds of vet appointments, hundreds of health checks, desexing surgeries, vaccinations, foster placements and adoption meetings. It’s thousands of bowls of food, countless hours of cleaning and thousands of volunteer hours given freely by people who simply care.”
When someone contacts the rescue about a cat or kitten, the team first gathers as much information as possible. Where is the cat? Is it friendly? Injured? Sick? Trapped? Still roaming?
From there, they make a plan. If they can help, the cat is trapped or collected, assessed, scanned for a microchip and given veterinary care. Friendly cats and kittens go into foster care, where they are desexed, vaccinated, microchipped, flea and worm treated before being advertised for adoption.
Every adoption is carefully matched to give that cat the best possible future.
These three gorgeous kittens were sadly abandoned. Thankfully, an incredible and kind foster carer stepped up to take on the exhausting task of round-the-clock bottle feeding, sacrificing her sleep (and sanity!) to give these babies the best possible chance at a good life - Facebook
The hard part, and the beautiful part
At the moment, the rescue is seeing huge numbers of unwanted kittens, undesexed cats continuing to breed, and abandoned pets.
And because they are limited by foster homes, volunteers and finances, they simply cannot help every cat that needs them.
“The hardest part is knowing we can’t save them all.” Says Ally.
Financially, every rescue comes with a cost. But emotionally, it's exhausting to constantly see animals in need. Especially becasue the team is always short on time, foster homes and money.
One of the biggest misunderstandings is that rescues receive government funding or free vet care. They don’t. Every desexing surgery, vaccination, emergency operation and bag of food has to be paid for somehow.
But the good part is the transformation.
“Watching a frightened, sick or abandoned cat transform into a happy, loved family pet makes every hard day worthwhile.” Ally reflects.
And on the really hard days, Ally says it is the cats themselves that keep them going.
“They don’t get to choose the situations they’re born into, and they rely on people to step up for them.”
How we can help
Waiuku Colony Cat Rescue is already supported by amazing foster carers, volunteers, veterinary clinics and local people who care enough to give what they can.
But they need more.
Right now, the rescue needs foster homes, volunteers, transport, cat food, kitten supplies and financial donations to help cover vet costs.
Not everyone can adopt, but almost everyone can do something: foster for a few weeks, donate food or litter, sponsor a desexing, share adoption posts, transport cats to appointments, or simply encourage people to desex their own cats.
And if you find a stray cat, kittens, or a group of cats living nearby, don’t rush in without a plan. Take photos, note the location and contact a rescue for advice. If kittens are not in immediate danger, don’t immediately pick them up — their mum may simply be out finding food.
A community that chooses to care
For the future, Ally would love to see fewer kittens needing rescue because more cats are desexed. She would love more foster homes, more volunteers and enough financial support that the rescue does not have to make decisions based on money.
But her biggest message is simple:
“Please don’t underestimate the difference one person can make. Whether it’s desexing your own cat, fostering for a few weeks, donating a bag of food or simply sharing an adoption post, every single act of kindness helps save lives. Rescue isn’t something a handful of volunteers can do alone. It only works because a community chooses to care.”
And maybe that is the whole heart of it.
Waiuku Colony Cat Rescue may be run by volunteers, but the work belongs to all of us.
Because when a community chooses to care, even the smallest, sickest, most forgotten little life gets a chance to be safe, warm, fed and loved.
🍰 Cake & Cocktails Workshop Fire Station Eatery & Bar | 7:00–9:00pm Decorate your own two-layer cake while enjoying a cocktail, with all tools and step-by-step guidance provided. No experience needed. Book here
🕯️ Candles & Cocktails Blue Ox Babe | Time not provided Join Little Batch Wax Co for a cosy candle-making night including a cocktail on arrival, all materials, fragrance selection and your own handcrafted soy candle to take home. Tickets $75. Book on 09 238 1079 or moo@blueoxbabe.co.nz.
☕ Home & Office Barista Workshop Your Local Coffee School | 5:00–7:00pm A fun, hands-on workshop teaching you how to make better coffee at home or impress the office crew with your latte art. More info
🎯 Housie 78 Nelson Street | 11:00am–1:00pm Come along for a social game of Housie. More info
🧠 Thursday Quiz Night Pukekohe Golf Club | 6:30–8:30pm Get a team together and test your knowledge at Thursday night quiz. More info
Friday
🎲 Board Game Drop-in 10 King Street | 3:30pm Drop in for an afternoon of board games and good company. More info
🎨 WaiArt Art Show Waiuku | 10:00am–3:30pm Browse and buy work from multiple artists, see artists at work, vote in the People’s Choice Award and enjoy spot prizes, kids’ activities and food and drinks for sale. Entry by koha.
🎄 Mid-Winter Christmas at Botanica Botanica on Bowen | 5:00–8:00pm Enjoy 10% off storewide, plus the option to book a festive craft session making a fragranced beeswax candle, vintage teaspoon angel and beeswax wardrobe sachet. Craft ticket $75 and includes a complimentary glass of bubbles. Book here
🏺 Sip & Shape Mug-Making Pottery Workshop The Daily Goods, Pukekohe | 6:30–9:30pm Spend a relaxed Friday night creating your own mug using slab-building pottery techniques, with a drink on arrival and delicious snacks included. Book here
💃 Annual Dance Showcase Pukekohe High School | Time not provided Watch senior assessment pieces, student choreography and competition team K9 in an evening celebrating the students’ hard work. Free entry and everyone is welcome.
🎸 Friday Night Bands featuring LOOP The Longkeeper | From 9:00pm Head along for Friday night live music featuring LOOP. More info
Saturday
🎨 WaiArt Art Show Waiuku | 10:00am–3:30pm Browse and buy work from multiple artists, see artists at work, vote in the People’s Choice Award and enjoy spot prizes, kids’ activities and food and drinks for sale. Entry by koha.
🛠️ Waiuku Repair Cafe 5 Hosking Place | 10:00am–1:00pm Bring along broken household items and see if the Repair Cafe team can help give them a new life. More info
🍰 The Cheesecake Shop Pukekohe Celebration The Cheesecake Shop Pukekohe, Unit D, 132/136 Manukau Road | From 10:00am Celebrate the store’s new look by spinning the wheel for a chance to win one of 100 cakes and other prizes. There’ll also be free cake pops for the kids. Get in early while prizes last. More info
🛍️ Tuakau Community Market Central Park, corner of George Street & Jellicoe Avenue, Tuakau | 9:00am–1:00pm Browse local stalls and spend your Saturday morning at the Tuakau Community Market.
⚡ Pokémon Open Play & Trading 7 Hall Street | 1:00–3:00pm Bring your cards along for an afternoon of Pokémon open play and trading. More info
🔫 Airsoft: Counter-Strike – Road End 58 Bird Road | 3:30–10:00pm Join War Rangers for an afternoon and evening of Counter-Strike-style airsoft action. More info
Sunday
🔫 Airsoft: Counter-Strike – Let It Blow 58 Bird Road | 8:30am–3:00pm Join War Rangers for a Sunday airsoft game day. More info
🧘 Sunday Stretch Sessions RX Fitness 235, 42 Belgium Street, Waiuku | 9:00am A 45-minute guided stretch session with The Stretch Collective. Book here
🛍️ Franklin Country Market Pukekohe Park Raceway | From 8:00am Browse homegrown produce, handmade crafts, antiques, collectables and NZ products, with food trucks, live music, general market stalls and car boot bargains. More info
🎁 Paerata Rise Father’s Day Market Paerata School Hall & outside carpark | 9:00am–1:00pm Celebrate Father’s Day with a browse around the Paerata Rise Markets, with stalls both inside the school hall and outdoors. More info
🎨 WaiArt Art Show Waiuku | 10:00am–3:30pm Browse and buy work from multiple artists, see artists at work, vote in the People’s Choice Award and enjoy spot prizes, kids’ activities and food and drinks for sale. Entry by koha.
🚗 Chicken Run 2 – Tailgates & Mates 1799A Great South Road, Bombay | Time not provided Head along for Chicken Run 2: Tailgates & Mates in Bombay. More info
monday
🥣 Good Food, Bright Minds Cafe Queen, Waiuku | 7:00–9:00am Cafe Queen and Sanctuary Retreat are teaming up every Monday during school term to help Waiuku school kids start the day with a nourishing breakfast.
🧠 Monday Quiz Night The Good Home Pukekohe, 65 Edinburgh Street | 7:00pm Round up a team for Monday night quiz. Booking recommended.
🏃 The Wellness Run Club Your Local Coffee, West Street | 5:45am Start the week with a friendly 5km loop. All levels welcome.
Tuesday
🎨 Painting Club Franklin Arts Centre | 6:00–8:00pm Bring whatever you’re working on and enjoy two hours of dedicated painting time while connecting with other local artists. Term time only.
🧙 Magic: The Gathering Commander – Ages 9–14 12 Massey Avenue | 3:30–5:30pm Young players can get together for an afternoon of Magic: The Gathering Commander. More info
Wednesday
🎮 Anti-Social Social Club for Teens Pukekohe Library, 12 Massey Avenue | 3:30pm A safe and inclusive after-school club where teens can meet others, join different activities or simply hang out at their own pace.
🏃 Fire Station Run Club Fire Station Eatery, Pukekohe | 5:30pm Choose from 2.5km or 5km options, with spot prizes and bar menu discounts afterwards.
🧠 Malt N Steel Quiz Night Malt N Steel, Waiuku | 7:00pm Get a team of 2–8 together for quiz night, with prizes up for grabs. More info
💜 Relaxation Hour with The Pause Society Waiuku Yacht Club | 7:00–8:00pm, arrive from 6:45pm Take an hour for yourself with a relaxing evening session. Bring a mat, two pillows and a cosy blanket and come as you are. Book here
Word Scramble answer: Kitty Cats
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"Think Waiuku, Pukekohe + surrounds are boring? You haven't signed up for Dear Frankie yet!"
*NEW FREE LOCAL NEWSLETTER!* Covering Franklin's community gatherings, gigs and events, job postings, digital farmers market, weekend getaways, local stories and more...all delivered straight to your inbox for free! New editions every Thursday at 9:16 am. Subscribe free! 👇
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