Stitch in time saves SPCA pups

Chilly southerlies have sparked a knitting frenzy to protect homeless puppies and cats.

The outbreak of knit one purl one in the Kapiti-Horowhenua district which has New Zealand's highest ratio of over-60s has been a boon to SPCA staff.

The society's Kapiti manager Lloyd Warren said about 100 knitted puppy coats had been delivered. "They have turned up in the post, been left on the doorstep and dropped in. We've had a large number of puppies this year."

There was rare snow on the Kapiti Coast this month as temperatures fell to -4 degrees celsius in Paraparaumu and -3C in Levin.

Shelter assistant supervisor manager Tania Ward said the colourful striped jerseys had been dropped off by keen elderly knitters using up leftover wool. MORE>>