Pet boarding facility Canine & Co is calling on the community to help create a Christmas to Remember for Kaingaroa Village Animal Rescue.

The initiative is a direct result of the generosity shown by Canine & Co’s customers last Christmas and the desire of owners Chelsea Perkinson and Daniel Brogden to direct this generosity into a worthwhile cause.

“We received a lot of gifts, but we thought it would be more meaningful to redirect these holiday gifts to animal rescues around the area,” Ms Perkinson said.

“This year, we have picked Kaingaroa Village Animal Rescue; we are supporting Paula and all the work she does to find kind, loving foster homes for animals in need.”

Dog and cat food, durable and interactive toys, bedding, cleaning supplies, flea and worm treatments and monetary donations are all being collected.

Up until December 23, anyone can bring in a gift to add to the pile under the tree at the boarding kennels in Western Drain Road, make a cash donation or bank transfer.

“Anyone can come in from Sunday to Friday, and if people have donations but can’t drive, we are happy to collect.

“We really want to start helping these animal rescues, and we encourage pet lovers to adopt instead of shopping.

“Let’s work together to make a positive impact on our community and help these animals find comfort and care this season.”

Kaingaroa Village Animal Rescue founder Paula Ngapo said this initiative made them feel “very special”.

“We were not expecting this, but, in all honesty, it really came at the right time.

“Christmas in the past few years has been a very trying time and is normally the time of year where our beautiful forest in the Bay of Plenty becomes a dumping ground for litters of puppies and kittens, and old and young unwanted pets.”

She said the rescue has the largest area to cover of any rescue in the country.

“We are very humbled and grateful to Canine and Co for doing this amazing and caring gesture for us this year. It’s given us a beautiful sense of Christmas.

“We cannot thank them and their followers, and the Whakatāne district enough for thinking of us.”