Animals

Celine Lye, Wellsford Vet Clinic https://wellsfordvet.com/

Fleas and their habits

We often have clients come in and tell us, I’ve already fleaed kitty or pup, but it’s still got fleas and itching! As vets, we have driven the point across many times: ensure you are treating all your pets in the house; ensure you are using a trusted product and at the right dosages for your pets’ weights; ensure you are redosing regularly when needed; and ensure that you are treating all year round.

If someone has done all of the above and still finding fleas, this doesn’t mean that the product is not working. Flea treatment does not prevent fleas from jumping on your pet, it kills them when the fleas are exposed to the treatment on them. If you notice fleas that are moving slower and are easy to catch on your pet, they likely are already in the process of dying after being exposed to treatment, but are relatively new critters that have jumped on them. Healthy fleas are way too fast to be caught. It is also a good idea to check all your pets for flea dirt – just because live fleas are not seen, doesn’t mean they are not around. The best way to check for flea exposure is the paper towel test: use a flea comb to comb through the fur around your pet’s neck and rump, tap the combings onto a paper towel and wet it – if there are dark bits of dirt that turn red with water, that is flea dirt (it is actually digested blood) and is a sign of exposure to fleas.

The likely reason for treatment ‘failure’ is because there is a flea infestation in the environment. Fleas lay their eggs on the host pet and the eggs fall off into the environment, which can include carpets, under the house, between floorboards, cushions, pet bedding, the list goes on. They hatch and grow until the adult flea stage where they then jump back onto a host pet, completing the cycle. The environment must be treated to clear an infestation. This includes vacuuming every few days, washing or replacing pet beddings, flea-bombing the house, treating carpets and rooms with an insect growth regulator flea fogger/target spray, targeting any suspected areas including the garage and even the car, as well as keeping the garden tidy (removing leaf litter, keeping grass short). Anywhere your pet hangs out around the home is a place where fleas may be.

It is a long battle if a flea infestation has taken hold in your home and may take months to get on top of. If you are patient, follow all the right steps and the only fleas you see on your pets are slow moving dying fleas, you know you’re on the road to success. If you need advice on what flea products to use and an in depth discussion on what measures you need to control fleas, contact your local vets.

We provide:

• Care for all your veterinary needs.

• Four dedicated Vets and friendly office staff, who deliver a comprehensive service.

• A Saturday morning clinic.

• An after hours emergency service in Wellsford.

Sports funding open

Applications opened on January 30 for the Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa Fund, with more than $2.3 million available for community-based initiatives and projects engaging tamariki and rangatahi most at risk of missing out or being less active. More than 825 organisations have received investment totalling $13,159,304 since Tū Manawa Aotearoa funding started in September 2020. Online forums to explain the application process will be held on February 14 at 10am and February 15 at 6.30pm. Info: https://aktive.org.nz/tu-manawa-active-aotearoa/

Junior tennis

AceEm Tennis will continue its junior tennis coaching programme in Term 1 at the Matakana Tennis Club. Sign up to secure a spot in a junior hot shots tennis session available on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. To book coaching sessions, visit https://aceem.helloclub.com. Info: Hayden on 021 747 839 or email tennis@aceem.co.nz. Meanwhile, social tennis has resumed at the club on Thursdays, starting at 6pm. All welcome.

Netball

Netball Rodney Centre will hold its Annual General Meeting at the Netball Rodney Centre office in Centennial Park, Wellsford, on Thursday, February 16, starting at 7pm. For more information, email netballrodneycenter@xtra.co.nz

Kids golf

Chipper Nippers for children aged 3-6 years held on Saturdays from 10-11am, starting on February 4; Younger Kids: aged 7-9 years, held on Wednesdays from 3.30-4.30pm, starting February 15; Older Kids: aged 10+ with some golf experience, held on Wednesdays from 4.30-5.30pm, starting on February 15. Classes are free to Omaha Beach Golf Club members. Info: emmafairniegolf@ gmail.com. Golf membership enquiries, email Christine at support@omahagolf.co.nz

Hockey

Summer social hockey 9s restarts on Thursday, February 2. New players and teams welcome. If you are keen to play but don’t have a team, get in contact and you will be allocated a team. For more info: warkworthhockey@gmail.com

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in the Warkworth area:

Warkworth Fellowship Monday

7.30pm, Catholic Church Hall, 6 Alnwick Street, Warkworth Snells Beach Big Book Meeting Thursday 7:30pm, Mahurangi Christian School, 410 Mahurangi East Rd, Snells Beach; Open to Visitors.

If you want to drink, that is your business, if you want to stop, we can help. Phone/text 0275 773 689 www.aa.org.nz | www.12steps.nz

Supported by Mahurangi Matters

Singers Wanted

MATAKANTATA CHOIR IS WELCOMING NEW SINGERS!

If you love to sing and would like to be part of a vibrant, fun and committed group of singers from all walks of life we would love to hear from you. We are looking to expand our ranks for our mid year concert which is a varied selection of works written for film. If you can sing in tune, hold a beat and can invest some time in the process we’d love to hear from you. Contact Jenny at musicaldirector@ matakantata.org.nz

Rehearsals start on Thursday 9th February, so get in quick!

Situations Vacant

We are a family owned and operated holiday park located in Sandspit, the gateway to Kawau Bay & Kawau Island. SHP is a small but busy camp that is looking for a few people to join the team in a variety of roles.

October to May is busy with customers and May to October is busy with repairs, maintenance and development. The applicants must be versatile and able to adapt when required. Hours vary depending on the day of the week and the role as listed below.

FRONT OF HOUSE

Duties include, Checkingin of people, stock control, monitoring of cleaners and quality control. Making bookings, answering emails and other general office duties. Some cleaning is required on occasion

Must be well presented, friendly and have computer skills

CLEANERS

Must have attention to detail, work fast and have pride in their work.

Hours are a minimum 9am to 12pm and depending on workload till 2 or 4 pm on any rostered day. All equipment supplied.

NIGHT WATCH PERSON

Security for the park, its buildings, people and peoples behaviour.

This person must be able to be friendly but firm if required. Hours are normally 9pm till 11pm but could be slightly later if required.

Every Friday & Saturday as set nights. Additional nights as required.

Send your CV to jared@sandspitholidaypark.co.nz

HOUSEKEEPERS WANTED

PLUME VILLAS at 37 Sharp Road, Warkworth, are looking for HOUSEKEEPING STAFF

Flexible hours with a minimum of 10-12 hours a week.

We are looking for reliable, punctual, meticulous, hygieneconscious staff to work week days, as well as weekends and school holidays. Hourly rate of up to $25ph on offer. Apply with full details to Denise at 021 422 313 or manager@plumevillas.co.nz

WANTED TO BUY

Deliverers Wanted

11 YEARS +

TO DELIVER THE MAHURANGI MATTERS NEWSPAPERS Mahurangi Matters is a fortnightly paper. Deliverers needed for runs in the Snells Beach, Warkworth, Wellsford and Mangawhai areas. Contact phone Tanya Milford by txt or email 021 066 0838, tanyamilford@hotmail.com www.reach.nz/walker-signup

Young step back in time

Among those who participated in a heritage walk around the Warkworth township recently were sisters Harriette (left) and Amelia Sandlant. They are pictured in the grounds of the Warkworth RSA with the Bofors anti-aircraft gun, which once operated from a frigate, and part of a fighter aircraft propeller. The walk was led by Heritage Mahurangi chair Dave Parker and followed the route of the recently-launched Heritage Trail brochure. The walk also marked the start of Warkworth’s 170th anniversary celebrations and was organised by the Warkworth Library.

Seen a seal? Let DOC know

A citizen science project encouraging people to report sightings of kekeno/NZ fur seals around the upper North Island has been extended.

In the second half of last year, the Department of Conservation (DOC) conducted a public awareness campaign urging people to report sightings of kekeno around Coromandel and the Hauraki Gulf. This followed a high number of dead kekeno observed in the region during winter 2021. DOC scientists hoped to use the sightings data to be able to learn more about the species and understand if the previous winter’s mortalities indicated a trend.

Marine science advisor Laura Boren says DOC received 102 reports of kekeno sightings between July and November. Of the sightings, 81 were for live animals and 21 were dead. Boren says this was a positive result, as there were significantly fewer dead seals reported than over the previous winter and spring (more than 50 animals).

Collecting data on the seals – dead and alive – will help scientists learn more about the species.

“The decision to extend the project into summer will deliver more valuable data on one of our most visible and interesting marine mammal species,” Boren says. In reporting kekeno sightings, and providing photographs, people should take photos of the whole animal from several angles. For dead animals, at least one photo should be taken looking straight down from above and with something for scale. People are asked to note the date and location, and if the animals are tagged, before sending to: kekeno@doc.govt.nz

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