Our Healthy Cat Dies within 15 Minutes of Seeing Vet
This morning I brought my ten year old cat, Bodhi, to Animates Silverdale to check on a leg injury. The check up revealed him to be a generally healthy cat with a likely pulled ligament. The vet took him away to shave the fur around the swelling and returned five minutes later to tell me he died. Fifteen minutes at this vet and my pet was dead. What could they say?
They said: “Sorry. Never happened before. Could have been this or it could have been that. Would you like us to send him away for a post mortem? Shall we put him in a box for you take home?”
The only reason we took him to the vet was because we were told that if you don’t, and someone sees the cat with a crooked leg they might report you to the SPCA. So we did, and this is the result. A lovely friendly cat, dead.
I am so sorry Bodhi that I took you to the vet; you would have got better all on your own. Be at Peace, Sweet Boy.
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Animal Abuser
🚨 URGENT WARNING TO ALL LOST & FOUND / PET REHOMING PAGES 🚨 and people rehoming pets or reporting lost animals.
It has come to our attention that a long-term, repeat animal abuser is still actively obtaining animals through Facebook groups.
The type of animal does not matter — birds, livestock, dogs, small pets — anything he can access.
He monitors rehoming pages. He approaches people offering “help.” He presents as reasonable. He will say the right things.
Do not give this person any animals under any circumstances.
If you are an admin of a lost & found page, a community group, or a pet rehoming group:
• Please stay vigilant
• Check profiles carefully
• Share this warning across your networks
Animals have already paid the price for people not knowing.
If you are unsure about someone requesting an animal, ask rescue groups to help.
Share your favourite main crop potato recipe and win a copy of our mag!
Love potatoes? We will give away free copies of the May 2026 issue to readers whose potato recipes are used in our magazine. To be in the running, make sure you email your family's favourite way to enjoy potatoes: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by March 1, 2026.
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