SPCA stalwart honoured
Black Ferns skipper also awarded NZ Order of Merit
‘Keep believing” was the message former executive director of the SPCA Robert Kerridge gave after becoming an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit yesterday at the Epsom Government House.
“If you believe in what you do then you’ll do the best you can, which is all you can do,” Kerridge told the Herald.
The 79-year-old was recognised for his services to animal welfare and governance which highlighted developing Outreach Therapy Pets and establishing the New Zealand Companion Animal Council.
Kerridge said he couldn’t help feeling overwhelmed and emotional throughout the ceremony because everything he had done had been for his love of animals.
“This to me was very special because it recognises not only what I have done for animals but it recognises animals as having a place in society.” He said his passion stemmed from when he was a boy and his mother gave him a cocker spaniel. “That was the first love of my life, and that’s when I developed great empathy for animals that I’ve never lost.”
Kerridge became the executive director of the Auckland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in 1984 and continued in that role until 2016.
In this capacity he greatly increased public awareness of animal welfare.
Black Ferns captain Seiuli Fiao’o Faamausili was also awarded the insignia of an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to rugby.
Faamausili was the most capped Black Fern with 52 caps. She has also been involved with Cure Kids New Zealand and has contributed to the grassroots of rugby.