The four puppies were found in a cage at the Nelson SPCA early last Friday morning. 

The four puppies were found in a cage at the Nelson SPCA early last Friday morning. 
Photo: Supplied / SPCA

The SPCA is urging pet owners to reach out for help, after a litter of puppies was abandoned at its Nelson centre.

Manager Amy Sturkenboom arrived at work on Friday to find four dogs were left in a cage on the property with an apology note written on a jumper tied to the outside.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t shoot them. Forgive me,” it read.

Figures from the SPCA show the number of animals surrendered to centres around the country increased by more than a third between 2023 and 2024, from 886 up to 1200.

The puppies were left in a cage with a note written on a jumper tied to the outside.

The puppies were left in a cage with a note written on a jumper tied to the outside.
Photo: Supplied / SPCA

The SPCA said it’s an increasing problem due to the overpopulation of companion animals.

Sturkenboom said animals were being dumped more frequently at the Nelson centre and others across the country and she urged anyone struggling to reach out for help as they could provide rehoming advice, desexing or support with food.

The abandoned puppies were found to be in good health and two have been transferred to the SPCA’s Renwick centre, near Blenheim, as Nelson is at full capacity.

The puppies will be up for adoption in the coming weeks.