Proof that a van's not SAFE anywhere

Joseph Barratt | 27th August 2009

A callous thief has left Auckland's animal crusaders without wheels to make their stand on. Joseph Barratt reports.

Down a quiet driveway off a busy inner-city road, two faded white lines mark the spot
where a van used to be parked.

If you know the people who stole the van, it's also likely you'll know what else they stole. Their lounge is probably equipped with all the gear needed to run a campaign against cruelty to animals - complete with animal costumes and a model pig in a crate.

The other giveaway will be the logo printed on the van: Save Animals From Exploitation, or SAFE.

Last Tuesday night, someone stole the campaign van from the organisation's Auckland headquarters close to the city.

The theft is a blow to SAFE's campaigning at markets and malls across the city.

Amanda Sorrenson says it was a "rickety ole van'', an oldish Nissan Vanette, but it was the missing "jewels'' stored inside it that have maimed this animal welfare group's activities. A branded tent, tables, vests, posters, animal costumes and a model pig in a crate were all in the van when it was stolen - everything needed for an information stall.

The crate and model pig formed a $2000 scale replica of a real sow cage used to show the appalling conditions pigs are forced to live in.

"It was made by Weta Workshop. We had 15 made and had to do a lot of fundraising to buy them,'' says Ms Sorrenson.

A temporary replacement has been sent from the SAFE office in Whangarei, but it could take months to replace everything in the van.

"We plan these stalls months in advance and have had to cancel them all."

The theft is also a blow to SAFE's volunteers, says Ms Sorrenson. "They have made their plans around helping out.

SAFE director Anthony Terry says, "The worst thing is that people donate this money to buy these things and it's all been taken.''

He says it will take a long time to rebuild the resources because this will be done through fundraising which takes time. "There no point getting insurance because the excess is so high.''

Know anything about the theft? Ph SAFE, (09) 361 5646.