Media Release from WHISKAS
4 December 2001
COLIN'S ON HER WAY BACK FROM KOREA
Colin's, the world-famous cat from New Plymouth, has been safely collected in Yeosu, Korea, by Westgate Tanker Terminal
Superintendent Gordon MacPherson.
The adventurous cat, who normally lives at Westgate's tanker terminal, Port Taranaki, has spent the past two weeks on
the methanol tanker Tomiwaka, after stowing away when it was in New Plymouth.
Westgate spokesperson Jon Hacon says the company's staff are delighted to hear from Mr MacPherson that Colin's was fit
and well.
"We're anxiously waiting to get Colin's back at the Port where she belongs," Mr Hacon said. "She's a key part of our
community and it will be great to see her again."
Whiskas spokesperson Jeff Herkt says the pet food makers decided to help bring Colin's home after hearing from Westgate
about the close relationship between the port workers and the much-loved moggy.
"Colin's is a wonderful example of an animal that brings a lot of pleasure to people everywhere. That's something we're
delighted to support," Mr Herkt said.
"Animals are beneficial in the workplace. For shyer people or new people at work, animals are a great way of breaking
the ice. They're a great conversation starter and it's easier to go and meet other people when there's an animal
around."
"Pets at work can also increase camaraderie among employees and improve staff morale."
Mr Herkt said research presented at an international conference earlier this year showed that companion animals have a
positive effect on human physical and psychological well-being.
The 9th International Human-Animal Interactions Conference was sponsored by the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, which
provides the science behind the pet food brands Whiskas and Pedigree.
The conference, which was held in Rio de Janeiro in September, saw the release of a variety of research studies.
Findings from the University of Bonn, Germany, indicated that pet dogs can have a stabilising and therapeutic effect for
children caught in the conflicts of a divorce crisis. Other results from Warwick University proved that pets provide
valuable support to women adjusting to and coping with breast cancer, and studies from France and Italy showed the
benefits of animal assisted therapy in communicating with and treating geriatric patients.
ENDS
For more information:
Jeff Herkt - 64 21 973 829 Catherine Etheredge - 64 9 309 1494, 64 25 276 9712