Winter weather is in full swing and it's not just humans bearing the brunt but farm animals too.
The SPCA is facing an influx and is calling on Kiwis to foster them to help free up some space.
When you first think of fostering an animal, ducks might not spring to mind, or pigs - or even goats. But it's animals like these that the SPCA is desperately looking to re-home.
"We've had a lot of inspectors coming to us wanting to bring in animals but all of our paddocks and pens and coops are full at the moment," said SPCA farm team leader Gemma Andrew.
The usual challenges of a cold winter, coupled with recent bouts of severe weather, have left many paddocks in a dire state.
On top of that - there's a shortage of supplementary feed.
SPCA animal welfare inspector Kerri Butler said animals are suffering.
"The animals are losing weight, the cold also adds to that because they're burning more energy just trying to stay warm in this weather," Butler told Newshub.
"That's where we start seeing them get skinny, they're unhealthy. That's when we need to get them off the properties and bring them here."
However, all SPCA animal shelters are operating close to capacity.
"We're seeing this throughout the country. All of our centres are struggling for space," Butler said.
"We are out there every day seeing animals that probably need to come in and can't."
The SPCA is calling on foster parents with the right setup to help give these animals some TLC while they wait to find their forever home.
"We cover all the costs involved for the animals. We cover vet care, medical bills, medication, food and transport," Andrew said. "We just ask you to look after the day-to-day care," she said.
Christiane Culpitt has already stepped up to help out and has been fostering goats and pigs for three years.
"The more we foster, the more they can take in," Culpitt told Newshub.
"We've got the land, there's plenty of food for them to eat, plenty of hay, plenty of places for them to run around in."
For her, it's a no-brainer.
"The goats are incredibly affectionate. What you put into them - you get back in bucketloads."
