ISSUE 69 SPRING 2017 Police Dog Peppa on patrol see page 10 Pippin lands on his paws see page 12 Bubbles eye operation see page 7 A new life for Tangle see page 13 A happy future for Nala see page 6 A day in the life of the kennels see page 20
Contents Chief Executive report...3 News...4-7 Help a homeless animal...8 Coco and Frosty...9 Peppa s on patrol...10-11 Pippin lands on his paws...12 A new life for Tangle...13 Cats with character...14-15 A new life...16-17 More happy endings...18-19 A day in the life of the kennels...20-21 Volunteering...22 Thank you...23-26 Donation form...28 ANIMALS IN DISTRESS TORBAY AND WESTCOUNTRY Biltor, Edgelands Lane, Ipplepen, Newton Abbot TQ12 5UF Registered Charity No. 1105487 Telephone 01803 812121 Email info@animalsindistress.uk.com Web www.animalsindistress.uk.com Facebook @AnimalsInDistressIpplepen Twitter @AIDIPPLEPEN Instagram @animalsindistress JustGiving www.justgiving.com/animalsindistresstw The Rescue Centre is open daily 10am 4pm (the only exceptions being Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year s Day). Visitors are always welcome. PATRONS Ann Widdecombe DSG Nicholas Evans President Robina Brand Chairman David Turner Directors Robina Brand, Amy Cross, Geraldine Dix, Gordon Gooding, Patricia Tucker, David Turner, Peter Walmsley HEAD OFFICE Chief Executive Neil Thomas Administrator & HR Coordinator Graziella Murtinu Fundraising & Communications Manager Nicola Moorhouse Fundraising & Communications Officer Rowana Rowan Community & Events Fundraiser Esme Chamberlain Finance Officer Laura Slater Head of Retail Kim-Marie Veasey Retail Support Manager Louise Moss Magazine Editor Rowana Rowan RESCUE CENTRE Cattery Manager Lisa Saunders Kennel Manager Clare Meir Rabbit & Guinea Pig Manager Debbie Piper Reception Manager Carol Agar CHARITY SHOPS 102 Reddenhill Road, Babbacombe TQ1 3NT...Tel: 01803 328017 22 Fore Street, St. Marychurch TQ1 4LY...Tel: 10803 327584 74 Fore Street, Bovey Tracey TQ13 9AB...Tel: 01626 836167 341 Torquay Road, Preston, Paignton TQ3 2EP...Tel: 01803 528204 22 Torquay Road, Paignton TQ3 3AB...Tel: 01803 557606 40 Fore Street, Brixham TQ5 9DZ...Tel: 01803 883692 19 Bank Street, Newton Abbot TQ12 2TL...Tel: 01626 369855 12 The Strand, Dawlish EX7 9PS...Tel: 01626 866629 65 High Street, Totnes TQ9 5PB...Tel: 01803 863633 Outlet Shop, Totnes Road, Paignton TQ3 3RZ...Tel: 01803 554096 DISCLAIMER Whilst every care is taken with the production of this Magazine, Animals in Distress accepts no liability for any errors or views in this publication. The views of contributors and advertisers do not necessarily match the views or policies of Animals in Distress, its trustees, employees or volunteers. While Animals in Distress includes as many submissions and photos as possible, regretfully due to the space limitations not everything can be included. To provide a submission for the next issue, please email: magazine@animalsindistress.uk.com 2 ANIMALS IN DISTRESS MAGAZINE SPRING 2017 Cover photo Lucy D Photography
Chief Executive Report At the time of writing this report, the Spring Equinox is nearly upon us marking the first day of the astronomical spring. It s a great time of year with mild temperatures, birds singing in the trees, flowers blooming and a sense of rebirth, all forming a rising tide that lifts everyone s mood. It is also a time to reflect on last year, and for us to celebrate the fact that Animals in Distress had a hugely successful year for rehoming the animals that we cared for. A total of 615 dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs found their forever homes, a 3% increase on the previous year. The new Cattery being fully operational throughout the year made a real difference and as cats have overtaken dogs as the number one pet to own, our rehoming numbers certainly reflected this. Also, thanks to restricting public access to the kennels, we have had far fewer returns, meaning more dogs have found their home for life. The figures were all the more impressive considering that the Rabbit and Guinea Pig Department was mainly 'closed' for admissions and rehoming for the last quarter of the year. Unfortunately, in late September 2016, two newly admitted rabbits, unbeknown to the team at the time, came in harbouring contagious diseases. The staff had to employ strict bio-security arrangements when feeding and cleaning out the rabbits and we worked closely with our vets to deal with the disease issues and protect the remaining rabbits. The experience has shown that we have an acute need for separate admissions and isolation areas and we are working on delivering a viable solution to this. We always knew that 2016 was going to be a tough year financially for the Charity. The historic reliance on legacies and retail to provide the greater share of the Charity s income was never going to sustain the Charity either now or in the future, without positive action being taken. Through various measures implemented throughout the year, we significantly reduced our deficit by year end. We made a substantial reduction in expenditure at the Rescue Centre and in the shops which has made all the difference. The shops are now far more profitable than they have been for a number of years which is very positive, and is a true testament to the hard work of our staff and volunteers. Our focus has to shift to income generation in 2017 and beyond. We need to find new income streams as well as harness and develop existing ones. For example, recently we have significantly increased the number of grant applications that we have made to Trusts that support animal charities, both for help with general running costs and for specific projects. In addition, we have recently recruited our new fundraising team who will start work for the Charity in mid-may. The new team will make a significant difference and take the fundraising at the Charity to a new and exciting level, way beyond where we have been before. With so many charities doing excellent work both locally and nationally there is strong competition to stay relevant, meaningful and ahead of the game. We have to be aware of the reputational risks that have affected the charity sector and to ensure that all of the work that we do at the Rescue Centre, in our shops and in the community is credible, of an excellent standard, and remains highly valued by our supporters and those that use our services. Animals in Distress, like all charities has to be ready to meet the challenges head on and if last year has taught us anything, it is surely that there are no certain outcomes. From time to time, I hear surprise expressed that Animals in Distress is being run in a more business-like way. Our Charity is not a corporate business, and we are set up to help the animals and not to make profit. However, we still have to function professionally and efficiently or we would not be using our supporters money wisely, we would not be sustainable and we would certainly be letting down the animals that we care for. We remain very blessed by having so many wonderful supporters, and when there is an animal in need and their plight highlighted by way of an appeal, we have been overwhelmed with the response. Nala and Bubbles are just two of the animals that feature in this issue and thanks to the tremendous generosity of our supporters, they received the more complex veterinary surgery and care that they needed and were soon on their way to a full recovery. We never take the support that we receive at Animals in Distress for granted as we know that we are just one of many worthy causes out there. We remain fortunate that the Charity s work and aims resonate with people, because without the vital support that we receive from the local community and beyond, we would not be able to do the work we do. Your support makes a very big difference to the lives of the many animals and people who need our services. On behalf of the animals, we remain indebted to you. Thank you. Neil Thomas Chief Executive ANIMALS IN DISTRESS MAGAZINE SPRING 2017 3
news...news...news...news...news...news...news... Jarvis Second Best Paw Shaker King Tommy Best Rescue Poppy Best in Show Funday Sunday Over 500 people came to our annual open day, fun day and dog show on 11th September last year, and we had the most fantastic day. There was agility and a gun dog scurry, children s competitions and lots of stalls to browse. Everyone had a great day and even the weather was beautiful! We would like to say thank you so much to all our wonderful volunteers, stallholders, and every single person who came along to make it such a fantastic day. Christmas Giving Evening Our annual Giving Evening on December 15th was a truly special evening, made even more magical this year by the Unity in Sound Community Choir and their beautiful carol singing, and our amazing grotto which was built for us by students at South Devon College. Thank you so much to every single person that came along on the evening and over the whole Christmas period, bearing gifts for the animals. We were totally overwhelmed by your generosity, yet again! Our Rescue Centre literally runs on your kindness, and we so appreciate all of your support, at Christmas and throughout the year. photo: John Whitehead Prayers for pets On Sunday 4th December we held our annual pet service at St Mary s Church Totnes, kindly organised for us by Sandra and Anthony Nicholson. It was a very beautiful service as always led by the Rev. Julian Ould, and was very well attended by our two and four-legged friends. Thank you so much to everyone that attended and supported Animals in Distress, and all the pets that came along too. An amazing total of 313.78 was raised to help the dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs in our care. photo: Chris Martin photo: Chris Martin 4 ANIMALS IN DISTRESS MAGAZINE SPRING 2017
news...news...news...news...news...news...news... Happy 60th birthday Linda Linda Walker and her family are long-time supporters of Animals in Distress, and they travel all the way from Plymouth every week to visit their favourite shop, our Outlet in Paignton. Sue and Assistant Manager Laura put up birthday banners, when on her 60th birthday Linda decided that what she would most like to do was to spend the morning shopping at the Outlet! Linda brought her birthday cake and shared her birthday celebration with her family and the staff at the shop. Happy birthday Linda, and thank you so much for all your support over the years, from everyone at Animals in Distress. King Tommy goes to Crufts King Tommy, who won the Best Rescue category at our dog show last year, has made the headlines as he has gone on to achieve greater and greater things. King Tommy, an Indian Pariah Cross, was a Scruffts Finalist in March, after winning the semi-finals in London last October and being crowned Most Handsome Crossbreed dog in the UK! Monique Nerman rescued King Tommy while she was living in India, and he has lived with her all over the world since then. They now live in Devon where King Tommy is registered as a Pets at Therapy (PAT) dog. He is the first Indian dog ever to go to Crufts. Monique has written a novel based on King Tommy s true story, which is on sale at the Rescue Centre and our shops now. Dog law seminar As dog owners we all need to understand our rights and responsibilities with regards to dogs and the law, in order to protect ourselves, our dogs and other people. In November Rescue Centre staff attended a Dog Law Seminar to make sure that our staff are fully up to date with all the recent changes in dog law. Animals in Distress would like to thank specialist solicitor Trevor Cooper for a very interesting and informative morning. ANIMALS IN DISTRESS MAGAZINE SPRING 2017 5 Photo: onedition and the Kennel Club
news...news...news...news...news...news...news... Thanks to you, our amazing supporters, 4 month old Nala now has a happy future ahead of her. In January when Nala was just 9 weeks old, she arrived at the Rescue Centre with a very badly broken leg. After X-raying her leg and realising the complexity of the fracture, our vet referred Nala to an orthopaedic specialist. The specialist Patrick Ridge agreed to carry out the surgery at a much reduced charitable rate for Animals in Distress, but being a small charity with lots of mouths to feed, we could not find the amount needed to cover all of Nala's treatment. That was when we turned to you, our wonderful supporters, for help. 6 ANIMALS IN DISTRESS MAGAZINE SPRING 2017 We were bowled over by your response to our appeal to help Nala. We reached our target amount in under 3 days, which was a testament to your incredible generosity. Over the next few weeks, donations continued to pour in for Nala s aftercare, and in total we raised over 2300. Nala had her operation at the end of January. Her leg had to be pinned internally with an external framework for support, and the vet was concerned that there might have been some radial nerve damage caused by the break, which would have made amputation necessary. However, in the weeks following her operation, Nala recovered very well indeed, and was using her leg normally. A Happy future for Nala Thanks to you, Nala has a wonderful life ahead of her Sometimes the main problem was trying to keep her quiet and contained, as she is such a lively little kitten! 6 weeks later, Nala had made a full recovery. Her X-rays showed that the bone had completely healed, and she was so happy to be able to run about and play again! Nala has recently gone to a lovely new home with Alison, Jack and Hazel where we just know she is going to be thoroughly spoilt and will have a wonderful life. Thank you again to everyone who gave so generously to make this possible. Once again, we are completely overwhelmed by your kindness and love for the animals in our care.
news...news...news...news...news...news...news... In Memory of The Bear 1995-2016 photo: Tom Cox The Bear was an incredible cat who lived with the author Tom Cox. Like our own Champ, the Bear s original owner dumped him by the side of a motorway, and he lived to tell the tale. The Bear lived a lovely and happy life with Tom, and he attracted a massive following on his Twitter page @MYSADCAT. Tom described The Bear as Patron saint of the homeless and abandoned. Wonderful, soulful onein-a-million cat and friend. Sadly The Bear passed away in December at the grand age of 21. In his memory, Tom very generously donated a very large amount of food for the homeless cats in our care at Christmas. We were also overwhelmed by an inpouring of kindness from all around the world, from people moved by The Bear's story who have made donations to help our cats. Several people have sponsored cat pens in memory of The Bear, including The Bear s Army, a lovely group of ladies who have permanently sponsored a pen in his name. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to everyone who has donated in honouring a very special cat, you have made a massive difference to the lives of all the cats in our care. Bubbles In January many of you very kindly donated towards Bubbles eye operation, after we posted about her on our Facebook page. When poor Bubbles was younger, she was tortured by some children who shot her in the eye with an airgun and cut off half of her tail. Bubbles was rescued from that situation at the age of 5, and lived happily on a farm for several years before becoming terrified of one of the farm dogs who kept chasing her. At the age of 12 Bubbles ended up at Animals in Distress looking for a new home in which to spend her retirement years. Bubbles eye was still causing her great discomfort, and our vet recommended the removal of the eye to make her more comfortable. Bubbles was also diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and had to have a partial thyroidectomy. During that operation the vet found a lump in the other side of her neck, and an X-ray showed it to be the airgun pellet that had damaged her eye. We also discovered that her hyperthyroidism had also been masking the early stages of kidney disease. It took several weeks for Bubbles to stabilise again after her surgery, and with a change in diet we were able to manage her kidney problem. Finally, in March, Bubbles was able to have the operation to remove her eye, and the vet removed the shotgun pellet at the same time. Bubbles is making a very good recovery and she now has a lovely home with Angela, Mike and Jonah, where she is very loved and spoilt. Bubbles' terrible ordeal has not shaped her behaviour at all - she remains the most loving cat, who loves nothing more than some fuss or a warm lap to sit on. She can now look forward to a very happy and peaceful future with her lovely new family. Thank you so much to everyone that generously donated to make this happy future possible for Bubbles. ANIMALS IN DISTRESS MAGAZINE SPRING 2017 7
Could you help a homeless animal? A living legacy Remembering Animals in Distress in your Will is a powerful way to help the animals of South Devon, long into the future. The work we do gives the cats, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs in our care the second chance at the happy life that they deserve. We are also here to serve the local community by taking in the pets that they are no longer able to care for, no matter what the reason. We hope to provide this service to the animals and to our local community for as long as we are needed. By remembering the animals through a gift in your Will you are making this possible and securing the future of the Rescue Centre. You are giving a lasting gift, long into the future. If you are interested in remembering the animals through a gift in your Will, and would like to discuss this or any aspect of our work, please feel free to contact Rowana on 01803 812121 or via email on rowana@animalsindistress.uk.com photo: Lucy D Photography Sponsor a pen For as little as 4 a month, you can ensure that a lost or abandoned animal always has somewhere warm and safe to stay while they wait for a loving family to take them home. By sponsoring a kennel or a pen at Animals in Distress, you can give a homeless dog, cat, rabbit or guinea pig a second chance at the life they deserve. Pen sponsorship makes a perfect gift for an animal lover. For more information visit our website or call Rowana on 01803 812121. 8 ANIMALS IN DISTRESS MAGAZINE SPRING 2017
Coco and Frosty need a loving home Coco and Frosty are a sweet and adorable pair, who found themselves at the Rescue Centre when their owner could no longer care for them. They completely adore each other, and need to find a new home together. Coco and Frosty have been at the Rescue Centre now for almost a year and no one has wanted to give them a home. Staff at the Rescue Centre can t understand why they have been overlooked for so long, as they are the sweetest pair and very cute. Coco and Frosty are really hoping that they will find their forever home soon. They are looking for somewhere with plenty of space to run and jump around. Could you offer this sweet pair the loving home that they are longing for? If you want to find out more about adopting Coco and Frosty please do get in touch. Appeal for donated goods We re in need of donations of second hand clothes and other goods at our charity shops across South Devon if you re having a Spring clean, we would love to have your donated items at any of our shops. Thank you so much for your support, on behalf of all the animals at the Rescue Centre we really do appreciate it. Cover boy Cookie Meet our cover boy, Cookie we think he is so handsome! You can meet Cookie and the many other cats available now for rehoming, by visiting the cattery at the Rescue Centre, open every day from 10.30am till 4pm. photo: Lucy D Photography Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram If you are online, please come and join our growing community on social media. There you will find daily updates on the animals, heart-warming rehoming stories, information about events, appeals for help for the animals, and more. Facebook @AnimalsinDistressIpplepen Twitter @AIDIPPLEPEN Instagram @animalsindistress ANIMALS IN DISTRESS MAGAZINE SPRING 2017 9
PE PA S ON PATROL Q: Where do the police get their dogs from? A: When it comes to search dogs they sort of find us! With our general purpose police dogs there are breeding programmes, and lots of science involved behind what makes a good dog. The search dogs are completely different most of them are gifted to us or rehomed from centres like Animals in Distress. We normally look for gun dog breeds such as spaniels and labs, as they have a proven history, and we find a lot of these kind of dogs in rescues, working dogs that people often mistakenly think will 10 ANIMALS IN DISTRESS MAGAZINE SPRING 2017 make good pets. We like the dogs to be between 10 and 24 months, but we are flexible if they re exceptional dogs. Q: What makes a good search dog? A: When assessing a dog for this kind of work, first impressions count and are normally right. Are they fit and healthy? Confident not nervous? Balanced not aggressive? I look at their play drive, with a tennis ball or any dog toy. Will they play fetch with me? If I throw the ball and hold on to them, will they go get it and bring it back for another throw? I then make it harder if I throw it out of Meet Police Dog Peppa! One-year-old Peppa found herself at the Rescue Centre last summer, when her owners decided they could no longer cope with her hyperactivity and destructive behaviour. She was a very lively and intelligent young dog who really needed a working home. As destiny would have it, police dog handler Steve was on the lookout for a new dog when he came to visit the Rescue Centre, and so it was that Peppa began her exciting new life as a police dog. Peppa went on to become the star of police dog training school, and passed all of her training with flying colours. We met with police dog handler Steve to find out more about how the police choose and train their search dogs. sight into long grass or another room, will they go and search for it? I will then go and hide the ball. I like to see how they go and look for it. This is where I can really see their desire and search capability. When the ball goes from visual to hidden a good dog will start to use their nose - you can hear them sniffing more deeply, and small changes in body language are a tell-tale sign. These things can be assessed in under 30 minutes. Once they pass this test I like to take them out of their normal surroundings for the day. This will check their confidence and I can see how they react in different environments. What are they like in
Left to right: PD Loki (retired), PD Peppa and PD Blitz PD Peppa in training the dark? On slippery floors? With strangers? In vehicles? This normally takes a day to do, and all the time I carry on playing fetch, hide and seek games with the ball always keeping it fun and happy. Q: Why did you choose Peppa? A: On this occasion I was looking for a dog for myself for an upcoming training course. I had already seen two other dogs, one of which would have been suitable, but as soon as I saw Peppa it was love at first sight! She is a gorgeous dog. When she passed all her tests with flying colours, I knew she would be a brilliant search dog, and I desperately wanted to keep her for myself. Q: What kind of work do search dogs do? A: Search dogs can go on to be trained for numerous roles in the police, working with drugs, cash, weapons or explosives. They can also be used for victim recovery (deceased persons) or crime scenes (looking for blood). There are a lot of things they can do if there s a scent to find, they can do it. Q: How are the dogs trained? A: The courses range from 4 to 8 weeks depending on what the dog goes on to do. There are a lot of misconceptions about how police train dogs, and it still amazes me that people think we are hard on them, or even get them addicted to drugs! That's ridiculous. If you have seen some of the dancing dogs on Britain s Got Talent, all of our training is done using the same principle. We use positive reinforcement to harness a particular behaviour. In this case the dog s natural ability to search is used. We show the dog a scent we want him to find, then as soon as the dog goes near the scent we mark it with a clicker, and then throw a toy in for play. The dog is shown this one scent in isolation over and over, each time getting a click and reward (toy). The substance is actually hidden in a box or cage so the dog can t visually see it, but can get the scent through a gap. The dog soon realises that if he goes to this scent he will get a toy as a reward. Simple really! If the dog doesn t work or show interest, we don t tell him off not even a no we just take him back, making it easier for him until he does get it. Once a dog knows this game it's very easy to introduce more scents. I ve heard that dogs can hold up to 60 scents but we don t usually have a need for more than 15. The clicker is used because as the dog progresses we can train him to passively indicate on the scent, without touching it. There are two reasons for this firstly for safety as we don t want the dog to eat anything dangerous, and secondly we don t want him to touch anything which could be evidence. Using the clicker also means we can delay the reward, so the dog will stay with the find until he hears the click and knows it s play time. Q: Do the police dogs live in kennels? A: No, all the dogs are assigned to one handler alone, and they work with that one person only, developing a real bond. The dog lives with the handler 24/7 and is very much part of the family. He is afforded the best health care, and top end food designed for working dogs. When the dog retires, the handler will usually keep the dog as a pet. Most spaniels are retired at age 8-10, depending on the fitness of the individual dog. Police Dog Peppa is really the girl who has it all - a loving home with every comfort, and an exciting job too! She is a very happy girl and everyone at the Rescue Centre is so pleased for her. You can follow Peppa training and the other 60+ dogs from Devon, Cornwall and Dorset Police on Twitter @DCPDogSchool. ANIMALS IN DISTRESS MAGAZINE SPRING 2017 11
Pippin has photos: Lucy D Photography landed on his paws We will give Pippin plenty of love and the best life possible, however long that may be Last summer a litter of seven gorgeous baby rabbits were brought to us, as their previous owner could not cope with them. Everything seemed fine until one morning when one of the baby girls was taken ill, and we discovered that they were carrying coccidiosis. Most rabbits will come into contact with this disease at some point in their lives, but most adult rabbits with a healthy immune system will not be affected. Unfortunately the babies had come from unsuitable conditions where their immature immune systems were put under stress. We were advised by our veterinary team to close for rehoming and all of our rabbits were treated with a course of antibiotics. After a few weeks all the babies apart from one tested negative for the disease, and they went to lovely new homes. This left the youngest and smallest whom we had all affectionately nicknamed Runty. He was half the size of his siblings, with curly hair and whiskers, and a huge cheeky personality. Runty was a firm favourite amongst all the staff in the rabbit department. Runty was the highest carrier of the disease, and this may have caused some liver damage. As a result he may possibly have a shortened lifespan. He had to be rehomed as an only rabbit, since he could still be a carrier for the rest of his life. We do not like rehoming our rabbits singly unless they are going to be a house rabbit and will receive plenty of human company. We advertised him on our website and Facebook with a new and more suitable name of Pippin! However would we find him a forever home when people realised he may have a shortened lifespan? We need not have worried. A couple of weeks later Karen and her family came to us looking for a house rabbit as they had recently lost their beloved bunny. We explained Pippin s story and luckily the family were not put off by his potential long term future. Pippin went to his lovely new home at the end of February. Karen explains Pippin has settled in very well to his new home in our kitchen, and he has the run of the house. He loves to sit on the settee with us and have head rubs. He also likes to chase our cat! He is a lovely rabbit and we are all in love with him. We will give Pippin plenty of love and the best life possible, however long that may be. We are all so happy for Pippin, as he now has a most wonderful life and is very loved. It s everything we could have hoped for him. 12 ANIMALS IN DISTRESS MAGAZINE SPRING 2017
A new life for Tangle Tangle s heartbreaking story has a very happy ending A terrified but very sweet-natured Border Collie arrived at the Rescue Centre last summer as a stray. He was little more than skin and bone, and was in a very sorry state. His hair was completely matted up, and the Rescue Centre staff named him Tangle. Tangle was scared of everything, and incredibly nervous of all the staff to begin with, but he would show all his teeth in a big Collie smile. Due to his sweet nature he quickly became a firm favourite of all the staff. After lots of TLC and many grooming sessions, Tangle s condition began to improve. However, he was scared of the nice soft bed we gave him, preferring to sleep on the hard concrete floor which he was used to. Tangle had a problem with fluid on his elbow joints, due to having slept on a hard floor outside for all of his life. One of our very kind supporters, Tangle still has moments of worry, but with a lot of encouragement he soon forgets his troubles Anne, bought Tangle some elbow supports to help ease the pressure on his joints, and we made the floor as soft as possible by putting blankets and cushions down. After a few weeks his elbow problem had cleared up. Tangle s confidence began to grow, and he started to blossom into the sweet dog that he truly is. Then along came Malcolm and Pauline who gave Tangle the loving new home that he so needed. Tangle has settled in wonderfully with his new family. Malcolm explains Mr Tangle has settled in to life with us really well, he still has moments of worry but with a lot of encouragement (and a few treats!) he soon forgets his troubles. His elbows are fine now so we don t use the supports any more. He loves his walks down the Tarka Trail with Gracie our other dog, although most of the time you would think they'd been on different walks, as Gracie comes home looking fine and Tangle comes in covered in mud like a little scruff bag! Tangle truly has found his forever home, and we couldn t be happier for him. ANIMALS IN DISTRESS MAGAZINE SPRING 2017 13
Cats with character Sadly, there are always a few cats who, due to their quirky characters, are continually overlooked by visitors and potential rehomers. They are all beautiful cats, and all friendly on their own terms! Professional photographer Lucy Duval came to the Rescue Centre and volunteered her time to showcase some of the lovely cats who have been at the Rescue Centre for a long time, and would really love to find their forever homes soon. If you could give one of these beautiful kitties a loving home, please get in touch. Charlie Kitty is a sweet 7 year old girl, looking for her forever home with a special person who can help her to come out of her shell and shower her with love. She loves having her belly rubbed and can be very affectionate on her own terms - and she just loves sitting on a lap. She has been kept as an indoor cat for 5 years but would love the opportunity to explore a garden! Kitty would prefer to be the only pet in her new home, and could live with children aged 13+. Charlie has been at the Rescue Centre for a year. He is a lovely friendly 7 year old boy looking for a new home in a rural location, which is what he is used to. Charlie would make a great farm or stable cat. Unfortunately his last owners moved from the country to a built up area where there were a lot of other cats. He found this change very unsettling and started pulling his hair out then he found himself here at the Rescue Centre. Charlie enjoys a fuss and being stroked and will sit on your lap. He could live with children aged 7+. Kitty 14 ANIMALS IN DISTRESS MAGAZINE SPRING 2017 photos: Lucy D Photography
Pickles Pickles is a 10 year old independent girl. She likes to be stroked and even to sit on a lap occasionally for a short while just enough time for a bit of fuss and attention. She is very playful and loves to chase balls of paper around the house. She is very much a one person cat, and would prefer to be an only pet, though she would happily live alongside children aged 10+. Alfie is a sweet and incredibly handsome 13 year old boy, looking for his purrfect retirement home. Alfie is a very independent chap, and has always been allowed to come and go as he pleased via his cat flap. He is a bit wary of new people in the house so it s important that he has open access to come and go as he pleases. He could live alongside another cat, though due to his quiet nature, children in the home should be 13+. Alfie photos: Lucy D Photography ANIMALS IN DISTRESS MAGAZINE SPRING 2017 15
A new life A loving home can make all the difference to an animal with behavioural or health issues Tilly Tilly arrived in August, a sweet girl but terrified and in a very neglected state. Due to a severe skin condition she had lost much of her hair. Our vet also found that Tilly had been over-used as a breeding bitch in the past, had a mammary tumour and also a urinary infection. Tilly would need months of veterinary care to make her well again. Tilly responded well to her treatment, and over time she started to come out of herself and became a much happier little dog. She really loved her daily walks, though she had not been walked in the past, and she even started to play with a ball. Tilly also loved to have lots of attention from the Rescue Centre staff! Then along came Jennifer and Greg, and when they saw Tilly it was love at first sight! Tilly went to her lovely new home at the end of September. She continued with her treatment and regular vet visits, and has made an incredible recovery. Tilly often comes back to visit us at the Rescue Centre, and it s hard to believe that this is the same dog that arrived in such a sorry state last 16 ANIMALS IN DISTRESS MAGAZINE SPRING 2017 summer. Her coat has grown back fully, and she is loving her new life with her new family. We had been looking for a dog for several months, and when we found Tilly we knew she was the dog for us - it was meant to be. Tilly is an absolutely stunning dog, and she is lovely with our cat, they are best friends. Tilly is the perfect dog for us. Jennifer and Greg Purdy Purdy arrived at the Rescue Centre in August 2015 as a stray. She was in a shocking state, much of her skin left bald and red-raw by a severe skin condition. Purdy was treated by our vet, and her skin condition improved but she needed ongoing medication to keep it under control. Because of this she was constantly overlooked, and remained at the Rescue Centre for nearly 18 months before Steph and Oliver came along to give her the loving home she had longed for. Purdy has been with us for a couple of months now - she is definitely the ruler of our house and gets treated like a little baby! She is We knew Tilly was the dog for us - it was meant to be always trying to sit in between us just so she can have all the attention. We have been working with the vet to reduce Purdy s medication, and she is now thriving. She has had no flare ups of her skin condition since day one, and we have been able to greatly reduce her medication. She is now on a raw food diet which she has taken to really well, and is helping with her skin. It would be great if others could read her story and see how the right home environment can really help make an animal happy! Oliver and Steph It would be great if others could see how the right home environment can really help make an animal happy! Purdy
Ted Ted Ted arrived at the Rescue Centre in July, a hyper and highly intelligent Collie X GSD. 5 year old Ted had already had two homes before coming to us, and he was nervous of people, reactive with other dogs, and hated the vet! The kennel staff and dog walkers did a lot of work with Ted to help him with some of his issues and he made fantastic progress. However, Ted did not adapt well to life in kennels; he suffered massive stress and became very ill. Everyone at the Rescue Centre loved Ted and did their best for him, but what he desperately needed was a loving home, and experienced owners to be able to help him with his issues and continue with his training. Finally, after 137 days at the Rescue Centre, Ted did indeed find his perfect home. He went to live with David, Janice, Daniel and Cat, and in the home he has become a big softy. He loves everyone and even goes to work with the family in their shop. Daniel explains Ted is settling in well, he's very loyal and likes to lay beside whoever is around. He has a constant waggy tail with its own power source! We've found Ted to be a quick learner and follows commands for the most part. He loves his walks and squeaky tennis balls! Lately he's been coming to work with us and meeting the customers, he loves the attention. The best things, after a long time without a dog, are the friendly greetings and the warmth and relaxation man's best friend can offer. After some difficult times Ted has definitely landed on his feet, and we are so happy for him he has the best possible life and it s everything we could have wished for him. Alfie Alfie arrived at the Rescue Centre in June last year, one of 3 stray feral kittens that had been found in someone s garden. The kittens had had no human interaction in their first few weeks of life and were terrified of people and of being handled. We knew that Alfie needed a special home with someone who could coax him out of his shell, someone with the time and patience to help him relax and get used to After some difficult times Ted has definitely landed on his feet being around people. Luckily for Alfie he did find that special home with Michelle and Chris. Michelle explains Alfie is doing fantastic now he's really come out of his shell. He's such an affectionate little kitten and at times completely bonkers. He charges around the house like a loony, he definitely owns the place. He loves going out and exploring outside, he goes off for 2 or 3 hours and comes back chattering away like he's telling you about his adventures. He's the most amazing little kitten and his mummy and daddy love him to bits. He's even been on holiday with us which he loved. Alfie ANIMALS IN DISTRESS MAGAZINE SPRING 2017 17
More happy endings All of these rescue pets Felix Felix was a little nervous at first, spending most of his first few days in the house hiding between the sofa and the armchair, but he was soon out and about, rubbing his face against the furniture to mark his territory. He's 12 years old, but it's almost like he's grown younger since he's been with us. When he first arrived, he walked a little shakily on his hind legs and had trouble climbing the stairs, but he now rears up on his hind legs for fresh chicken and takes the staircase at a running pace. He's made a little nest for himself under our bed for when he wants to be on his own, but he's often found curled up in our armchair, on the window ledge watching the garden or fast asleep on one of our laps. We love him. Ian and Alison Brodie Brodie really enjoys being with Missy our malamute. They are inseparable, and enjoy long walks together and playing together. Brodie especially enjoys laying in very wet and muddy puddles. Donna Leo "Leo (formerly known as Peanut) has definitely made himself at home. If he's not down at Bakers Park tearing it up with a couple of friends, you will find him lounging on the sofa normally cuddled into whoever he can find. Thank you so much Animals in Distress for all your help and for giving us this adorable little boy. Scarlett Dixon We have had Dixon now almost a year. He is doing great and has settled in really well. He has learned much from our older dog Smudge, as well as from us. Dixon has regular walks on the moors around us, and he becomes very excited when he knows we are going up on the moors. Andy and Mandy Sidney Sidney (formerly Popeye) is now happy in his new family with his adopted brothers, Eric and Ricky the dog. Thanks again for allowing us to adopt, our family is now complete. Sue 18 ANIMALS IN DISTRESS MAGAZINE SPRING 2017
have landed on their paws, and found the loving, forever home they dreamed of Lady and Leo Leo (formerly Flynn) is a little lion, he's so much fun, and Lady (formerly Allison) really is a little lady, she is so gentle and loves cuddles. They are both the most affectionate, friendly, fun and most of all loving kitties. We could not be more happy to have given a home to these two little brother and sister orphaned kittens. We simply love them and all of you at Animals in Distress are amazing for looking after them when they were found. Daniella and Danny Bertie Adopting Bertie has been the best thing ever! Although cheeky and challenging at times, he is settling in well and filling our house with love and laughter. Thank you to everyone at Animals in Distress. Neil, Angie and Ash Lord Paddington Adopting Lord Paddington is honestly the most rewarding thing I have ever done, and I would always rescue from now on. Seeing him go from quiet and quite overweight, to a (slightly) more slender and confident pig is amazing. He waits every morning in the same place for me and has even started popcorning and wheeking with happiness when his dinner is coming. He s a brilliant little piglet. Carly Winnie Winnie is an absolutely beautiful dog. She loves cuddles, and goes extremely silly when she gets a back rub. At bedtime, she loves to be tucked into bed with her toys where she stays all night. She is a very energetic funny dog who absolutely loves people and playing ball and trips out in the car. Denise Oreo "Oreo has been part of our family for nearly 12 months now, and he gets on so well with our female rabbit Snowy. They both love spending all their time in the run, playing with the ball and especially love munching on dandelions! Oreo is such a sweet natured rabbit and I wouldn't be without him, thank you for all your help introducing him to Snowy." Gina Lord ANIMALS IN DISTRESS MAGAZINE SPRING 2017 19
AROUND THE A day in the life of: the kennels Life in kennels can be difficult and overwhelming for dogs who find themselves without a family, and at Animals in Distress we have a dedicated and experienced team of kennel staff who help them to adjust, and to get ready for life in a new home. Every day in the kennels begins at 6am, when Keith lets all the dogs out and gives them their breakfast. The rest of the kennel staff arrive at 9 and the morning cleaning gets underway. Every dog is given a run in the field, and the dog walkers arrive to give every dog a walk. During the day vet visits, training sessions, kennel assessments, bathing and grooming can also take place. Every dog is assessed while in our care, so we have a good understanding of a dog s personality, behaviour, likes and dislikes, and how they interact with other dogs. This information enables us to match them with the most suitable home. To find out how well a dog can get along with other dogs, they are introduced to other dogs at the Rescue Centre. I (editor) talked to Animal Welfare Assistant Steve while he was mixing two dogs, Charlie and Riva, in the paddock. Every new dog who comes to the rescue centre meets my two dogs, Freya and Charlie, first, Steve told Kerenza RESCUE CENTRE me, because they are safe dogs and I always know how they will react. Bearing in mind how that meeting goes, we then pair the new dog with another dog from the kennels. Charlie and Riva are both playful, so they were introduced and they hit it off instantly now they are Steve It s an amazing feeling knowing you have made a difference to a dog s life. The kennel team, left to right Karen, Steve, Kate, Keith, Lorna and Clare great friends. If the new dog is very nervous, I will keep mixing them with my dogs for a few days first to see if they will settle. If a dog has any issues to be worked on the staff will develop a training plan, to begin addressing any problems before the dog leaves. Charlie the Border Collie came to the Rescue Centre because he was lunging at traffic and chasing joggers, and his owner couldn t cope. Steve has been working with Charlie, taking him on training walks on a head collar, and teaching him to leave 20 ANIMALS IN DISTRESS MAGAZINE SPRING 2017
every time a car goes past, using treats as a reward. Charlie has now started to change his behaviour - instead of going for the car he now looks for his treat every time a car goes by. Steve has also been teaching Charlie a distance down to begin addressing his chasing issue. We don t have time to do all the training and behavioural work that is needed, because we have so many other tasks to do each day Steve told me. But we do what we can, and we make a start so that new owners will have a plan in place to continue the training. It s truly a privilege working with the dogs every day. It s an amazing feeling knowing you ve made a difference to a dog s life. The dogs all have more time outside in the afternoon, then it s time for dinner and a bedtime treat before the staff go home at 5pm. Keith, who is never really off-duty, goes to check on all the dogs again later in the evening, and make sure they are all settled for the night. The dogs have been on the go all day, and are usually all fast asleep by 6pm. The dogs at the Rescue Centre may not have a home, but they do have the love and care of our devoted kennel staff, while they wait for a family to take them to their forever home. Our work may not make a huge difference to the world, but it makes a world of difference to the dogs. Liz and Wendy, with Buddy and Button Foster homes for anxious dogs Life in the kennels is a difficult adjustment for any dog when they find themselves suddenly without a home and a family. But for some dogs, that transition is just too much for them to cope with, and that is where a temporary foster home can make all the difference. When Animal Welfare Assistants Wendy and Liz leave work in the evening, they regularly take home nervous and stressed dogs who just can t cope in kennels, to give them the comfort that only being in a home can bring. The dogs are then calm enough to meet prospective new owners, and find loving new homes. A huge thank you to Wendy, Liz and also Jan Jackson who regularly helps us with fostering, for making this possible for those dogs. Meet our staff Keith Parker ADCH Petplan Employee of the Year - Nominee Keith has worked as an Animal Welfare Assistant at Animals in Distress for 22 years. He lives on site and acts as a caretaker, looking after all the rescue animals 24 hours a day if needed. Keith is contracted to start work at 9am, but he chooses to begin every morning at 6am in the kennels, taking each of the dogs out in turn, and feeding them before the working day begins. Keith often works through the night as well, if there are animals in need of his care, staying with them around the clock for as many days or weeks as it takes to nurse them back to health. Keith has saved the lives of many dogs over the years: dogs like Brienne, a Rottweiler who had suffered severe bleeding and was given only a 10% chance of survival; Fred Flintstone, a terrier who had been used for badger baiting and arrived at the Rescue Centre minus most of his face; and Ted, who suffered surgical complications which left him with a very slim chance of survival. Keith tended to all these dogs day and night for several weeks, and carried on with his normal work duties too. All of these dogs made remarkable recoveries, but without Keith none of them would have survived. Keith has also brought many puppies into the world, often staying up all night to make sure each one was OK after being born. Keith is the unsung hero of Animals in Distress! Everything he does is out of his own love for the animals and his outstanding commitment to their welfare whatever it takes. ANIMALS IN DISTRESS MAGAZINE SPRING 2017 21
VOLUNTEERING Jenny Meet our amazing dog walkers Sheila Come rain or shine, our band of amazing dog walkers are always here, making sure that the dogs have plenty of exercise, and helping them to put their lives back together again. Jan Walks the dogs: 3 days a week Years volunteering: 11 years I have been walking the dogs at the Rescue Centre since I lost my own beloved German Shepherd. I walk the same dogs each time, building up a relationship with them and gaining their trust. This is really important, especially for those dogs very shattered at suddenly finding themselves in kennels the continuity of having someone they recognise come to take them out for a treat can really help them to build up a relationship again. Paul Sheila Walks the dogs: Every day Years volunteering: 8 years I love doing this work for the dogs sake, and it s great for me too. Jan Paul Walks the dogs: 3 days a week Years volunteering: 3 years I love my days at the Rescue Centre, it s very satisfying and rewarding to know I am helping the dogs and also the staff here. I get the pleasure of seeing the dogs I ve got to know being rehomed. Thank you to ALL of our amazing committed dog walkers, especially the regulars Jenny, Sheila, Jan, Paul, Gill, Sue, Nicki, Terry, Peter, Ann, Dan, Jo and Stuart you all make a massive difference to the dogs lives and we are so grateful for everything you do! Jenny Walks the dogs: Every day Years volunteering: 6 years I promised myself that when I retired I would work with animals. I volunteered as a dog walker and it was the best decision I have ever made. I absolutely adore the dogs and feel so lucky that I can help them in some small way to make their days a little better. It is a win/win situation the dogs get a walk and so do I. Gill Gill Walks the dogs: 3 days a week Years volunteering: 3 years I love the company of dogs, and it s very good for me to get out and make a difference, now that I ve retired. 22 ANIMALS IN DISTRESS MAGAZINE SPRING 2017
Thank you! This section is all about you, our amazing supporters A new doggy hairdryer in memory of Jarvis In November, our trusty hairdryer that had given so many years of service in the kennels finally broke down. We are always going to need a good hairdryer, as grooming is an important part of the care we give to all the dogs that come through our gates. Some dogs arrive at the Rescue Centre in a very sorry state, and need a lot of care and attention, and all the dogs need to look their best when meeting prospective new owners. We were so grateful when Rob and Liz from Haytor came forward and generously donated the funds for a brand new industrial hairdryer to the Rescue Centre, in memory of Jarvis, their Cocker Spaniel. Rob said Jarvis was the perfect dog in so many ways, and he was my best friend in the world. Jarvis sadly passed away in March 2016, at only 5 years old. Everyone at Animals in Distress would like to say a massive thank you to Rob and Liz for their wonderful donation. Jarvis s legacy will help the dogs in our care to look their best, and to find lovely new homes, for many years to come. 3rd Paignton Brownies In October the 3rd Paignton Brownies held a cake and biscuit sale at their Brownie meeting, to raise money for the dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs at the Rescue Centre, and raised an amazing 50. A massive thank you to all the Brownies for their hard work your donation makes a big difference to the animals. Hello Pets A massive thank you to Kirsty, Tobie, Chester and Leo from Hello Pets Dog Walking and Grooming, who kindly organised a very successful dog walk on the beach in December, in aid of Animals in Distress. Over 60 people went on the dog walk, and they raised an incredible 277 to help the animals at the Rescue Centre. Thank you so much to Kirsty, Tobie and every single person and dog who went to the dog walk on Broadsands Beach. We really appreciate your support and it makes a huge difference to the lives of the animals in our care. ANIMALS IN DISTRESS MAGAZINE SPRING 2017 23
David Alford In June David Alford ran the Torbay Half Marathon with a time of 1 hour and 47 minutes, and raised an amazing 95 for the animals at the Rescue Centre. David said It was a good day for running, with the weather being overcast and dry, and I am already looking forward to running the next one. Thank you so much David, we really appreciate your support and it really helps the animals in our care. Aspire Electrical A big thank you to Neil and Mike from Aspire Electrical Ltd, who came to the Rescue Centre at Christmas bringing an amazing donation of 500 to help the animals. We are so grateful for your support. Santander A big thank you to Steve Hamling and Santander Bank Newton Abbot who raised 179.54 to help the animals in our care at Christmas. Steve raised half of the funds by holding a Choose the name of the Teddy Competition in the branch, and the Santander Foundation matched his donation as part of their Staff Matched Donation Scheme. Thank you so much to everyone who took part, we are so grateful for your support. Alice s sponsored silence 11 year old Alice Dunn was inspired to help the rabbits and guinea pigs at the Rescue Centre by raising money for the Rabbit and Guinea Pig Enrichment Garden. Alice held a sponsored silence for a whole day in August, and she raised an amazing 128 to help us create our special garden for the bunnies and piggies in our care. Thank you Alice for your devotion to the animals and your incredible donation. 24 ANIMALS IN DISTRESS MAGAZINE SPRING 2017
Mollie, Tegan and Chloe In September Mollie Piotrowski, Tegan Lewis and Chloe Jackson decided to raise money for the animals by making cakes and cards which they sold at their school. They raised an incredible 70 for the animals at the Rescue Centre. Thank you so much to Mollie, Tegan and Chloe, from everyone at Animals in Distress. Clifford Arms Shaldon Mike, Linda and Victoria Balster who run the Clifford Arms in Shaldon have been supporters of Animals in Distress for many years, and this Christmas they raised an amazing 350 for the animals at the Rescue Centre. Linda explains: For many years now we have been selling Bonio biscuits for 20p each to dogs visiting our pub, The Clifford Arms in Shaldon, and it is surprising how all the 20p's add up, usually amounting to a few hundred pounds per quarter. When most pubs run Christmas raffles for wine and chocolates, we decided this year to do something totally different. While walking through one of the garden centres, I spied a "Bonio wreath", and so we decided that we would have a raffle for the dogs. I was quite surprised as to how many people bought tickets - some didn't even own a dog, but wanted to give money to the Animals in Distress. One lady who was "dogless" said that if she won it she would go round the village and be the "Pied Piper" handing out a Bonio to every dog she met. Other dogless people said that if they won, they would like the wreath to be auctioned to raise even more money. Christmas day came and we drew out the lucky ticket which was won by a pub regular, a black Labrador called "Buster" who loves Bonios he was really excited! Obviously there were a lot of very disappointed little faces who had been intensely waiting for their number to be called, so all nonwinners were given a consolation prize of a Bonio from the jar! When we started the raffle, we hoped to reach 100, but we were overjoyed and proud to be handing over a cheque for 350 to Animals in Distress. Something which started as a bit of a laugh proved to be a real money maker and all customers, dogs and ourselves, had a really fun Christmas day. Thank you so much to everyone and all the dogs at the Clifford Arms who took part and of course to Mike, Linda and Victoria your donation will make a massive difference to the animals in our care. ANIMALS IN DISTRESS MAGAZINE SPRING 2017 25
Marks and Spencer Dartmouth A huge thank you to all the staff and customers of the Marks and Spencer store in Dartmouth, who named Animals in Distress their Charity of the Year last year. They raised a massive 693 to help the animals at the Rescue Centre. Thank you on behalf of everyone at Animals in Distress and all the animals. Harberton Village Dog Show In August we were at the lovely Harberton Village Dog Show, which is always a fantastic day out, and we had a wonderful time. The show is organised by the Harberton Cricket Club and the Harberton Playing Fields Association, and they very generously gave a donation of 150 to Animals in Distress from the takings on the day. Thank you so much to everyone involved in the dog show, for your generosity. Silverton Vets At Christmas Cath Meakin and the staff at Silverton vets in Paignton raffled some lovely hampers, to raise funds for the animals at the Rescue Centre. They raised a grand total of 302. Thank you so much to Cath, all the staff and customers of Silverton Vets your donation has made a big difference to the dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs in our care. Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram If you are online, please come and join our growing community on social media. There you will find daily updates on the animals, heart-warming rehoming stories, information about events, appeals for help for the animals, and more. Facebook @AnimalsinDistressIpplepen Twitter @AIDIPPLEPEN Instagram @animalsindistress Quarry HouseVets Small animal and Exotics are pleased to be this Charity s appointed Veterinary Practice X-ray - Ultrasound - ECG - Large Nursing Team - Pet Passports Nurse Clinics - Hospitalisation Facilities Blood Pressure Monitoring - In house Laboratory & much, much more. Visit our website at: www.quarryhouse-vets.co.uk We stock a large range of Hill s and Royal Canin Diets 24 hour emergency cover 07967 103178 26 ANIMALS IN DISTRESS MAGAZINE SPRING 2017