What is the Safe Haven scheme?
Our autumn fair in 2002 saw the launch of our Safe Haven scheme. It is designed to enable individuals, families and friends to sponsor animal accommodation at the centre. Our Safe Haven scheme is vital to the survival of the animal centre and is making such a significant difference to helping animals in their hour of need.
How can I join the scheme?
The scheme is flexible and easy to join. Just fill out the secure online form with your details, choose the kind of animal accommodation you wish to sponsor and decide if the membership is for you or if you would like it as a gift for someone. We will then post you a standing order form which you will just need to complete, sign and return in the stamped addressed envelope. Alternatively, if you would rather print off a form yourself and return it to the animal centre, please click here.
Where is my donation spent?
Your regular donation goes directly to helping the animals in the care of the RSPCA Chesterfield & North Derbyshire branch. All sponsors are assigned a cat pen, dog kennel or rabbit hutch depending on your individual preference.
We will reward your kindness by:
Displaying your name in our Roll of Honour book which is in the foyer at our animal centre and reproduced on our website
Sending you a twice yearly Safe Haven supporters' newsletter
Giving you a Safe Haven car sticker
Giving you a Safe Haven certificate
Inviting you to open days
Xena's Story
Xena, a young female Rottweiler, came into our care with her male companion due to a change in her family's circumstances. Six weeks later, Xena surprised us all by giving birth to 11 puppies. The birth was not without complications, the first pup was resuscitated and another pup sadly died.
Over the next few days two of the pups stopped feeding and were very vunerable so a decision was made to place them both in foster homes. During the next few months we rehomed the pups with some fantastic families. Xena did not prove as easy to rehome and became one of our long stay residents.
Xena suffered some rare complications following her routine neutering operation. She needed emergency treatment for kidney problems and had a lengthy recovery period. Further complications developed when the internal stitches from her spay wound began to break down and needed further surgery.
Thankfully the operation was a success and Xena has since fully recovered. Stories like this illustrate the amount of care and attention that some of the animals can need. The final vet bill for this one dog alone was in the region of £1000. This is why the Safe Haven Scheme is so important to us at the centre.
