RSPCA plea to Derbyshire cat lovers

30th June 2010

The RSPCA is on the look out for animal fosterers to cope with growing numbers of cats.

The Chesterfield branch of the charity has found itself with a high volume of feline friends and is appealing for the public's help to cope with the numbers.

The fosterers would be needed to take care for cats in a range of conditions.

Cats may be injured, sick, in need of cage rest, in need of socialising or they could be pregnant or nursing mothers with very young kittens or cats.

Fosterers are also needed for kittens that may need bottle feeding and litters that are not ready for adoption.

Anyone interested in becoming a cat fosterer for the RSPCA Chesterfield & North Derbyshire branch should contact the animal centre on 01246 273358.

Diesel backs RSPCA week

22nd April 2010

Diesel the English Bull Terrier is hoping next week's national RSPCA week will help him find a new home.
From April 26 to May 2 staff at the Chesterfield branch will be raising awareness of the charity to help animals like Diesel.

The two-year-old was brought into the centre in February suffering with severe mange and staff have worked hard to get him fit and healthy.

Unusually he is the second English Bull Terrier being cared for by Chesterfield staff at the moment, joining three-year-old Max who also had mange.

To mark RSPCA week Chesterfield staff will be at the new Tesco collecting donations and food supplies and catering staff at Chesterfield College have organised a fundraising dinner.

Chesterfield centre manager Richard Woodwards said: "For us as a local branch RSPCA week is really important because we don't get funds from HQ so we rely on weeks like this.

"We urge people to come and see us at Tesco or come down to the centre even if it is just to have a chat, walk round and buy a can of coke."

Anyone who is interested in adopting Diesel or Max should contact the centre on 01246 273358.

• English Bull Terrier Diesel with Chesterfield RSPCA's Bev Williamson

You can't be kidding!

1st April 2010

RSPCA Staff got a shock when an ageing goat gave birth to twins - after a scan shown no sign of the kids.

Ten-year-old Bev delivered Adam and Daniel last week, just a fortnight after she had been examined and scanned by a vet.

Chesterfield RSPCA's Richard Woodwards said: "She was quite big but all they could see was fluid.

"We were gobsmacked. A member of staff came running in and said you better come and look at this - we've got more goats in our stable.

"It was a nice surprise but it makes re-homing then more difficult."

Bev and her daughter Dee (7 years old) were brought to the RSPCA in February because their owners were moving. Dee gave birth to twins Romeo and Juliet just over a week later - but their arrival had been anticipated by site staff.

Now the RSPCA is looking to re-home the family with experienced hands.

Richard said:"They're all lovely natured and the baby ones are very cute."

• Mum Bev with new Kids on the Block Adam and Daniel, and RSPCA volunteer Emma Rybka

Free neutering to cut cat influx

17th February 2010

Animal centre bosses are launching a free cat neutering scheme in an effort to reduce the huge number of stray and pregnant cats being brought in.

Chesterfield's RSPCA centre manager Richard Woodwards said that last year was the worst he had ever known for the number of unidentified stray cats coming in to the Spital Lane centre, as the effects of the credit crunch hit pet owners.

To help combat the problem at its root, the animal charity is now offering free neutering for both male and female cats to anybody who receives state benefits.

Richard said: "We have got a massive problem with stray cats in the Chesterfield area in general and are trying to tackle it in a few ways.

"We had a microchipping campaign at the end of last year and on the back of that we have teamed up with our headquarters who have allowed us to have some vouchers which allow people on benefits to get their cats neutered for nothing."

The free neutering vouchers are available to any resident who comes down to the centre with proof that they receive benefits and the procedures will be carried out at Peak Veterinary in Matlock.

Microchipping

The vouchers will also entitle them to discounted microchipping – at £6.99 – and four week's free pet insurance from Petplan.

Anyone who is interested in having their cat neutered as part of the voucher scheme should visit the centre, call it on (01246) 273358

• Launch: Bev Williamson with four-year-old Socks promote the free neutering service for cats.