Homes wanted for furry friends

21st February 2008

Animal welfare bosses have launched an urgent appeal after dozens of abandoned and homeless guinea pigs were brought to a re-homing centre.

Chesterfield RSPCA animal centre, at Spital, has 28 guinea pigs - some of which are pregnant - and is struggling to cope.

Manager Richard Woodwards said: "We are overrun and we need help desperately. We are struggling with the volume."

Among those looking for new homes are seven which were found abandoned in a car park at Shillito Wood, off Fox Road, Holmesfield, and ten brought in after their owner died.

**Thank you to everyone who gave one of our guinea pigs a home, we have since successfully re-homed most of these guinea pigs which featured in this story**

Local vets strut their stuff

19th January 2008

We were delighted to hear from Jenny Lomas recently, the senior vet nurse from Vets4Pets on St. Johns Road, Chesterfield. Jenny and some of her colleagues had decided to arrange a sponsored dog walk on our behalf around Holmebrook Valley Park.

The walk was to be around three miles and was to raise valuable funds for our animal centre on Spital lane. The weather stayed reasonable on the big day and all the participants both canine and human had a very enjoyable time. The end result was that there were some tired feet and paws but the grand total raised was £598.16.

We would like to thank Vets4Pets, Jenny Lomas and all the other participants for all their efforts. Without support such as this our centre would be unable to operate and animal welfare in our area would be greatly compromised. Vets4Pets are thinking about this venture being a annual event which is great news.

• Pictured from left to right Jenny Lomas (Head nurse and event organiser), Charlotte Deane (RSPCA) and Jackie Priestley (Veterinary Surgeon)
  

Kittens were dumped

10th January 2008

Animal welfare inspectors have launched an investigation after two kittens were left to die in a cardboard box.

The pair were found in woods near Shirebrook and are now being cared for by staff at the RSPCA Chesterfield animal centre.

Insp Vicky Taylor said: "If the kittens hadn't been found they could quite easily have died, especially given the cold weather.

"People need to realise they have a responsibility towards animals and it's illegal and deplorable to abandon them."

The kittens, which are about eight weeks old and could be brother and sister - have been named Winnie & Ashley by RSPCA staff.

RSPCA officers are appealing for anyone with information about the kittens - abandoned just before Christmas - to call them on 0300 1234 999.

They also warned that anyone found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to animals faces a six month prison sentence and £20,000 fine.

Unhappy Christmas for Eve

17th December 2007

The RSPCA is appealing for information after a six-week-old puppy was found dumped behind a supermarket in Dronfield, Derbyshire yesterday (Sunday 16 December).

The chocolate and tan terrier-type dog was found wrapped in a towel and left behind bins at the rear of the Co-op supermarket in Snape Hill Lane at about 6.30pm.  She was shivering and very thin and was hardly breathing when a member of the public discovered her.

The RSPCA was called and Chief inspector Steve Ford collected the tiny puppy.  She was taken to a nearby vet where she was found to be suffering from hypothermia.  When the dog had been treated, she was taken to the RSPCA Chesterfield Animal Centre on Spital Lane, Chesterfield, where staff named her Eve.

The discovery of the young dog was made just as the RSPCA announced that more than 50 cats and dogs a day are becoming unwanted in December throughout the country.  The Chesterfield Animal Centre is itself full with dogs, cats and small animals and has been receiving calls from owners wanting to give their pets up before Christmas.

Julie Ward, manager of the Chesterfield branch of the RSPCA, said:  “We have started to hear from owners who can no longer care for, or no longer want their pets.  Sadly this is a common problem at this time of year and, although some may be genuine calls for help, there are still too many people who just don’t want their animals any more. 

“We are appealing to people to think seriously before getting a pet, rather than assuming they can get rid of the animal when they tire of caring for it.  However, we urge anyone who genuinely cannot cope with the care of their pet to contact us rather than abandoning it.”

Chief inspector Ford said:  “Eve was very poorly and would have died had she not been found.  There is no excuse for leaving an animal to suffer in this way.”

Eve will go to live with fosterers over the festive period to help her socialise in a home environment.

Anyone found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal could face a maximum six-month prison sentence and/or a £20,000 fine.

Those with information about where Eve may have come from is asked to contact the RSPCA in confidence on 0300 1234 999.

Golf clubs big charity swing

1st December 2007

A massive thank you to all the members and staff of Grassmoor golf club who made us their joint charity of the year in 2007 along with Ashgate Hospice.

I would like to give a special mention to the gentleman’s captain for 2007 Alan Powell and his lovely wife Eleanor.

Alan and Eleanor had adopted from Chesterfield RSPCA a few years ago and this had influenced their decision to put us forward as the charity they would support in Allan’s year as captain.

Alan worked in conjunction with the other members to put on various events and ventures that would generate desperately needed funds for us as well as Ashgate Hospice.

I was invited with my fiancée Nikki Lawrence to the Christmas dinner dance and cheque presentation at the Winding Wheel on Saturday 1st December 2007 and we had a very enjoyable evening.  The venue was fantastic as was the food and all representatives of the golf club and their guests were very hospitable.

The cheque for £1040 was gratefully received and will go a long way to keeping our doors open and enable us to help the abused neglected and needy animals in the North Derbyshire area.

Once again a massive thank you from all the staff and the animals at Chesterfield RSPCA

• Alan Powell (left) presenting the cheque to animal centre manager Richard Woodwards