Beast wishes for New Year

4th January 2007

A lost pig found wandering alone in a North Derbyshire field is looking for a home.

Nancy, a six-month-old British white pig, has been at the RSPCA in Chesterfield for a month and supervisors are keen to find her a permanent home in the New Year.

Richard Woodwards of Chesterfield RSPCA said: "She's more of a domestic rather than a farm animal. If you've got the land, she'd make a good pet and if you're open-minded pigs can be trained to live in houses.

"Pigs are as intelligent as dogs and Nancy is gorgeous - she loves her hugs and cuddles."

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Two gerbils have become the first Christmas casualties to be abandoned outside a Chesterfield animal centre.

Supervisor Jane Barden found the one-year-old male rodents - now named Ginger and Spice - in a cage wrapped and tied up in a black sack at the top of the centre's drive on Spital Lane, Chesterfield, on Boxing Day.

Gary Taylor of Chesterfield RSPCA said: "If people don't want their pets, don't just abandon them - anyone could have found them and done anything to them. Give us a call and we'll do our best to find space for them."

He added: "Gerbils make fantastic pets and these are a friendly pair."

• Ginger and Spice the gerbils who were abandoned and Nancy the pig are pictured with animal care assistant Linda Malloy

**Since this article was published Ginger, Spice & Nancy have found loving homes**

Pet dog is top of the pups!

7th December 2006

A former unwanted dog who was adopted from the RSPCA Chesterfield branch has shot to stardom - on the front cover of a top dance act's latest album.

A picture of Fern, a ten year old black Labrador-whippet cross breed, has been used on the CD cover of Basement Jaxx's Crazy Itch Radio record.

Her owner, Chris Graham (33), was asked by an art director friend - who had been commissioned by the dance duo's management to produce the cover - if fern could take part in a photoshoot and the image be used on the album.

Fern now appears on billboards and in record shops around the world.

Chris, from Hornscroft Road, Bolsover, said: "The photographer thought she was a professional model and said she was the best dog he had worked with!"

"We were so proud of her and happy we had chosen Fern form the RSPCA instead of opting for a puppy."

Chris and his partner Chantel Metcalf (29), got Fern from the RSPCA at Spital three years ago. She was brought to the animal centre by an owner who could no longer look after her.

Chris said: "She was a sad-looking, skinny little dog who sat quietly in her cage. But now she likes to run around and play and we've has to put her on a diet she's been eating so much!"

Festive cheer as Christmas donations help animals in need

19th December 2006

The RSPCA Chesterfield & North Derbyshire branch would like to thank everyone who left donations of pet food, toys, bedding and money over the Christmas period.

All the staff and especially the animals appreciated your kind thoughts over the festive season.

We would also like to thank every who supported the animal centre in 2006, your support is vital to our work and we could not keep our doors open without you.

• Pictured are Brothers of the Third Wheel who gave the centre a cash donation and left lots of pet food over Christmas
  
  

All they want for Christmas is a home...

30th November 2006

A litter of kittens, born with extra toes, is looking for a home before Christmas.

The seven-week old babes - Misty, Cindy and Dusty - are currently being looked after by RSPCA fosterer Gina Smith. Though cats normally 16 toes, Misty is endowed with 26 and Cindy and Dusty both have 24 each.

Their mother gave birth to the kittens within 24 hours of being brought to the RSPCA centre on Spital Lane, Chesterfield.

Richard Woodwards of Chesterfield RSPCA said: "We've seen cats with extra toes before but not as many as this! They are nice friendly kittens and would make good family pets."

**Since this article was published all 3 kittens have found new and loving homes**

A special day for some very special people

15th September 2006

When you work for an animal rescue charity, you come across some really remarkable people. However the story of Paul and Bex is one that really leaves a lump in our throats.

The one day that you should be entitled to being selfish and self indulgent is surely on your wedding day. You should enjoy being the centre of attention with loads of praise admiration and of course loads of presents.

However for Bex and Paul this was the furthest thing from their mind as these are possibly the most unselfish people that you would ever want to meet.

Paul and Bex had approached us a couple of months ago with the idea of having a large RSPCA dog collection box at their wedding as they wanted donations to their local animal centre rather than wedding gifts.

This rather unusual step was agreed by the centre and the large plastic RSPCA dog (collection box) was picked up in plenty of time before the big day.

As wedding day approached the dog was not left out of the preparations and received a fresh coat of paint as well as being dressed for the occasion with a pink vale tiara and a large pink flower.

Wedding day arrived and as far as we can understand the couple had a very romantic enjoyable day followed by a romantic honeymoon in France. On their return the newly weds came down to the centre where they were received by the centre manager Richard Woodwards who gave them a behind the scenes tour of the animal centre. This was so that they could see the kind of things that their money would be spent on and the lives that they would be helping to enrich and preserve.

Whilst the tour was taking place the money from the wedding celebrations was being counted and the final grand total was the unbelievable amount of £1,360.

The centre would like to thank Bexs and Paul and all their generous relatives and friends for this fantastic contribution that will make such a difference to animal welfare. Its unselfish actions like these that are very humbling to us all and that make the world a better place for animals and humans to live in.