RSPCA Chesterfield & North Derbyshire Branch

RSPCA News

1. Could Kai weave his way into your heart?

   Rescue dog in need of new home is flourishing at agility

   

   
   
   03.02.12

   An RSPCA rescue dog who is learning agility to relieve the boredom of an eight-month spell in kennels is hoping his new found skills will help him weave his way into someone's heart.
   
   Kai is a two-year-old American bulldog cross-breed and has taken to agility like a duck to water.
    
   He is completing the weaves and jumps with ease at our Gonsal Farm Animal Centre in Dorrington, Shropshire.
   
   And despite only having a few lessons, Kai is said to have great potential.
   
    

    

   Watch Kai practising  the weaves:

   
   Kai 'has such a desire to please and learn'

   Anthony Turner works at Gonsal Farm, as well as being a dog trainer with School For Paws - a Victoria Stilwell Positively approved dog training establishment based in Shropshire.
   
   He said:

   Kai has a lovely, friendly nature and loves nothing more than to play.
   
   He really enjoys human company and has such a desire to please and learn, so I thought I would give him some agility training.
   
   He has taken to it so well that we hope any new owner might continue taking him to classes as he really is a natural.

   
   Kai a hit with TV dog trainer Victoria Stilwell!

   

   And Kai definitely impressed TV dog trainer Victoria Stilwell who visited our Gonsal Farm Animal Centre just before Christmas.
   
   Following her visit, Victoria spoke very highly about the staff at Gonsal Farm and the fantastic work they do in rehabilitating animals so that they're ready for rehoming.

   
   So why is he being overlooked?

   Anthony continued:

   "Kai has been in kennels since June 2011 and we have no idea why he is still with us.
   
   "He is only young and obviously is a lively lad, but he gets on with other dogs and can be rehomed to a family with older children.
   
   "We are hoping someone will see Kai basking in the limelight at his agility classes and offer him a 'forever' home."

    

   Are you Kai's perfect match?

   If you think you're a perfect match for Kai and can offer him a loving new home and continue the agility training that he loves so much, please contact:
   
   RSPCA Gonsal Farm Animal Centre

   Telephone: 0300 123 0753

   Email: gonsalfarm@rspca.org.uk
   
   You can find out more about adopting an RSPCA rescue animal in our rehoming and adoption pages.
    

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   Related news article

   Victoria Stilwell sings the praises of Gonsal Farm - 02.01.12

    

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2. Nine domestic birds of prey found struggling to survive

   Birds thought to have been abandoned

   

    

   03.02.12 

   Our Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Cheshire is caring for nine birds of prey which have been bred and raised as pets and then thought to have been dumped.
   
   The birds were each taken to the wildlife centre near Nantwich after being found individually in an injured, sick or lethargic condition.
    

   

   The nine birds include: 

   • three barn owls
   • two Harris hawks
   • two buzzards
   • a lanner falcon
   • and an eagle owl.

   They have all been bred as domestic pets and either been abandoned by their owners or escaped.
   
   This means they cannot be released back into the wild. Had they not been rescued, it's very likely they would have died.
   
   The birds have very specialist needs which makes finding suitable new homes very difficult.

   
   Birds so lucky to have been rescued

   Lee Stewart, centre manager, said:

   All the birds were struggling to survive.
   
   One of the buzzards had lost all balance and kept falling on its face.
   
   One of the barn owls had flown straight into a car.
   
   And the eagle owl was discovered in the middle of a path with its wing hanging down.

   
   Keeping birds of prey as pets 

   

   We are urging people to do their research before taking on these types of birds as pets.
   
   All too often animals end up abandoned when people realise the care required is more than they can manage.
   
   Animals that have been bred in captivity can struggle to adapt if they suddenly find themselves having to fend for themselves in the wild.
   
   Birds of prey can have a large wing span and flying is a fundamental natural behaviour. So aviaries should be built with enough space for the bird in its adult size to fly.
    

   

   They also need: 

   • free flying time out of the enclosure
   • suitable food
   • to be taken to a specialist avian vet.

   
   Legally, they can only be kept as pets if they are captive-bred. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is an offence to take any wild bird and put it into captivity.
   
   Some birds of prey also need to be registered if kept in captivity.
   
   And we recommend that anyone owning a bird of prey get their bird ringed so that should the bird escape, it can be traced back to the owner.

   
   Taking on any animal is a lifetime commitment

   Sophie Adwick, RSPCA exotics and trade officer, said:

   It is vital that anyone taking on an animal thinks very carefully about whether they will be able to care for the animal properly for all of its life.
   
   Too many people buy on a whim without really doing any research into what the animal eats, how big it will grow, and how difficult it might be to keep it in a home.
   
   This can lead to a raft of welfare problems, as well as abandonments.

    

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   Exotic pets - what to consider

   When unusual animals, like birds of prey, are kept as pets they are known as exotics or non-domestic animals.
   
   Get more advice about meeting the needs of exotic pets.
    

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3. Snow and ice not twice as nice for animals
   

   02.02.11

   With temperatures set to remain low this weekend, we're urging people to help care for pets and wildlife.

   
   With snow predicted for some parts of the country we're urging the public to do their bit to help keep animals of all kinds happy and healthy. RSPCA Inspector Tony Woodley said: 
    

   Winter weather can spell trouble for some animals as they struggle to cope with the conditions as much as we do.
   
   We can all take simple steps to help animals at this time however our inspectors are on-call around the clock so they can help if the worst should happen.

   
   Our tips on how to help animals in the cold weather:

   Pets

   • Dogs with thin or sparse coats may benefit from a coat when being exercised outdoors. Two or three shorter walks may be a better option to avoid being out in the cold for a long period of time.
     
     It's also important to keep dogs away from lakes or ponds which may have iced over to prevent them from falling in.
      
   • Horses and ponies will also need constant access to shelter and water as well as extra food and blankets if necessary.
      
   • Cats should not be shut out of the house for long periods of time and must always be able to find suitable warmth and shelter.
      
   • Pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs may need extra shelter away from the weather and could need moving inside into a shed or garage.

   Farm animals

   • Farm animals will need access to drinking water at all times and possibly extra food during the colder weather.
     
     If it's not possible to bring animals inside, it's important to be extra vigilant to ensure they are not suffering in snow or ice and that they stay away from frozen water which could be a hazard to them.

   Wildlife

   • Birds may have difficulty finding natural foods such as berries, insects, seeds, worms and fruit. Any alternative food you put out during these cold months will help such as crumbled bread, stale cake and biscuits, cheese and cooked rice.
      
   • Badgers do not hibernate but they do sleep through much of the severe weather. However, when the ground is frozen they have a tough time finding food. Nibbles such as lightly cooked meats, cheese, unsalted and unsweetened peanuts and fruit will be welcomed.
      
   • Squirrels enjoy unsweetened and unsalted nuts including hazelnuts, walnuts, and almonds as well as chopped apple, carrots, spinach or green beans.
      
   • Hedgehogs hibernate between November and mid to late March so you can help by raking up the leaves in your garden and providing them with nests to rest in.

    

   Helping animals in small ways can make a big difference

   RSPCA wildlife scientist Sophie Adwick said:

   Winter can be hard for animals, particuarly wildlife, and every year the RSPCA rescues lots of animals which are dehydrated, hungry and cold.
   
   Food and water can be scarce at this time of year anyhow and ground frosts make finding food even more difficult.
   
   There may be many animals out there in need of our help and the more we can do to help them through this chilly period the better. The small things can make all the difference.

    

   
   If you see an animal in distress, call our 24-hour cruelty line on: 0300 1234 999.

   
   More seasonal advice

   For more information on the small things you can do to help visit our seasonal winter advice page.

   

   
4. Assisting exhausted buck in a fight for his life
   

   01.02.12

   We came to the rescue of an exhausted fallow deer that was fighting for his life after becoming tangled in electric fence tape in Worcestershire.
   
   The stunning animal was found thrashing about in a field last week in Dunley, Stourport-on-Severn.

   
   Bid for freedom leaves deer exhausted

   

   The buck's will to survive was so strong that he had used all his physical strength in a bid for freedom.

   
   But instead the deer became further entangled and faced dying from exhaustion or being strangled by the tape.

   
   Our animal welfare officer, Steve Davies, attended but the situation was too dangerous to attempt a rescue single-handedly.

    

   Fast teamwork saves deer

   Vital back up came in the form of Bob Lawrence, director of wildlife at West Midlands Safari Park. Once the deer was sedated the pair worked fast to cut the tape which was attached to a fence post.

   
   It was a wonderful moment to discover the buck wasn't injured. Had he not been found he would have suffered a very slow and agonising death.

   
   Animal welfare officer, Steve said:

   There couldn't have been a better outcome to this rescue. But on arrival I thought it really could have gone either way.
   
   The deer was huffing and puffing due to physical exhaustion but the tape was so tightly wrapped around his antlers and more worryingly his neck.

    

   Believed to be around six years old, the deer was later released to a secure location with other wild deer.

    

   Our rescues

   Every year we receive hundreds of thousands of calls about animals in need of rescue. Take a look at some of the predicaments we've rescued animals from recently.

   
   If you witness an animal in distress call our national cruelty line on: 0300 1234 999.
    

   

   
5. Duck entangled in litter evades capture

   Frustration as mallard duck is caused unnecessary distress

   

   
   31.01.12

   Thank you to the many people in Worcester who have reported their concerns about a female mallard duck who has a plastic can holder stuck in her mouth and around the back of her neck.
   
   Despite attempts by RSPCA officers and local swan rescue to capture the distressed bird, she has so far evaded capture as she is still mobile and able to fly.
   
   We are continuing our attempts to try to catch the duck and are planning a boat rescue this week, but there is no guarantee of success.
    

   

   The duck is often seen on the river near Worcester City Football Club, St George's Lane.
   
   The first reported call came in over a week ago on Thursday, 19 January.
    

   
   'It is likely she will be having great difficulty in feeding'

   RSPCA Chief Inspector Lee Hopgood who has been involved with the rescue attempts so far said:

   We are concerned for the welfare of this duck, but from experience we know how difficult she is going to be to catch.
   
   She is very wary of humans and the more attempts are made to catch her, the more wary she becomes.
   
   It looks like she can still drink, but it is likely she will be having great difficulty in feeding.
   
   Sadly it may not be until she starts to deteriorate in condition and strength before we have any real chance of catching her.

    

   Litter can be lethal for animals and yet is entirely preventable

   We are extremely frustrated that an act of sheer laziness has resulted in this mallard duck’s unnecessary suffering.
   
   Lee continued:

   The most frustrating thing about this whole situation and other similar incidents we have dealt with in the past is that this bird's suffering was entirely preventable.
   
   This poor duck is in this distressing position because someone couldn't be bothered to put their litter in a bin.
   
   A casually dropped piece of litter can have devastating consequences for our wildlife.
   
   We are so fortunate in this country to have so many fascinating species of birds and other wild animals that live in our parks and countryside.
   
   It is a well known pastime for families to take children to feed the ducks and birds in parks, and yet people are so thoughtless and careless about dropping litter which can injure, kill and maim wildlife.
   
   I hope people will learn from this incident and dispose of their rubbish properly.

    

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   Litter costs lives

   Did you know?

   • We receive over 7,000 calls each year about litter-related incidents.
      
   • We regularly rescue all kinds of animals trapped or injured by litter.

   
   

   

   How you can help 

   Little things such as cutting the loops of plastic can holders before putting into a rubbish or recycling bin can help to prevent incidents like this and save an animal's life.
   
   Find out more ways you can help in our advice page - litter costs lives.
    

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