Spring 2015 - Bath Cats and Dogs Home

Registered Charity No. 2055943
Newsletter
Spring 2015
One of our dogs,
Taz, playing ball.
One Rescue Dog’s Story
We follow Tramp on his busy first couple
of weeks with us at the Home.
Page 6
page
Meet some of our animals
looking for a home
page
Could you save your pet’s
life in an emergency?
4
10
RESCUING AND RE-HOMING ANIMALS SINCE 1937
2
2014 Round Up
Contents
Page 3
2014 round up
Pages 4-5
Looking for a home
Pages 6-7
One rescue dog’s story
Page 8
Long-stay animals find
their forever homes
Page 9
Photos of your
adopted animals
Pages 10
First aid for pets – could
you save your pet’s life in
an emergency?
Published by Bamboo House Publishing Ltd, Bath.
www.bamboohouse.co.uk
3
Welcome to our spring newsletter.
We love to keep you up to date with our animal news, and all
those that we, thanks to you, are able to care for. This issue we
have an extra page of adoption updates featuring some of our
long-stay animals, see pages 8 and 9. And if you have room to
adopt, then take a look at those looking for a home on pages
4 and 5. This includes our cover star Taz, a patterdale x who
loves his playtimes.
We follow one dog’s story from being abandoned to finding his
feet here at the Home – will he find someone to love him? Find
out more on page 6.
Spring brings lots of hope and a fresh outlook to the year, but
it is important to take a step back and look at the past too to
really get things into perspective. We have some facts and
figures from 2014 for you on page 3 and you can see what
we have achieved in one year – and we couldn’t have done it
without your support.
1171 animals found a new home
This included 136 baby animals (6 months and
under) like Bella and Bailey. And it included 47
dogs over the age of 8, like Boston.
Bailey
Bella
Boston
We met 66 lap dogs
That’s an 83% increase from 2012! They were
mostly the fashionable crossbreeds such as
cockerpoo, cavachon and jug*.
Liz Oldroyd
Chair of the Trustees,
Bath Cats & Dogs Home
Get in
touch with us at:
Bath Cats and Dogs Home
Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AZ
01225 787321 enquiries@bcdh.org.uk
RCN: 205594 (RSPCA Bath & District Branch)
Garden for cats
We have just started building an enclosed cat
sensory garden just behind Hurle Cattery, with help
from the Support Adoption for Pets grant won last
year. It will include climbing posts, willow tunnels
and herbs, plus a sheltered seat for staff and cattery
care volunteers to socialise with them. Follow the
story in our News section online, and there will
be a bigger feature in our winter newsletter.
Brandy
139 animals came to us
because of cruelty or neglect
Oreo
Thank you – and with best wishes
Liz Oldroyd
Brandy was just
a puppy when
he came to us.
Odin
Mogwai
101 small animals were adopted
Brought in by RSPCA Inspectors, these
animals could tell us some terrible stories
but we always look to their future and happy
homes. Oreo had spent two years in a 1 x 2
foot cage, was malnourished and covered in
fleas but was an affectionate cat who loved
to explore. His health improved quickly and
he was adopted in September. We enjoyed
the odd pairing of great dane Odin and
affenpinscher Mogwai, adopted in September.
Dot
Including 33 rabbits, 24 guinea pigs and
18 ferrets. We also helped 6 tortoise
– we usually only see 1 a year.
Did
you know?
From April 2016 your dog
must be microchipped by
law, or face a fine of £500.
g for cats
We offer free microchippin
5 787321
22
01
ll
ca
and dogs. Please
to find out more.
Buddy
Patch & Snowy
212 stray animals were reunited with
their families
Microchipping your pet is still the best way for us to find
you when we get a stray animal in. You can microchip
dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets and even tortoise!
* Did you know them? That’s a cocker spaniel x poodle,
cavalier king charles spaniel x bichon frise and a jack russell x pug respectively.
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Looking for a home
Here are some of our animals looking to be adopted. Call or
pop in to find out more about them, or visit www.bcdh.org.uk
WAFFLES
Waffles is a lovely boy who will call for attention. He can
live with older children/teens. His number is BC27893
and he is in the Fuller Cattery.
ALFIE
Alfie is a typical collie – smart, active and independent. He
would like a country home and plenty to do. He is good
with dogs but would prefer to be the only pet. He can live
with older children. His reference number is BD27662,
please ask about him at reception.
MAX
Max is a happy lad who loves to give cuddles. he is very
gentle and playful. He likes to bat a tennis ball about with
his big paws. His reference number is BD27921 and you
can find him with his friend Jackson on A Block.
BEN & JERRY
MILLY
Milly is a friendly but independent girl, and sometimes
playful even at 12 years old. She needs a quiet home
without other pets. Her number is BC22518 and she is
in the Fuller Cattery.
These young boys are really sweet - they are a little shy
but gain confidence with you. They would like a lovely
area to call their own and plenty of attention. They can live
with children (handled under supervision). Their reference
numbers are BG27638 and BG27639, and you can find
them in the Small Animal room.
MULAN
PEBBLES & MR PABLO
This brother and sister love to cuddle up together and
would like a quiet home. Their reference numbers are
BC6172 and BC6175, they are in the Fuller Cattery.
TESS
Tess finds the company of other dogs very difficult, so
you can imagine how much she struggles here. But
look through this and you will find an affectionate and
funny girl who loves belly rubs, paddling in water and
afternoon kips. Tess can live with older or teenage
children. Her reference number is BD25328, please ask
about her at reception.
Mulan is a young Netherland Dwarf rabbit who is shy but
sweet, and would be suitable for first-time owners. She
can live with other rabbits, and with children (handled
under supervision). Her reference number is BR27241,
please ask about her at reception.
Update on
the animals
featured in the
Winter issue:
Found a home: Patch &
Snowy, Remus, Luna, Maisie,
Uggi, Pansy & Tim, Zep.
Still waiting: Harry the ferret
We are sad to say that Goldilocks the rabbit died despite
emergency care due to gut stasis – a common rabbit
problem. Her best friend Rapunzel is still looking for a
home but has a new friend - Mulan.
Sponsored by
www.doggeddesign.co.uk
Tel: 0117 967 8602
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One rescue
dog’s story
We follow Tramp on his
busy first couple of weeks
with us at the Home.
DAY ONE
We get a call from one of the Dog Wardens
saying that he had a dog to bring in.
Sometimes we get three or four in a day.
He looks a bit like the cheeky stray dog
from the film Lady and the Tramp, so we
call him Tramp.
We check for a microchip
using a scanner but there
isn’t one, and then take
him over to a kennel
whilst the warden relays
his notes to us.
WEEK TWO
By law
Did you knownd? do
gs to
you must report fou
ok in our
your Dog Warden. Lo
a guide on
for
line
on
on
cti
se
FAQ
d a stray dog.
what to do if you fin
It turns out he was seen by a member of the
public on his way to work, tied to a
lamppost. Thinking his owner had probably
just popped away he didn’t think anything of
it until he saw the dog in the same place
when on his way home 9 hours later. He had
to cut him free from a rope holding him there.
After asking around the streets nearby he did
the correct thing and called the Dog Warden.
A kennel is already set up with a bed,
blankets and toys. The carer gives the kennel
a spray of DAP – a relaxing pheromone spray
– and gives Tramp a collar with a training line
on. This means she can manoeuvre him in
and out of kennels without manhandling him,
reducing stress and keeping herself safe.
His new carer prepares a simple dinner that
is easy to digest – starting tonight with a
tin of Chappie.
WEEK ONE
This week is for settling in
and having a routine. Even
though it seems obvious
that he was abandoned,
technically Tramp is a stray dog so
we have to wait in case an owner turns
up for him. After 7 days he is signed over
to us and we can now start preparing him
for a new home.
Tramp has a health check at our vet centre,
and given flea and worm treatment as
well as his first set of vaccinations. He is
aged at around
8 months old.
He is obviously
underweight, so
is moved onto a
puppy food which
has lots of calories
and protein in for
a growing boy.
Tramp starts his assessment. This is a set
of basic tests to see how he will cope in
everyday life and being handled. We look at
his reaction to being groomed, playing with
toys and meeting strangers and other
dogs. He passes his handling tests with
flying colours – he is very gentle and
responsive and we find that he knows a
few of his basic commands such as sit and
down and a very cute ‘give paw’.
The behaviourist for the block has
concerns about his reactions to dogs
in kennels and on the lead
which have been very vocal
and energetic. They get him
to meet a stuffed toy dog
(nicknamed Paxo) and Tramp
gives a playful bounce to
ask him to play!
He is taken for a mix with one
of our working behaviour dogs, under
strict observation. Although once off lead
it seems that all Tramp wants to do is leap
and play! We can only guess, but it seems
that Tramp has had no training for walking
on the lead, and perhaps little chance to run
off lead with dogs, and is very frustrated.
Being young, he has a lot of energy and
excitement that needs burning off and
channelling through training and guidance.
Now that we know a little more about
him, he is moved to a more public kennel
block – F Block.
Tramp’s socialisation with other
dogs continues and his carer and
behaviourist start some basic lead
walking training with him – and are
very impressed with how smart he is.
He is neutered, with a follow-up
check up to make sure that he is
healing well.
So will Tramp find a new home? We will conclude his story online
www.bcdh.org.uk and on our Facebook page facebook.com/BathCDH.
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‘Long stays’ adopted
A ‘long stay’ animal is one who has been with us over 6 months.
Some animals need a bit more time to settle or complete their
rehabilitation with the behaviour team. Some just get
overlooked or need a very specific home.
Recently we have had a lot of success
in finding homes for some of our
long stays – you may recognise some
familiar faces below who are now in
their forever homes.
There is no time limit to an animal’s stay with
us, as long as they are healthy and happy.
Several schemes are run by the behaviour
and carer teams to ensure the animals get all
the attention and home comforts that they
can under the circumstances. The re-homing
and communications team also work to
highlight them with potential adopters. One
particular scheme is the Companion Dogs
scheme – where dogs who find outside
life very stressful are found homes where
their owner is their whole world. Larry is
a recent success here, he had been with
us for 3 years.
Your adoption stories
We thought we’d share some of the lovely photos we get sent
from adopters of our animals settled in their new homes.
Fifi adopted in 2013
‘As you can see a year
on, she is very happy and
relaxed! We are so glad we
BELLE found her, she is perfect
for our family!’
Monty
adopted October
‘He has settled in brilliantly,
enjoys playing ball.’
Fifi
Monty
Harry
Sasha
adopted December
‘She’s doing really well and
enjoyed the little bit of snow
the other morning. She has
completely taken oven the
sofa and the bed but the
cuddles are worth it.’
SHADOW
LARRY
BELLE
Harry
adopted January 2014
Sasha
Megan adopted in 2002
REMUS
ZEP
COURTNEY
‘He is the most gorgeous cat with
heaps of character. I lost a cat a
few months before I took Harry
on and said I would never get
another cat but I missed having
a feline friend so much I relented
and I’m so glad I did!’
3’ when we got
‘We’ve had a lovely life together. She was ‘about
to the beach
her so she is ‘about 16’ now! I now don’t walk
there. She
with her, I drive to the car park and walk from
“boyfriend”,
still loves her walks, loves food, and loves her
the light of
Sammy, a 10 year old Golden Retriever. She is
a strong
isn’t
py”
(“hap
y
happ
so
my life and we have been
are
enough word!) to have adopted her from you and
eternally grateful.’
Megan
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First Aid for Pets
Could you save your pet’s life in an emergency? We talked to vet
Heidi Richards about why you should get some basic skills.
Why would this talk be of interest
to pet owners?
Everyone who has an animal would like
to know what to do if their animal is in
trouble. This is a very practical talk giving
straightforward advice for commonly
encountered problems as well as medical
emergencies. You’ll be able to know when
you can handle it at home, or when you
should get to a vet.
What range of subjects will be covered?
The subjects range from what to do with
cuts and stings, how to help if an animal
is involved in a road traffic accident and
emergency help for choking and bleeding.
We’ll also include other subjects such as
heatstroke, CPR and fitting.
Will there be a practical
element to the talk?
Yes, we’ll be demonstrating how to bandage
a limb, very useful for small cuts, sore pads
and broken nails which are so common
and can bleed a lot. Every person will be
given a bandage pack to take home. We’ll
use models to show CPR and the Heimlich
Manoeuvre and we’ll hopefully bring in one
of the Home’s dogs to show how to assess
pulse, colour and breathing.
Heidi works for Bath Vet Group,
and is one of the regular vets in our Vet Suite.
Why are you doing the talk?
It is important information, so pet owners can
do basic care in their own home saving them
a bit of money and potentially the life of their
pet. My colleague Janine was telling me how,
just days after attending a First Aid for Pets
course, her dog got stung by a wasp and she
knew exactly what to do without panicking.
She didn’t have to go to the vets so the
course paid for itself in that one incident! Of
course it also raises vital funds for the Home,
as all money raised will go directly to the care
of the animals.
Heidi is hosting a talk on First Aid for Pets at the Home on Thursday
16th April at 7pm. Cost is £15 and includes a free bandage kit to
take home with you. All money goes to help animals in our care.
Spaces are limited, please call 01225 787334 (office hours)
to grab a seat now.
Want to make a donation?
Call 01225 787334 or visit www.bcdh.org.uk/donate_today
www.bcdh.org.uk
Rescuing & re-homing animals since 1937
Registered Charity Number 205594