Monday 25 October 2010

Quarterly Newsletter





AUTUMN 2010

How Are We Doing?
The truth is we are busier than ever and whilst we are pleased to report that rehomings have picked up after the post election blues, we are seeing ever increasing numbers of animals needing our help; and we fear things are just going to get worse with the latest announcement of government cuts.

We are unsurprisingly struggling financially still. Even our charity shops are feeling the pinch; we are not getting the donations or the customers like we used as people seem to be cutting back more and more. As a result, we are losing up to £1,000 a month alone from our shop income.

Financial donations are greatly down too and we fear the worst is yet to come. Sadly this is all happening at a time when we need financial support more than ever due to the intake of two cases of animals rescued by RSPCA inspectors from pitiful, squalid conditions.

One case is of 6 rabbits and the other case was of 430+ small animals in just one property, of which we took in 23 rabbits and 4 guinea pigs. This is 33 small animals in addition to the dozen we already had in our care (which is the maximum we can typically afford to care for) but when these desperate cases came along we had to rally round and help.

As a consequence we are launching the Rabbit Appeal this month; asking animal lovers to help us provide the extra 33 small animals in our care with the essential environmental enrichment they need to meet their needs to be kept occupied and stimulated.

We are also planning ahead for when the animals will, hopefully, be officially signed over to our care by the judges presiding over the cases and we can get them neutered and vaccinated at a cost of around £120 per rabbit.

Currently the animals can only receive essential veterinary care as they still technically belong to the owners. We only have the right to take care of them because the police have seized the animals for us.

Undoubtedly the most frustrating thing of all is that it could take upwards of 6 months for the prosecutions to reach conclusion, and then there is always the possibility that we won’t be successful and have to return them to their owners.

For the time being we have to put that thought out of our minds and give the animals the best care they could wish for, but it is disheartening to know they will have to wait indefinitely for the new homes and lives they deserve. This is all the more tragic for the five four week old baby rabbits that will miss out on growing up and being enjoyed in a loving home.

If you would like to donate any rabbit toys please bring them along to our Urmston or Chorlton charity shop. You can also make a financial donation via our website at
www.rspca-manchesterandsalford.org.uk or by sending us a cheque to the address below. And if you are a rabbit savvy owner and would like to help us care for and socialise the bunnies please get in touch.

Will You Join Us In Wonderland?
On Friday 12th November we will be holding our biggest fundraiser of the year at Chorlton Irish Club on High Lane in Chorlton – a Madhatter’s Tea Party no less!

Come and take a jolly tumble down the rabbit hole and join the Madhatter for a teaparty you will simply never forget. Bring a smile as wide as the Cheshire Cat and please don't be late or you will miss out on our fabulous entertainment including our magician, live music, comedy turns and a spectacular alternative dance troupe. There will be oodles of mysterious cakes, jam tarts, great music and a fully licenced bar, so follow the white rabbit and watch out for flamingos on your way to the greatest party in all the land!

Advance tickets £7 from our Chorlton charity shop or £8 on the door (50p off for concessions). Doors 7.30pm, first act 8.15pm. Full line up can be seen on our website.

Dog Demands
One of the saddest things we have seen over the last few months has been an unprecedented influx of young dogs needing our help. It seems that new dog owners are underestimating the demands and needs of puppies and before long are finding themselves unable to cope with unruly, ill trained, unsocialised dogs. So far these dogs have ranged from 3 months to 12 months of age and it is just tragic to see these poor animals ill cared for, unwanted and homeless through no fault of their own.

No less tragic is the story of Lily, pictured above. Lily’s home was a car, locked inside with her litter mate Diaz because her owners were not allowed pets in them home they shared with their landlord. Lily was only 9 months old when she came into our care but is now nearly 18 months old, having being adopted twice and returned to us each time. Each time Lily’s needs were underestimated, meaning she has now had several places she has called home and has let been let down too many times, including by us.

We are desperate to find Lily a new home, preferably on a farm or in a home where outdoor pursuits are enjoyed daily. She is a cracking little energetic dog that needs someone that will give her the stimulation and activity that she needs.

Can you give her the home that she needs? Please contact us if you can.

Social Networking
This year, not only have we launched our new website but we are embracing the potential delights social networking sites have to offer charities such as ours.

We need friends! So please sign up to our new Facebook site where you can see and learn all about the animals in our care and the events we have going on. Search for us under RSPCA Manchester and Salford Branch.

Want our Tweets? Join us on Twitter @rspcamcrsalford and receive daily updates on our work and join in on the discussion board.

Of course you can still follow the ups and downs of our animal rescue work with our blog, which continues to be ever popular at rspcamcrsalford.blogspot.com


Dates For Your Diary
Sun 31st Oct Halloween Quiz Nite
Test your knowledge on all the things that go bump in the night at our Halloween themed quiz night.
At My Place, formerly The Lounge Bar, next door to Chorlton precinct entrance on Wilbraham Road. Doors 7pm, quiz starts 7.30pm, £1 pp entry.

Sat 6th Nov 11-3pm Pet Health Clinic
Free veterinary health checks for cats and dogs, plus £1 microchipping & discounted flea and worming treatment. Rainbow Community Rooms, 275 Liverpool Rd, Eccles, M30 0QN

Fri 12th Nov 7.30pm til late Madhatter’s Tea Party
Enjoy an evening of eclectic entertainment and wonderment with the Madhatter and his friends at Chorlton Irish Club, High Lane, Chorlton, M21. Doors 7.30pm, adv tix £7, on door £8 (conc. 50p off). Dare you enter the rabbit hole?

Sun 14th Nov 4.30-7.00pm £3 Microchipping for all pets at St John’s Church, Irlam Road, Flixton, M41 6AP. No appointment necessary.

Sat 4th Dec 11-3pm All Pets Xmas Party
Come join us for our annual Xmas fair plus FREE veterinary health checks for all pets, £3 microchipping and discount flea and worming treatment. St Matthew’s Church Hall, opposite Stretford Arndale, on Chapel Lane of Stretford Road.