Branch News
We're delighted to announce that Robin Willmott will be running the 2008 London Marathon for us. Click on the link to his Justgiving page below if you'd like to sponsor him.
http://www.justgiving.com/london2008
You can follow Robin's progress on our new Supporters page.
If you'd like to do a fundraising event for us, please go here to find out how to set up a Justgiving page.
Two dead Staffordshire bull terriers have been found dumped in black
bin bags in a fishing lake in Europe Road, Woolwich, SE18. An adult white and tan dog and a six-month old grey puppy have were both found in bags over the past two weeks. It is not clear how they died, but they may have been drowned. RSPCA Inspector Stewart Toop said: "We would like to hear from anyone who knows how these dogs came to be dumped here."
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the RSPCA in confidence on 030012340298.
Chip and Snip Campaign
We've got together with the Celia Hammond Trust to offer a "Chip and Snip" campaign, giving a special cheap rate of £20 to get your dog neutered and microchipped. To qualify you must be in receipt of benefits or on low income. Please call the neutering line for further information: 07779 610 254. Please note that funds are limited so get in touch now because when the money's gone, we'll have to withdraw the offer.
We're delighted that the following people are holding sponsored events for us! If you'd like to support them, please visit their Justgiving pages (below)
Robin's 10k run
Emma's Skydive
Suzanne's 5k run
Samantha's 5k run
If you'd like to do a sponsored event for us, please go here to set up your fundraising page.
RSPCA Press Releases
Tuesday 15 May 2007
One of the most coveted titles in the canine calendar is up for grabs with the launch of RSPCA Dog of the Year - the UK's largest annual competition exclusively for rescue dogs, both crossbreeds and pedigrees of all ages, shapes and sizes.
It is open to rescue dogs from all backgrounds - not just RSPCA centres - and there are three stages to the competition:
1. Heats: More than 60 heats are held nationwide - visit www.rspca.org.uk or call 0870 333 5999 for details. Winners are chosen for their general condition, overall appearance and character. Entries for all local heats are taken on the day and prizes are given to all first, second and third- placed winners.
2. Regional Final: All first-placed heat winners enter the on-line regional final in September (date to be confirmed). Photos and stories of all heat winners will feature on www.rspca.org.uk/doty Visitors to the site will be able to vote for their favourite dog in each region - North East, North West, East, South East, South and South West, and Wales and West. The six with the most votes will be named regional RSPCA Dog of the Year winners and secure a place in the final.
3. Grand Final: Regional winners will battle it out in the final which will run in the Sunday Express newspaper in October (date to be confirmed). Readers will be able to vote for the dog they most want to be crowned the UK's RSPCA Dog of the Year.
The overall winner will be announced by the Sunday Express in November and will receive a whole host of prizes including:
· a year's supply of Butcher's dog food
· RSPCA pet insurance cover for a year
· a photo session with glossy magazine Dogs Today and the chance to star on the front cover
· a framed RSPCA Perfect Pet* design based on the winning dog
RSPCA director general Jackie Ballard said: "More than 16 and a half thousand dogs were rehomed by the RSPCA alone last year. RSPCA Dog of the Year is a chance for dogs who were once unwanted to steal the limelight with their new owners and show just what fun and loving pets they can make."
For media enquiries on the competition - which is sponsored by Butcher's Pet Care - and photographs of last year's winners please call Rebecca Ralph in the press office on 0870 754 0450 or 0870 754 0244/0288.
*RSPCA Perfect Pets is a range of merchandise designed to educate children about the responsibility of pet ownership, without having the responsibility of owning a real animal. For more information visit www.rspcaperfectpets.co.uk
24/4/07
Rescue Me - RSPCA Sees Rise In Number Of Unwanted Animals
- RSPCA releases rescue figures for 2006 -
Trapped between walls, stranded in a river, stuck in a hole or simply unwanted, the RSPCA rescued nearly 150 thousand domestic, wild and farm animals from dangerous and distressing situations last year.
And the new figures released today show the number of animals rescued by the RSPCA just because their owners did not want them any more increased by 44 per cent.
Top of the league for the second year, cats were the most unwanted pets. Despite their apparent popularity - more households in Britain own one than any other domestic animal* - the RSPCA rescued nearly 3,000 unwanted cats last year, more than double the number of unwanted dogs.
This news comes at the start of RSPCA Week (23-29 April) - the Society's largest annual fundraising and awareness raising push - and to mark the occasion award-winning comedian and cat owner Ricky Gervais is highlighting the RSPCA's vital role rescuing animals.
Ricky said: "The RSPCA works round the clock rescuing thousands of animals every year and gives them the chance of a new life, but to carry on they need your help. Dig deep during RSPCA Week and give whatever you can to help your local branch help more animals in need."
RSPCA annual rescue figures in 2006 also showed:
· overall the most animals were rescued because of sickness and injury · the Society rescued more wild birds than any other type of animal · animals in road traffic accidents increased by more than 2,000 - from
7,711 to 9,885
· more cats were rescued from road traffic accidents and being stuck up trees than any other domestic or wild animal · the RSPCA responded to more than one million calls from members of the public
Andy Foxcroft, chief officer of RSPCA inspectorate, said: "We rescue a staggering number of animals from a wide range of difficult, distressing and often surprising situations each year. But what strikes me particularly about our latest figures is the huge number of animals we rescue simply because their owners no longer want them.
"With the new Animal Welfare Act now in force - which means owners are legally obliged to find out about their pet's particular needs and care for it properly - we really hope more people will consider the full responsibility they are taking on before getting an animal. Hopefully this will mean the RSPCA rescuing fewer unwanted animals."
Typical RSPCA rescues in 2006 include:
· a cat rescued from the bumper compartment of a van in Smethwick, after being driven around Birmingham all day · a fox cub entangled in a football net in Tunbridge Wells · a terrier rescued after being trapped all day between a cavity wall in Acton Park, Wrexham · a kitten rescued from a two-inch gap between his house and another building in St Neots · a sheep stranded in stormy weather on the banks of the River Tees, Durham · four puppies dumped in a cardboard box in woods near Cowbit, Lincolnshire.
Throughout RSPCA Week staff and volunteers are holding events to raise much-needed cash for the Society's 175 branches across England and Wales, and collections are taking place in Tesco stores. To find out more about the week and how you can help visit www.rspcaweek.org.uk
4/4/07
Landmark Law To Better Protect Animals Comes Into Force In England
The RSPCA is today celebrating the historic implementation of the Animal Welfare Act which will mean a brighter future for neglected pets and other animals.
The new law, which has been long anticipated by the Society, comes into force on 6 April in England. (It was implemented on 28 March in Wales.)
To mark the historic occasion, Defra Minister Barry Gardiner will today (4 April) visit RSPCA Harmsworth Animal Hospital in north London and join RSPCA vet David Grant in ushering in the legislation.
“The Animal Welfare Act is of great significance to the many thousands of animals that suffer through neglect, and for those of us that work to help prevent suffering,” said David Grant.
“Animals need appropriate food and water, shelter and exercise, and to be treated quickly if they are sick or injured. Crucially now owners and keepers will have a legal responsibility to meet the basic welfare needs of their animals.”
As well as increasing the penalties for those who inflict the most serious offences, the Animal Welfare Act makes it a legal requirement for owners to meet the needs of their animals, which includes:
a proper diet (food and water)
somewhere suitable to live
any need to be housed with or apart from other animals
the ability to express normal behaviour
protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
RSPCA Director General Jackie Ballard said: “For the first time in history we have a law which enables our inspectors to prevent animals suffering by taking effective action earlier in cases of ongoing neglect.
“Most people are well aware of their animals’ needs, and so the change to the law won’t affect them or their pets. However if anyone is unsure about what their pet needs, in terms of diet, appropriate housing, exercise, company, and veterinary care, we would urge them to contact us or their vet for advice.”