Wednesday 4th May 2011
"We try and help every animal we come across, we try our best to help but that does come at a cost", says Chesterfield RSPCA'S Assistant Manager, Gary Taylor, who spoke to The Chesterfield Post at the start of RSPCA week.
Gary says the week, which aims to raise funds and awareness for the charity, is the most important week in the charity's year and is being supported by TESCO.
Volunteers will be present at stores throughout the UK and Chesterfield centre will be represented at the Lockoford Lane store where staff will have re-homing boards and information about all aspects of animal welfare. "We earn more money and re-home more animals during this week, just from giving the charity prominence", says Gary, "it's vital to our survival."
It's a chance for the organisation to show the work it does in saving animals from a life of cruelty or neglect and in placing them in loving homes and Gary says that, for him and his staff, it's the thought that keeps them going during particularly difficult cases, "Seeing animals come in with sores, scratching and distressed and then, after weeks of care, seeing them go off to a new and happy home is very satisfying - we always work to that goal, it's the ultimate when people visit a year later with pets they adopted and show us how they've thrived, it's unbelievable and success stories are what keep us going."
 The centre on Spital Lane can home 55 dogs at any one time and is licensed for more than 20 cats - though at certain times of year there are vast numbers of nursing mums with kittens who are placed in foster care until they can be adopted. At this time of year there is often a large wildlife presence too with orphaned animals being brought in daily - mainly rabbits, though there are already many domestic bunnies needing a good home too.
The average stay is around 6-8 weeks for dogs but some do stick and Gary says the reasons aren't always obvious. Jaffer, (pictured left with animal assistant Andy) is one of these.
Brought in 6 months ago, he's a terrier who's about 2 years old, "A lively character but very friendly", says Gary "I just don't know why he's still here, he's a lovely little dog. I just don't know why some little dogs get overlooked."
Asked how much the centre costs to run, the answer is surprising, "About a £1,000 a day to run - with vets bills, utility bills and food along with staff costs. If it wasn't for the goodwill of the volunteers who make that less, we couldn't run. We're always conscious of costs, we always look for and consider the best deal."
The influx of animals to the centre is from many sources; owners bring in pets they can no longer cope with, strays and obviously cruelty or neglect cases rescued by a team of Inspectors. They're the most difficult and Gary says there have been so many that there is no particular case that sticks in his mind, "So many dogs are brought in underweight, with pressure sores and scratching, cats with so many injuries, having been set upon by other animals or run over but we get them back to health and a new home."
Gary has this advice for anyone who finds they can no longer look after their pet, or who find a stray, "We can't take in stray dogs - they are a local authority issue, but if someone has an animal which they can no longer look after, ring us and we can talk to you an put the animal on a waiting list and deal with it as soon as we can. Don't abandon them, not even near the centre. We've had cases where animals have been left at the top of the drive, in the cold and in the middle of the night. It isn't acceptable, they're not safe."
Volunteers are always needed, and don't need any special skills. There are many openings for helpers says Gary, "You don't have to be hands on with animals; we need people to do the admin, to work on reception and to fundraise. Anyone who feels that they would like to foster care for us would also be appreciated too. To look after sick or baby animals in need of special care - just give us a call and we can take you through the process."
Whilst waiting to speak to Gary, a resident came in with a small kitten which had been living in his garden for a couple of days. No more than a few months old and clearly someone's pet, the kitten was scanned and it's owner traced.
It's an important message which the charity is keen to promote, "Always get your pet chipped so that you can be reunited. It's so important. The amount of stray cats that come in and aren't chipped is frightening. They never get back to their owners and have to start a new life elsewhere. Rabbits too, get those chipped - if they escape they can often be given back to you." |
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