Pats Cats Etc

OUR NEWSLETTER IS NOW FREE!!!

YOU ARE STILL WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO MAKE YOUR DONATION SHOULD YOU WISH TO BUT, HERE AT PATS CATS ETC WE HAVE DECIDED AMONGST OURSELVES TO LET OUR LOYAL SUPPORTERS HAVE THE NEWSLETTER FREE OF CHARGE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THEY WISH TO PAY FOR IT THINK OUR AIM IS TO MAKE THE NEWSLETTER MORE OPEN TO MORE PEOPLE THEREFORE INCREASING OUR CHANCES AT  GETTING OUR MESSAGE ACCROSS TO A BROADER AUDIENCE, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT.

  Patron of pats cats etc...Richard Briers CBE

CHRISTMAS 2011

I can hardly believe I am sat here, albeit with sunshine streaming through the windows, writing the Christmas newsletter.  Where has the year gone?   Certainly here we have continued to be incredibly busy with animals in and out, more in than out though, and every attempt to provide more accommodation to help even more.

Tim has been putting in so many hours, often not even going to bed at night, truly, and often wandering around in the dark to quiet and comfort newly arrived dogs.  Obviously we are mindful of them causing a disturbance to neighbours and the last thing we want is complaints.  We are hoping that some new plans we are drawing up for kennels will reduce noise though it is difficult.  One of our main problems is time.  All of these ideas take considerable time, bases to be laid, materials ordered and then the buildings erected and with only the three of us its not easy.  We keep hoping to find volunteers and we do have a few but not as many as we would like.
<<< Have a go!!>>> If you think you know the answer please feel free to email us at patscatsetc@yahoo.co.uk just for fun!

GREETINGS CARDS

I have always been so grateful for the beautiful Christmas cards I receive every year and have enjoyed reciprocating.  However, this year I have decided that the postage has got ridiculous, often costing more than the actual cards, so I am donating the money to the animals instead.  I hope this will not upset anyone and don’t want anyone to feel left out but the animals need the money more than the Royal Mail.

Could I ask, if you are sending a donation for Christmas, to please accept our thanks here and now?  Generally I always acknowledge receipt if only with a quick postcard but from now on will be doing the same, passing on the cost of the postage to the rescue work.  I have asked that no cash is sent, particularly since we had a spait of mail theft a while back, and cheques are perfectly safe since, even if stolen, can’t be re-used by the wrong people. 

This brings me to the point where I should broach the subject of the plans to end cheques all together.  I am not sure what is intended by the Powers the Be to allow people to donate to places such as ours but meantime have another suggestion which might help.  Quite a number of supporters have started to donate with a direct debit on a monthly basis.  Its actually not a bad idea as, once set up there is no need to try to remember it, also the figure is entirely your choice and a smaller, regular amount (or a larger one if you insist J) is easier to find that one or two bigger sums.  Should you decide this idea is for you then by all means ask us for bank details, no problem.

Our web site also has the facility to donate via Paypal if you prefer although I appreciate that a number of you do not have computers.

SPONSORSHIP  

Do you want to sponsor an animal? click link below.

patscatsetc.org.uk/pages/sponsorship.php     <To be updated shortly,

until then please feel free to message us for a list of pottential sponsoships xx

This brings me to sponsorship for the animals which can be done in precisely the same way as above and is a valuable source of income for us although we only have a few people taking part right now.  I would very much like to build this up and if you would like to help you can choose an animal from our web site pictures or ask us to suggest one of them to suit your interests.

I am also looking for someone who would be interested and willing in keeping the sponsorship records for us.  This would involve recording details of sponsors, their chosen animal(s) and payment details.  There would be a twice annual letter to them together with at least one updated photograph of ‘their’ animal.  This is just a brief description but if you might be interested by all means contact us without commitment to discuss it.

VISITORS

Now a rather tricky subject.  I recently had one very angry lady commenting on the fact that we don’t encourage visitors and no amount of explanation seemed to satisfy her.  I am therefore going to explain this ruling and if anyone feels it is unfair or impractical then by all means let us know.

We try to keep a low profile here to avoid the dumping of animals on the premises, quite a frequent occurrence at other rescues and which happened a number of times when I lived in a more accessible village environment.  Picture what happened on one such occasion recently.  Two little dogs were chucked out on a driveway leading to a rescue and, in their haste to depart, the people ran over one of them.  By morning, when they were found, this poor little creature was dead and the other one, possibly her son, was curled up against her body.  It could be that she lay there all night injured and might not have died had anyone known the situation.

In addition, with just three of us managing over 200 animals, we simply don’t have time to stop for an unscheduled chat.  We therefore say that if people are coming to visit, for whatever purpose, then an appointment is necessary.  That way we can make preparations to allow sufficient time to stop and discuss their needs.

Of course if someone is bringing an animal in or adopting one then we give whatever time is necessary for discussion and paperwork.  We perfectly well understand that a caring person bringing in a much loved pet is going to want to see where they are going and we never skimp on that sort of arrangement.

I hope this explains things clearly.  Our main priority is the animals and hopefully most people understand this.  We offer a twenty-four seven help for animals in trouble, often turning out late at night, in the early hours of the morning and on bank holidays.  Household names in rescue often work normal business hours and the dog warden goes home at five o’clock, allot of those people also have a salary, just a reminder that we are purely voluntary with no outside funding.

SOCIAL SERVICES

We have been very busy this year with several animals taken in due to illness, hospitalisation and homelessness on the part of their owners.  We often actually end up with the animals on a permanent basis when the owners die or are too ill to continue with their care.  Other intakes have been from animals found in empty properties when people have moved out, often leaving poor pets with little or no food or water.  They remain shut up until an agent or viewer helpfully gets there in time to save them from starving but disasters can happen.

MICRO CHIPPING

This is mainly for local people or visitors who might want their animal micro chipping.  I am qualified to do this and can do so at a preferential rate.

If you are considering having this done perhaps you could be persuaded further with the following story.

I recently received a phone call from a veterinary practice in Berkshire to say they had a cat there registered with the micro chip company in our name.  Now we always register animals leaving here in the name of the new owner and ourselves as an extra safeguard.  As it happened the cat had lived with us for quite a while before being re-homed and, in this instance, he went to a close relative and therefore was still only registered with us.  I was able to identify the animal immediately, rang the owners and he was on his way home in a matter of minutes.  Had he not been chipped then who knows what might have happened, he had been left at the vets as a stray.

Please do consider having this done, it is well worth the cost.  Our charge is £12.50, quite a bit less than most vets. 

 

You can support us by buying Patricia Clements first book, click here>>>> patscatsetc.org.uk/pages/shop.php<<<<

BOOK, A NEW PROJECT
I have decided to write a new book for the benefit of all animals in trouble.  Firstly it is to encourage people to obtain them from a rescue rather than buy from a shop, breeder or puppy farm and secondly the revenue from the sales will go towards providing more accommodation here to enable us to increase our intake.  The book will be about celebrities and their rescued pets and will include photographs.  I have already been fortunate enough to receive quite a considerable amount of support including a most beautiful photograph from Brian May of Queen with one of his rescued fox cubs.  Due shortly is additional help from Mic Martin who features in the Dogs Borstal on TV, Peter Egan of Ever Decreasing Circles and Maria Daines, International singer and song writer.  The list of contacts is growing but I will need a whole lot more.  Some newspapers have shown an interest and will spread the word but if  you know any celebrity then please either let me know or, if possible, pass on this information to them.

All that I require is a couple of paragraphs about them together with a photograph and exactly the same of their rescued animal(s).  Remember this will benefit animals all over the world.

         <<< left to right tim (handyman)... pat (founder and animal carer)....and debbies feet (doesnt like photos she is the head poo cleaner and animal carer)

WEB SITE
Tim has worked extremely hard on our web site and there is lots of information on there about our work, animals and needs.  Do please have a look if you possibly can.  The beauty of this updated system is that we can amend it and add to it making it more interesting.  Before when it stayed the same once you had looked it became rather boring.


MOST RECENT

We have been fortunate enough to win the bidding (actually it was negotiation) for a set of ten kennels on eBay.  They are going to cost £3,000 to buy but a whole lot more is needed for repairing the base etc.  The original price of these was around £12,000 and currently they are advertised at £16,000.  You can see my bargaining powers have not faded with time but its still a lot of money to find.  I still retain my dream of a world cruise on my bucket list but it fades at regular intervals when something for the animals crops up.

We may not be able to have the new block completed in situ before the Spring as there are lots more jobs to be done including completing the refurbishment of the Roche Building.  We have a lovely Rayburn to go in there which will provide heating for all the kennels.  It will also help us with the repetitive task of trying to dry all the animal blankets!

RE-HOMING

This is no easy task and we are being extra careful as we approach Christmas.  No animal is going to a place where big celebrations are planned with lots of noise and visitors.

We have been able to find some lovely homes recently and four of the dogs have gone to people with health issues and proved to be a marvellous help.  Oscar’s daddy was a serviceman, returning home with post traumatic stress syndrome.  Jess’s new mummy had depression.  Milo adores his disabled mummy and has encouraged her to do more exercise.  And Penny has gone to help her new mummy to get out and about after a long time with agoraphobia.  We are in close contact with them all, have had photos of some enjoying their new life and get updated feedbacks from time to time.  This is the up side of what we do.

THERE IS A DOWNSIDE

Sadly we lost our much loved Boomer, St Bernard brother to Molly.  We did worry about her reaction but she has surprisingly joined forces with two other dogs rescued from the Pound and they are all getting on famously.

Jake  was a stunning Husky x Malamute, cream with beautiful blue eyes.  Within hours of death in the Pound, we managed to squeeze him in here and subsequently found him a home with two long time friends of Tim and Debbie and have been delighted with photos of him lying on the settee and on the rug, clutching his Kermit the frog.  These lovely people are currently fostering Cassie, another dog of the same breed, also blue eyed but grey and white.  We suspect we might have difficulty prising her away both from them and Jake but time will tell.

It is so distressing that Staffordshire bull terriers have such a bad and undeserved press.  We have several here and have grown to love the breed totally.  Ranger arrived late one tea time (another escapee from the Pound), walked in among a host of cats and dogs, leapt into the chair and settled down.  He would make someone an adorable pet.

Choui, Milo (yes, another Milo, not the same one) and Fletcher all due to be pts arrived in quick succession.  They were micro chipped and the owners contacted but the dogs were not wanted, which is incredibly sad.  We hope to find them some lovely new homes where the new owners will received a mass of licks and affection.

DD is one of two collies needing forever homes.  The second one is due in shortly so we have no name as yet, only that she was going to be shot as she/he didn’t come up to standard for working the sheep.

Charlie is a mixture and continually missing out on a new home as she is not exactly glamorous but we tend to love that sort of dog.  My only possible description is a bit like Winston Churchill but no cigar.

Bronson is a lovely, gentle rottie cross whose only desire is to lick hands and be stroked.  He is a big chap but the typical gentle giant.

Abbey is another sweetheart who is continually overlooked as she is no glamour girl but, nevertheless, beautiful to us.  We hate it when these poor dogs remain in kennels overly long although they do get walked and have an exercise/play area.  Our ideal is to see them, like Jake, on someone’s rug or settee enjoying the right life for a dog.

Two more dogs are due in on Monday and they are young Husky x Malamute who will be looking for homes.  This breed is becoming quite fashionable but are also being dumped frequently.  I suspect it is because the puppies are absolutely picture-book but people fail to research properly and end up with a large, strong dog who needs proper training.

WEB SITE PICTURES

We hope to get a lot of these dogs on to our web site for prospective owners to get some idea of their appearance but if you do not have a computer then by all means contact us as we can arrange for you to visit or have a picture if you are considering adoption.

Please remember to make an appointment and keep in mind that we will do a home visit and ask for a donation.  At the moment that is £100, a whole lot less than many other rescues, but it will cover neutering and micro chipping and worming.

CATS

I have made quite a lot of mention about dogs but not to forget we also rescue cats and have plenty who would appreciate a lap to sit on or a fire to stretch out by.  Once incomers have done their quarantine they have twelve acres of freedom and plenty of places to sleep so, to be honest, they are no so difficult for us to cope with compared to the dogs.  Plus there are so very many dogs being put to sleep daily that we are constantly being asked to help, especially with those in the Pound where they only get a very short time before they are euthanized.

OTHERS

Our other assorted animals are mostly permanent residents.  Our six pigs now have excellent quarters down in our forest.  It is a lot dryer there and littered with sweeties (also known as acorns).  The shelter from the trees is also very beneficial and our field, where they were before, now has a chance to recover.  They frequently remind me of two uninvited visitors who turned up one day and subsequently threatened to report me to the RSPCA as my (then) one pig had no grass.  Some people’s ignorance about animals never ceases to amaze me.  Anyone who has ever kept pigs will tell you how quickly they can demolish a hitherto delightful grassy area to produce their much loved mud to wallow in.

The horses have given us considerable trouble these last few months.  Across our adjoining lane is a stable with two residents and Rachel, a grey and feisty newcomer has taken a fancy to Traveller over there.  As a result she barges through our surrounding hedgerow to reach him and the others follow.  Thankfully, being rural, they stick around and come back when called or lured with the food bucket, but we do hope to get some stronger fencing done to avoid this.  One of the fifty thousand jobs on Tim’s ‘to do’ list.  If anyone local can offer a day or half a day to help it would be brilliant.  Unfortunately this doesn’t happen very often.

Bonnie the pony is on permanent medication as she has an incurable illness but her tablets are keeping this at bay very well and she is having a lively life alongside Jenny, the donkey.  Our hay bill has been huge this year due to the bad weather last year and heavy traffic in the fields making it necessary for us to provide to make up for the lack of grazing. 

The fancy birds are mostly in the conservatory aviaries and sing away happily with the exception of Percy the Parrot who has other ideas, mainly whistling or shouting out names he has learned since arriving some weeks ago. 

Rabbits and hamsters have their own indoor accommodation and will soon be re-sited ready for the winter.  We are currently having some really lovely days, the sun is shining as I type.  Looking back to this time last years we were knee deep in snow.  Bad weather and short hours in the day do not help our kind of work but it still has to be done. 

ITEMS WE NEED

I find its always worth making a mention of things we could use here just in case they are the sort of thing you might want to get out of your garage/shed and maybe take to the tip.  Large and small, but anything at all will be considered.  Sheet, towels, a caravan (even a shell will do), hay, straw, building materials

Much as we appreciate donations of items we have to be realistic about distance.  Our vehicles are another heavy cost with insurance, tax and fuel so we try to keep journeys to a minimum.  E.g. we recently agreed to take some chickens, only to discover they were in Dumfries!!!  See what I mean?

Many thanks for your continued support. Love Pat Tim Debbie and the animals x