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Monday, 26 March 2012

Homes found

Webmaster is away on holiday. The good news is that Suki,Molly,Kittaa,Juliette,Kenzo and Treacle have all found new homes.
Website and cat chat will be amended on my return, middle of next week.

Thursday, 22 March 2012

We do our best

Last week we took a call from someone wanting to rehome their 9 month old male border collie, they were desperate as due to a divorce the young dog was being left for long periods of time while the lady was out at work. She was very upset as she loved the dog but couldn't stand the thought of leaving him all day long; he was always so pleased to see her and she felt so guilty about him being on his own. We asked if the lady would be willing to make a donation of £50 towards getting the dog rehomed. She agreed readily. We checked with the kennels and found we had room for him, and as young dogs of this type always go pretty quickly plus it was already vaccinated, we rang back the lady and said we would take it in.
 
Late on Sunday afternoon, the lady turned up at the kennels with the dog and said  she had  I found him a new home on a farm. She said, "I just wanted to give a £50 donation to the RSPCA, as the young lady at the office was so kind and helpful, whereas all the other rehoming places I tried were so rude and unhelpful!"

Dog Walk

We had a lovely day for the dog walk even though the forecast was not promising. We got all the way round without getting wet and had interesting stops along the way when various bits of history were narrated by our Guide, Ray. Numbers were not as great as we had hoped and we raised just over £50.
At the end we enjoyed the delicacies from the little cafe. A wonderful place.
Next time we will try the walk on a summer Sunday so that more people will be able to enjoy the walk.

Friday, 16 March 2012

Dog Walk

Less than 24 hours to go before our Dog Walk round Rudyard Lake. Weather forecast looks promising. Bring yourself and your dog (if you like) for this 5 mile walk guided walk round the lake. We ask for a donation to raise funds to help local animals. Its also an opportunity to come and talk to us about what we do. Registration open from 10.30am at the Visitor Centre (short walk from the station car park). Walk starts at 11.00am.

Sunday, 11 March 2012

New Cats and Dogs

Our animals are finding new homes very quickly and we have a whole new batch for viewing on our website. Please come and look on http://www.rspcanorthstaffs.co.uk/rehoming.html

Rabbits wanting homes

We have 21 rabbits desperately needing homes. Some of them have been with us for some time. Our rabbits are fostered so cannot be seen at the kennels but anyone interested should please contact our office to arrange a viewing or more details on 01538 388604 or E mail   admin@rspca-staffsnorth.org

Some of them are on our website at  http://www.rspcanorthstaffs.co.uk/rabbits.html

Our next event

Don't forget, this coming Saturday (15th March) its our Springwatch Walk, a 5 mile amble round Rudyard Lake. Meet at the Visitor Centre from 10.30. Start 11.00am. Donation requested to raise funds. Full details on our website (http://www.rspcanorthstaffs.co.uk/springwatchwalk.pdf) 
This is also a good opportunity for anyone thinking of volunteering to help  us in our work with the Branch to come along and meet us and learn more of what we do and how you can help.
Or come simply to enjoy the walk. The weather forecast suggests it will be warm.

Friday, 9 March 2012

Easter Competition

We have just launched  our on line competition, the Rabbit-less Rabbit Show. E mail your pictures of your rabbit to see if you can win. Visit http://www.rspcanorthstaffs.co.uk/competition.html

If you haven't got a rabbit, or even if you have but would like another, we have several that desperately need a home . Please visit us for more details

Thursday, 1 March 2012

Injured Sparrowhawk saved by RSPCA

Although the Branch as such was not involved this story on Thursday 1 March 2012 demonstrates the work that the National Society does.
Thanks to a good Samaritan and specialist treatment at an RSPCA wildlife centre an injured sparrowhawk is well on the road to recovery after being rescued from a road.

The bird of prey was found sitting close to a footpath at Wallbridge Close in Leek, Staffordshire on Sunday 12 February.  A compassionate member of the public could see something wasn’t right as the bird’s wing was at a strange angle and it was unable to fly.  He went towards the bird to pick it up but it ran half-heartedly down the road.  After a short chase the bird was picked up, taken home and placed in a cardboard box before a call was made to the charity.

RSPCA officer Daniel Cole collected the bird taking her to Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Cheshire where the lethargic sparrowhawk was x-rayed.  Suffering from a displaced coracoid (fractured shoulder) she was put on cage rest and Metacam for pain relief.  Fast forward nearly three weeks and the adult bird has been growing stronger by the day. After being successfully flight tested indoors this week, she is now on the final stages of recovery at Stapeley in an outside aviary.

“It is great news that the sparrowhawk is now flying well and will soon be fit and strong enough to be released back to the wild” said Lee Stewart, manager at Stapeley Grange. “We admitted 111 sparrowhawks during 2010 and 2011.  Although it is sadly not possible to return all to the wild, those that we can just need some veterinary support and time to recoup.  It is always fantastic to see such magnificent birds of prey returned to the wild, where they belong.

“As is so often the case the member of public who took the time to rescue this wild animal in distress is the hero of the day as without their helping hand this bird would have suffered and died in the wild. We are so grateful to the people who do stop and help injured wild animals as their actions mean the difference between life and death.”

If you spot an injured or trapped wild animal in distress you can call the RSPCA national cruelty and advice line on 0300 1234 999.

A note about Sparrowhawks

Sparrowhawks are small birds of prey. They're adapted for hunting birds in confined spaces like dense woodland, so gardens are ideal hunting grounds for them. Adult male sparrowhawks have bluish-grey back and wings and orangey-brown bars on their chest and belly. Females and young birds have brown back and wings, and brown bars underneath. Sparrowhawks have bright yellow or orangey eyes, long, yellow legs and long talons. Females are larger than males, as with most birds of prey.