Animal Rescue with Marion Garnett
Dedicated animal expert MARION GARNETT, founder of the Ealing Animal Charities Fair continues her column
WALKING up the road at three in the morning, I don’t know why it felt lonely.
With Wormwood Scrubs on the left and Hammersmith Hospital on the right, I must have been under more surveillance than Buckingham Palace.
You wouldn’t think this nondescript road was such an important thoroughfare. Sometimes what’s important may not, at first, seem so. This week’s topic is similarly deceptively important. At present stray Mums and kittens are pouring into rehoming centres.
Loveday, barely a year old herself, has already produced two kittens. This homeless family was found in a shed when someone was looking for a missing cat. Fortunately they are now in the care of Hounslow Animal Welfare Society.
In order to reduce the number of unwanted animals, neutering is vitally important. This can be done privately at a vet but, if money is scarce, here is an update on where free and low cost neutering is available.
Mayhew offer a range of free and low cost neutering at their vet clinic. They neuter bull breed dogs free. For details and to book an appointment call 020 8962 8017. If no reply, leave a message. Alternatively, email vetclinic@mayhewanimalhome.org. Mayhew is at Trenmar Gar- dens, Kensal Green.
The London Cat Care and Control Consortium (C4) offer free neutering of cats subject to eligibility criteria. Go to cats.org.uk/ C4 and see if you are eligible, then look at the website to find a vet who participates in the scheme. If you live in the required area and have been feeding a stray cat for at least fourteen days, the cat can be neutered under the scheme.
The RSPCA offer subsidised neutering in their clinic at Burket Close, Southall. For eligibility go to rspca.org.uk and type southall clinic into the search box. The clinic also has certain days (the next one is April 16) when, if you are eligible, cats can be neutered free without appointment. Animals need to be starved beforehand. If you’re interested phone 0300 1230 746 option three for details.
Dogs Trust offer low cost neutering if you live in the London boroughs and meet their eligibility criteria. For details see dog- strust.org.uk or call their neutering hotline on 0333 202 1148.
If you meet their eligibility criteria, Blue Cross offer neutering in exchange for a contribution. For details call 0300 777 1800 for their hospital in Hammersmith.
Meanwhile, if you can home the friendly Loveday or her delightful kittens, see haws-animals.org.uk or call 020 8560 5443.