Animal Rescue with Marion Garnett

Dedicated animal expert Marion Garnett, founder of the Ealing Animal Charities Fair, continues her column

BEARS, dolphins, swans and monkeys don’t usually get a mention here but today it’s their turn.

All these species (and more) will be represented at the Ealing Animal Charities Fair by people knowledgeable about these animals who feel passionately about their welfare.

For example, did you know a mute swan can fly at 50mph? Swan LifeLine certainly do. Based on Cuckoo Weir Island at Eton, each year this charity rescues over 700 swans and admits over 300 for treatment.

Each of their outdoor pens contains a pond that has a constant flow of river water. They rescue and treat sick and injured swans with the aim of returning them to the wild as soon as possible.

Swan LifeLine will be at the Ealing Animal Charities Fair and you will be able to talk to them about their work. They provide a 24 hour service for swans in trouble - it could be worth putting their number (01753 859397) in your phone now.

You never know when you might need it. I’ve had the experience, on a rainy night, of turning onto the A4 at Gillette Corner only to meet a bewildered swan waddling west up the eastbound carriageway after, possibly, in the dark, mistaking the glistening wet road for a river – (rest assured, this swan was safely retrieved).

Another fastmoving animal is the greyhound – although this greyhound, Gary, wasn’t rushing anywhere when I met him. Fast asleep in an office at Dogs Trust Harefield, the fastest he moved was to amble over to see if any of the treats he could smell in my bag, had his name on them.

Gary’s a big boy who can find new environments scary.

His new owners will need to make multiple visits to the centre before taking him home in order to build a strong bond with him. If this could be you, see dogstrust.org.uk.

Dogs Trust are also amongst the stallholders at the Ealing Animal Charities Fair together with societies representing bears (Animals Asia), dolphins (the Dolphin Project) and monkeys (the Jim Cronin Memorial Fund). Sometimes it’s easy to overlook events on our doorstep in favour of those farther afield but don’t be fooled, this Fair, which includes great speakers such as Dr Alison Cronin is a unique gem not to be missed. The fair takes place on Saturday March 2 (10.30am-4pm) at Hanwell Methodist Church, Church Road W7 1DJ. Free admission.

Details at ealinganimalsfair. london.