Animal Rescue with Marion Garnett
Dedicated animal expert Marion Garnett, founder of the Ealing Animal Charities Fair, continues her column
DO you like secrets? I’m at the Magician’s Convention in Blackpool surrounded by people stuffed full of secrets. I’m particularly partial to the secrets of how magicians can take valuables from someone’s pockets without them noticing.
Looking out over the horizon at Blackpool’s seafront, I’m reminded the sea is another place awash with secrets – another place where valuables can be taken without anyone noticing.
That’s why we need organisations like Sea Shepherd to make sure activities, that should be made public, don’t take place, un-noticed, in the depths of the ocean.
Sea Shepherd is a marine wildlife conservation organisation who expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas – they shed light on what some would like kept secret.
Their mission is to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world’s oceans. Campaigns in which they have been engaged include fighting illegal shark fishing and defending whales and porpoises.
If you have never heard anyone from Sea Shepherd speak about their work, this Saturday could be your chance – they will be giving a presentation at the Ealing Animal Charities Fair.
When I last heard them speak, everyone in the room came out wanting to be a Cove Guardian defending dolphins.
And they do want volunteers.
They want passionate ocean defenders who aren’t afraid of hard work, dangerous conditions and extreme weather.
They want people on their boats for a variety of roles such as mechanics, cooks and medics.
Preference is given to volunteers who are available for the most time. Volunteers must be able to swim and be willing to be filmed. Their campaigns take place in oceans around the world including the Antarctic.
Find out more from sea shepherd.org.uk.
At the Ealing Animal Charities Fair (ealinganimalsfair.london), Sea Shepherd is part of a fantastic programme of speakers including Dr Alison Cronin talking about the rescue of monkeys, Duncan McNair talking about elephants and Michelle Clark from Dogs on the Streets. There will also be stalls and music.
The fair takes place on 2 March (10.30am-4pm) at Hanwell Methodist Church, Church Road, London W7 1DJ.
Even if he was eligible, Bagheera couldn’t volunteer for Sea Shepherd. He doesn’t like being photographed. When I met him, he was very affectionate and enjoyed being stroked but the moment the camera appeared, he became camera shy.
Bagheera came into RSPCA care after being found as a stray but he’s now waiting for his new home at the Cat Adoption Centre, Burket Close, Southall.