Aniimal Rescue with
Dedicated animal expert Marion Garnett, founder of the Ealing Animal Charities Fair, continues her column
FIFI is monumentally beautiful – inside and out. When I met her she was perched on a shelf attached to the door of her pen.
When I opened the door she swung out and when I closed the door she swung in. She sat on this shelf for the whole visit and, as I left, she calmly swung in and out again. The staff at the rehoming centre describe her as a “special lady” and “so affectionate”.
Fifi came into the care of the RSPCA when her owner couldn’t care for her any more. When we get a pet, our intention should be to keep the pet for the rest of their lives, but if something unthinkable happens and we can no longer care for them, it’s important the animal continues to be well cared for.
If you got your pet from a rescue centre, they would want to know you can’t keep the animal any more so you should contact them about taking them back. You may have to go on a waiting list, but they will provide guidance. Otherwise, contact a reputable animal rescue centre to see if they can take them in. Websites such as catchat.org provide useful contact details for centres (not only useful for cats but also other animals) and sites such as battersea.org.uk also offer advice. Some charities such as Blue Cross have a scheme whereby the animal stays with you while they look for a new home.
Please don’t abandon your animal. This is cruel and illegal. Remember also there are dangers to advertising animals online, for example, unscrupulous people use such sites who can’t get animals from a reputable source. It’s essential the person who takes on your pet will look after them well.
If you can offer Fifi a loving home, she is waiting at the RSPCA Cat Adoption Centre, Burket Close, Southall.
Residents at the centre are busy finalising their lists for Santa. By December 1, each cat will have a list for Santa and a stocking hanging outside their pen. These gifts are especially needed as this week someone stole the RSPCA’s piggy bank from reception. This money was for the cats Christmas treats.
Also on December 1, real Christmas trees will be on sale in the adoption centre’s car park with a donation from each tree sold going to the centre
Finally, the adoption centre is hosting a Christmas evening on Wednesday December 11 (5.30pm to 7.30pm). There will be carols, refreshments and games.