Animal Rescue with Marion Garnett
Dedicated animal expert Marion Garnett, founder of the Ealing Animal Charities Fair, continues her column
THIS is the last column before Christmas and, in keeping with tradition, we’re going on a sleigh ride to some of our local rehoming centres to see what the animals in their care will be doing on Christmas Day.
But, this year, there is a difference. We’ve got music on the sleigh and Santa’s singing along to “Santa Claus is coming to town”, particularly the words “He’s making a list, he’s checking it twice, he’s gonna find out who’s naughty or nice”.
Although the animals in the centres have been good (or at least they’re trying to be good), Santa isn’t sure about all the owners. In the past year, rehoming centres have taken in many animals who have been abandoned or ill-treated – behaviour by people which isn’t just naughty but nauseatingly awful. Santa is actively reviewing which list those who do such things should be on.
Let’s start the sleigh ride by flying north to the National Animal Welfare Trust centre near Watford. There’ll be great excitement here on Christmas Day as over 80 dogs and 60 cats plus Percy the Pig open presents and enjoy a special dinner. As Santa leaves, the yard provides a perfect launch pad for the sleigh to move onto the next stop – Southridge RSPCA Animal Centre at Potters Bar. Here, on Christmas Day, dogs get extra walks, gifts and a long-lasting chew. Horses are given a selection of suitable fruit and vegetables to munch on throughout the day.
We’re now flying south to the animal rescue centre, Mayhew, in Kensal Green. For the dogs at Mayhew, on Christmas Day, each dog gets their own stocking and cats enjoy extra socialising and playing with their new treats.
Up on the sleigh again, still flying south, Santa is now visiting all the homes where Hounslow Animal Welfare Society have animals in foster care. These cats enjoy Christmas Day with the families they are fostered with. They particularly like having their own indoor tree to climb.
The last visit is to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home where volunteers and staff are hard at work. Battersea is open 24 hours/ day, 365 days a year, for animals in need of help. However, it’s closed for rehoming on December 24-26 and January 1.
Presents distributed, Santa takes the reindeer on a surprise visit to see the 21 life-size elephant sculptures at Marble Arch. Each elephant represents an elephant in the care of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust including at their Nairobi orphanage.
Rudolph is impressed.