Animal Rescue with Marion Garnett
IT’S USUALLY useful to think ahead. Hounslow Animal Welfare Society (HAWS) are experts in this. For weeks now, they’ve been collecting items to sell at the Ealing Animal Charities Fair so that, on the day, their stall, is like a treasure trove. I’ve seen them, in previous years, before the Fair starts, looking at what they have brought to sell and thinking how are we going to fit all this on the stall. But they do.
Like many animal charities, HAWS are also experts in picking up the pieces from people who don’t think ahead. Often this takes the form of someone getting a pet without thinking what might happen in the future - and then contacting HAWS or another animal charity because they want to give it up.
Sometimes a pet has to be given up because something unexpected has happened but sometimes it’s for a reason that was foreseeable in advance.
The animal rescue centre, Mayhew, (another brilliant charity who also has a stall at the Fair) has produced a list of questions for people to ask themselves before they get a pet.
These include ‘Are you prepared to care for a pet for its whole life?’ When you adopt an animal, you’re committed to caring for it, for its entire life and, for a cat or dog, this could be for an average of 15 years.
You need to think about what you might be doing over this time, such as moving house or changing work and, if so, how will you continue to care for your pet. Other questions to ask yourself include, can you afford a pet, have you time for a pet, do you live in suitable accommodation and, if you have a pet already, is it a good idea to introduce a new animal? These questions all have to be thought through carefully.
It was after a change in circumstances that the gorgeous Tia arrived into the care of HAWS. Tia is 10 months old, sweet and friendly but a little shy initially with people she doesn’t know. If you are interested in homing this beautiful girl, see haws-animals.org.uk or call 020 8560 5443.
Meanwhile, don’t forget both HAWS and Mayhew are among the societies at the Ealing Animal Charities Fair which takes place on Saturday, March 7 (10.30am to 4pm) at Hanwell Methodist Church, Church Road, W7 1DJ. There is a fantastic programme of speakers plus 40 animal charity stalls. Admission is free. Details from ea ling animals fair. london.