Ruislip & Eastcote & Northwood Gazette
Animal Rescue with Marion Garnett
Dedicated animal expert Marion Garnett, founder of the Ealing Animal Charities Fair, continues her column
There was an urgency in Ed’s eating that made you realise he knew what it was like to be starving.
Not that he’s hungry now but he remembers. It was Valentine’s Day when we met and I knew straight away, he was my type. Strong, streetwise but gentle.
The RSPCA think that Ed is about 4 years old and has been a stray for most of his life. Despite this, when I met him, he was friendly and loved having his head rubbed. He’s looking for an adult-only home where he will be the only cat. If this could be with you, Ed is waiting at the RSPCA Cat Adoption Centre, Burket Close, Southall.
There’s also an urgency about most of what I’m doing at the moment. The 42nd Ealing Animal Charities Fair is fast approaching and there’s still a lot to be done. This year it is bigger than ever. We have 40 animal welfare societies taking part plus a full programme of eminent speakers. You can see which societies will be there by visiting the website ealinganimalsfair. london.
They include regulars such as All Dogs Matter, Save The Asian Elephants, Mayhew, National Animal Welfare Trust, Friends of the Earth and Sea Shepherd (always cool) as well as new ones such as Animal Equality and The Retreat Animal Rescue Sanctuary.
Speakers include wildlife expert and well-known broadcaster Dominic Dyer, Dr Alison Cronin - Director of the world-famous ape rescue centre, Monkey World, which is on television every Sunday afternoon for several hours (Pick channel), lawyers from the UK Centre for Animal Law and Jack Reece, a vet who works with the charity, Help in Suffering, in India.
At a conference, people would pay good money to hear our speakers and visit our stalls but, at the Fair, admission is free. There will be lots of information available plus gifts and bargains to buy. You’re welcome to stay all day.
As well as all this, brilliant composer and musician, Alastair Gavin will be providing live music.
Alastair was Assistant Musical Director at Mamma Mia! in the West End for many years, so we are in for a treat. There will be a couple of keyboards around the Fair, so Alastair can play in a variety of locations. Be prepared for him to take a tune and jazz it up.
The Ealing Animal Charities Fair takes place on Saturday, March 7 (10.30am to 4pm) at Hanwell Methodist Church, Church Road, W7 1DJ. Follow us on Twitter @EalngAnimalFair.