Animal Rescue with Marion Garnett
Dedicated animal expert MARION GARNETT, founder of the Ealing Animal Charities Fair continues her column
YOU know what it’s like when you go back to a place where you used to live but haven’t visited for a while, possibly years. When you’re there, you can see and hear, in your mind, scenes from the past, (good and bad), and remember them vividly. For some dogs, yesterday could have been that sort of day.
The National Animal Welfare Trust (NAWT) rehoming centre was holding their birthday party and visitors flocked in, many accompanied by dogs who had been previous residents. As they arrived, the dogs stood in the drive, looking down the hill towards the kennels in the yard. I was on a stall at the entrance and could see their heads slowly moving round, taking it all in, smelling the air. Who knows what they were thinking or remembering. Some of the dogs had spent several months or years at the centre waiting for a home. The dogs often stood there for some time – partly because the moment they arrived staff were overjoyed to see them again and sped over to talk to them and their owners.
It was a busy day, one dog and two kittens were reserved plus two rabbits went to their new home. And, it wasn’t just the ground that was a hive of activity. In the skies, light aircraft from Elstree aerodrome vied for space with red kites keeping watch to make sure no one had inadvertently let out the baby rabbits.
Arriving at the centre in April, because their owner passed away, best friends Gemma and Trixie will have memories of their own.
These two older girls can be nervous around new people but once they get to know you, they are loving. Gemma likes squeaky toys whereas Trixie prefers tennis balls. You can meet them at the NAWT rehoming centre, Tylers Way, Watford.
NAWT is looking to upgrade some of the areas around the centre. If anyone has contacts in the building trade who could help with supplies, they would be grateful.
They are also looking for dishwashers for their animal kitchen, if anyone has an unwanted one, NAWT can collect it, call 020 8950 0177 and speak to Jackie De Friez, the centre manager.
The centre is open to visitors every day (11am to 4pm) but their next main event is the Summer Dog Fun Day on July 14.