Animal Rescue with Marion Garnett
Dedicated animal expert MARION GARNETT, founder of the Ealing Animal Charities Fair continues her column
WE’VE just been clearing up from an impromptu party.
Piles of food in every corner and makeshift beds all over the place. None of the party-goers helped – in fact, none were anywhere around.
We wouldn’t have minded, but we hadn’t even been invited to the celebrations. It looked like this party had happened, in a cupboard, while we were away and had been organised by mice.
Now we were back, the tiny revellers had packed their bags and moved on.
Organising celebrations – welcome ones – is something the local animal rescue centre, Mayhew, know how to do well.
Fortunately, for us, they are organising two soon, to which, unlike the mouse party, we are all invited.
On Sunday October 7 (11.30am), in order to celebrate rescue pets everywhere, Mayhew is organising The Great Rescue Ramble on Hampstead Heath (meeting point is the bandstand).
This event highlights the message if you want a pet Adopt Don’t Shop. Everyone, including all dogs, whether rescued or not, are welcome on the ramble.
You can choose between a leisurely 3km walk or a more challenging 5km walk. There will be a scavenger hunt, stalls and games. For details see themayhew.org and to book your place, email events @mayhewanimalhome.org. Entry is £5 per adult or £2 per child/concessions.
The ramble will be raising funds for animals like the gorgeous Ripley. Fortunately for her, as a stray, she found herself lost in the vicinity of Mayhew where she is being cared for until a home is found. If you would like to offer Ripley a loving home, she’s waiting at Mayhew, Trenmar Gardens, Kensal Green.
The second celebration being organised by Mayhew is an evening in aid of Mayhew International on Sunday October 14 (6.30pm 8.30pm). Mayhew doesn’t just work with animals and communities in this country but also works with animals and communities abroad, particularly in Afghanistan, Georgia, Russia and India. In these places, they focus on aspects such as rabies vaccination and how to help the large number of free-roaming cats and dogs. They also train veterinary personnel in shelter medicine. The evening will tell us about their work with all funds raised going towards their animal welfare work in Kabul.
The Mayhew International Evening takes place at Burgh House, Hampstead. Tickets are £15 each which includes reception drinks, nibbles on arrival and musical entertainment. They can be obtained from events@mayhewanimalhome.org. Guest hosts are Rula Lenska and Peter Egan. Issy (left) and Stephano