Animal Rescue with Marion Garnett
Dedicated animal expert Marion Garnett, founder of the Ealing Animal Charities Fair, continues her column
“DANCE like no one is watching” may be a well-known saying but the message I received from a recent evening spent with the animal protection group Animal Aid in which they talked about Undercover Investigations was “Treat animals like the whole world is watching”.
And they are experts in Undercover Investigations. For example, in their undercover investigations in fifteen British slaughterhouses, they found evidence of lawbreaking in fourteen of them with animals being deliberately beaten, burnt with cigarettes and ill-treated. As a result of such courageous work and the suffering which emerged, last year the government made it mandatory for all abattoirs in England to have CCTV to monitor animal treatment – (not that we should assume this means that all problems have now gone away).
Living as though someone is watching you could make the world a kinder place for both animals and humans. If people thought their treatment of others was being recorded and they would have to account for what they’ve done, they may think twice before committing acts of unkindness or cruelty, such as abandoning or neglecting animals.
It would be interesting to know how many people watched this skinny stray, Aaron, struggling to move himself around before some kind person took him to the RSPCA Animal Hospital. When he arrived he was found to have an old injury to one of his back legs which was so bad it needed to be amputated. He is recovering well and, with his poorly leg now gone, he’s scooting around his pen as though he’s feeling the best he’s felt for ages. Aaron is so friendly and such good company I had to drag myself away from him. If you can offer Aaron a loving home, he’s waiting at the RSPCA Cat Adoption Centre, Burket Close, Southall.
Talking of recordings, it’s worth noting that included in the rules for this year’s fantastic RSPCA Young Photographer Awards competition, is that photos of animals that are suffering or wounded are amongst those not allowed.
The competition includes a wide range of categories such as Picture Perfect Pets and The Human Impact on Animals. There are also tips on how to take photos. The competition closes on August 16 at 12pm. For details, see young.rspca.org.uk.
Don’t forget the RSPCA Southall Cat Adoption Centre and Clinic Summer Fete is taking place (address above) on Saturday August 10 (11am-3pm). There will be arts, crafts, face painting, games and a BBQ. Admission is £1 plus a donation of cat food.