Animal Rescue with Marion Garnett
Dedicated animal expert Marion Garnett, founder of the Ealing Animal Charities Fair, continues her column
IT WAS unguarded only for a moment but, quick as a flash, the cat saw his opportunity and seized it. My meal was licked. Part of it was now his (the top part anyway). Fortunately it wouldn’t do him any harm.
Pets are opportunists and owners need to be vigilant that they are kept away from items they might enjoy but which harm them. This is especially so at Christmas.
To assist owners with this, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home have compiled an advice sheet to help ensure pets enjoy the festive season safely. For example, most of us know not to feed chocolate to our pets but Battersea remind us to keep chocolate out of reach so pets don’t just help themselves.
Other foods that can be harmful to dogs and cats include onions and garlic.
Mistletoe, ivy, holly and poinsettia plants can cause your dog or cat to have an upset stomach if eaten or chewed. And we should never give them cooked bones.
For more details about Battersea’s advice, go to battersea.org.uk and type festive advice into the search box.
It’s not just animals that make the most of opportunities, people do too.
The following saying, attributed to Stephen Grellet, says “I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do, or any kindness I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again”.
This is such a powerful message and one which guides many of those engaged in humanitarian and animal welfare work.
For example, when Martin, a stray, crossed Battersea’s path, they seized the opportunity to take him in. Can you imagine what it would have been like for Martin if they hadn’t and he had been left homeless outside in the recent freezing weather.
This gorgeous boy is looking for a quiet home where he is the only cat and there are no dogs. If this could be with you, see Martin’s details at battersea.org.uk. One final thought about making the most of opportunities. Don’t forget that a new vet practice, Paws In The City, has opened at Unit 7, Dickens Yard, Ealing.
Because of the current shortage of vets, many people have had difficulty registering their pet with a vet (Gazette Sept 29).
If you’ve found it difficult to register, don’t miss this opportunity. For details, see pawsinthecityx.com or call 020 4519 9857. They also have grooming facilities.