Animal Rescue
THIS year’s Ealing Animal Charities Fair is fast approaching and we’re delighted to share the news that, for the first time, one of the speakers at the Fair will be Dr Alison
Cronin, director of the world-famous ape rescue centre in Dorset, Monkey World.
Many readers will be familiar with the work of Alison through the television series, Monkey Life, which documents life at the centre.
It shows how primates who have had a difficult past because, for example, they have been snatched from the wild or rescued from the pet trade can be given the opportunity to live with other primates of their own kind in as natural environment as possible.
It shows their squabbles, craftiness, breath-taking agility and vulnerability. Alison will be at the Fair representing her late husband’s charity, the Jim Cronin Memorial Fund (jimcroninmemorialfund.org) which works to relieve the suffering of non-human primates in this country and abroad.
The Ealing Animal Charities Fair (ealinganimalsfair.london) takes place at Hanwell Methodist Church, Church Road, W7 1DJ on Saturday March 2 (10.30am4pm). There is a fantastic programme of talks plus lots of stalls.
Another first in the animal welfare world is the world premiere on January 31 at St James Church, Piccadilly of the musical work Animal Requiem by Rachel Fuller (wife of The Who guitarist Pete Townshend) featuring the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and Alfie Boe.
This work has been created in order to honour animals we have loved and lost and also as a memorial for all animals across the world affected by cruelty, negligence and abuse.
Before the concert, members of the audience will be invited to light a candle in memory of an animal.
If, by the time you read this, it’s too late for you to get a ticket, all is not lost. The intention of Rachel Fuller is to make the orchestral and choral score of Animal Requiem available for any institution so that it can be performed by others.
If you’re in a position to do so, maybe think about arranging for it to be performed at a venue near you. Or you can order an album at animalrequiem.com.
Finally, don’t let’s forget our animal who needs a home this week. Biscuit was snuggling up to the heater when I met him at the National Animal Welfare Trust rehoming centre near Watford. If you would like Biscuit to snuggle up to you instead, see nawt.org.