Animal Rescue with Marion Garnett

Dedicated animal expert Marion Garnett, founder of the Ealing Animal Charities Fair, continues her column

JACKIE doesn’t usually make appeals so when she does, you take notice.

Jackie is the Manager of the National Animal Welfare Trust (NAWT) rehoming centre near Watford and she recently made a special appeal for a foster home and, then, a permanent home, for Deirdre.

The first part of Jackie’s appeal has been successful as Deirdre is now in foster care but a forever home is still needed. Deirdre is an older Lurcher who was struggling in kennels. She came into NAWT’s care as a skinny stray who was finding it difficult to walk due to muscle wastage in her back legs. Clearly unhappy in kennels, the last straw was having dental work done after which she became reluctant to eat or move.

But, Jackie was right. After going into foster care she is much happier. Her foster carer says Deirdre exercises little and often and is getting stronger. She’s a friendly, gentle girl who could, possibly, live with a similar older dog. If you’re interested in homing Deirdre, see nawt.org.uk.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, (RSPB) doesn’t usually make appeals like this but when it does, people take notice.

The RSPB’s appeal starts “Make no mistake, we are angry”. Their anger is caused by what they describe as the government’s unprecedented attack on nature and the laws that protect it. The attack includes the government’s recent plans to amend or scrap crucial environmental laws such as the Habitat Regulations which protect some of our most vulnerable wildlife.

These regulations defend our clean water, clean air, clean beaches and rivers. The government has also announced plans to create at least 38 “Investment Zones” which, according to the RSPB could “trash planning rules” – meaning commercial developments could be incentivised to damage nature with little or no restriction. Rumours have also circulated the government is set to scrap a scheme that would have supported farmers to create space for habitats. The RSPB says just one of these actions would be a disaster but taken together is an attack on nature.

They point out the UK is one of the most nature depleted countries on the planet and these plans are a huge step in the wrong direction. Nature is not a negotiable luxury. It’s what our lives depend on. The RSPB and others such as The Wildlife Trusts are urging us not to stand by and let this happen. At the very least we need to contact our MP. For a template letter see rspb.org.uk

Deirdre