Animal Rescue with Marion Garnett
Dedicated animal expert Marion Garnett, founder of the Ealing Animal Charities Fair, continues her column
A new year can be for new experiences. And, if you’ve not had the sort of Christmas this year, you would have liked, maybe you can make a mental note to volunteer next time for Crisis at Christmas, the charity which provides help for homeless people particularly at Christmas.
Volunteering at Crisis is an experience like no other. Last Christmas, 12,000 Crisis volunteers cared for 4,700 guests. For several years, I’ve volunteered for the dog service which means you look after the dogs of rough sleepers while the guests access the services on offer, have their meals and sleep overnight.
Spending time with guests makes you realise that many of us are only a couple of wrong decisions away from rough sleeping ourselves. Crisis needs volunteers with a variety of skills such as hairdressing, catering and healthcare as well as general volunteers. If you’re looking for something new, bear this in mind when volunteering opens next October at crisis. org.uk.
As usual the dog service was full of love for the dogs and their owners. Not just from the volunteers but also from the animal charity, Mayhew, who work in partnership with Crisis to set the dog service up and ensure it runs smoothly. Mayhew’s Animal Welfare Officers visit regularly over the seven days/ nights the centre is open and on one day, they bring their vet and the area is transformed into a veterinary surgery.
When the Christmas shelter closes, if no accommodation has been found, guests are back on the streets. Rough sleepers with dogs find it particularly difficult to find accommodation as hostels and rented places often do not accept guests with dogs – a situation which needs to change.
It’s worth knowing that, if you see a rough sleeper you are worried about, StreetLink may be able to help. This is a government-funded initiative helping people off the streets. You can call StreetLink on 0300 500 0914 or contact them via streetlink.org.uk and they will aim to connect that person to services.
Blossom knows what it’s like to live on the streets. This beautiful young dog came into the care of Mayhew after being found by dog walkers living amongst bin bags in a park. She was very scared. In Mayhew’s care she has blossomed and is now ready for rehoming. She is still shy but makes friends easily. Blossom is energetic and has a high chase drive. If you are interested in homing Blossom, call 020 8962 8000 or see themayhew.org.