Animal Rescue with Marion Garnett
Dedicated animal expert Marion Garnett, founder of the Ealing Animal Charities Fair, continues her column
THE inspirational atmosphere in the drawing room of Jane Austen’s House in Hampshire is tangible.
It’s the house where she lived for the last eight years of her life and where she wrote not only her novels but also eloquent letters to her sister, Cassandra. As I go round the house, I’m reminded how many of the words she wrote can apply to our relationships to animals as well as people.
Take, for example, “You are inimitable, irresistible. You are the delight of my Life” (from her letters). Many owners who adore their dog, horse or other animal wouldn’t disagree.
And then there’s “If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more”. How many people, on the loss of a beloved pet, find it difficult to talk about it, even several years later – particularly if they didn’t have a peaceful death.
In 1808, Jane wrote to her sister “I have so many matters to write about, that my paper will hardly hold it all. Little matters they are to be sure, but highly important”.
This week, in the column, we’re focussing on three little chinchillas that have come into the care of Hillingdon RSPCA. The welfare of chinchillas might, to some, seem a “little matter” but not to the chinchillas involved. For each animal born, including chinchillas, their life to them is “highly important”.
These three chinchillas are Elvis, Liz and their nine-week old baby, Boris. They have lots of energy and need an enclosure with plenty of space. Hillingdon RSPCA would like all three chinchillas to go to an experienced chinchilla home. Possibly with the parents going together (Elvis has now been castrated) and the baby being homed with another friendly chinchilla. If you’re interested, see rspca.org.uk or call 01895 833417.
In her book, Sense and Sensibility, Jane writes “It isn’t what we say or think that defines us but what we do”. To our shame, the RSPCA has released figures showing that what some people are doing is carrying out acts of animal cruelty. Statistics show there were 1031 reports of intentional harm against animals in Greater London made to the RSPCA last year. This was more than any other county in England and Wales.
Jane died at 41 years with her book, Sanditon, unfinished. The RSPCA figures show fighting animal cruelty is also unfinished, including in our area. There is still work for us to do. See the RSPCA Cancel Out Cruelty campaign (rspca.org.uk) for how we can help.