Friday 28 December 2012

Success Stories of 2012

As we are now reaching the end of 2012, I wanted to look forward to the New Year by ending with some of our success stories from this year. Unfortunately, we sometimes do have animals brought in to us that we cannot save. Thankfully, these are the minority and, as the stories below show, the majority of the time we are left with heart-warming success stories. It makes everything we do worth-while.

Dusty


Handsome Dusty at the Centre
Dusty was brought into us by a refuse collector who thankfully heard his cries from inside a dustbin. Just in the nick of time as well, as a few seconds later poor Dusty would have been crushed. Luckily he was uninjured and seemed to be none the worse for wear. Shortly after he was rescued, a wonderful lady rang the Centre, wanting to adopt two cats. She came down to us and met Dusty and Storm. It was love at first sight and she took them home to live with her, her family and her other rescue cats, where they have quickly settled in. Dusty’s new owner called her a couple of days after she took him home, thanking us for him as he had become ‘her little shadow’. What a happy ending for this chap!



Hachi


Tiny Hachi being bottle-fed

Hachi and his five brothers and sisters were brought into us when they were only a few days old. They needed round the clock care and so they were taken in by one of our brilliant foster families. They hand-raised them, feeding them at all hours (many sleepless nights!) and doing everything their mother would normally do for them. Against the odds, four of the six puppies survived and when they were nine weeks old they came back to the Centre to find new homes. They were quickly snapped up and have now happily settled in with their new families! Below is a picture of Hachi all grown up in his new home.

Big Boy Hachi in his new home!
Poppy

Poppy was in a horrendous condition

Poppy was one of our high-profile stories from this year. She was found abandoned at night, by the side of a country road. Thankfully, a lovely lady spotted Poppy’s eyes shining in her headlights and, at risk to herself, stopped to investigate. It was Poppy’s lucky day as if she had been left in the ditch much longer she would certainly have died. She was severely emaciated, her fur was patchy and she had sores on her joints. Her rescuer called National RSPCA, who arranged for her to stay at the Vets we use overnight. The next morning our volunteer driver, Dean, brought Poppy in to us from the Vets. Straight away Dean bonded with Poppy. It’s not hard to see why, despite all she had been through Poppy was still so trusting and just wanted love. Once she began on the road to recovery, Dean took her home on foster, to live with him and his other dog, Soda. With regular meals, love and exercise, Poppy slowly began to recover and now she is a different dog! Looking at her, you would never guess the trauma she has had in her past. Dean and Soda couldn’t bear to be parted from Poppy after all they had been through with her, and he has now adopted her.


All recovered, she looks like a new dog!
Sasha

The gorgeous Sasha enjoying a fuss

Sasha is a beautiful Collie X Akita, who for some reason everybody passed by. She was loved by all the staff and volunteers, but members of the public never seemed to stop at her kennel. She had a reserve which unfortunately was taken off, and it seemed as though it would never be her turn to leave! Being part Collie, Sasha is very clever – she picked up commands with ease and quickly adapted to clicker training. Combined with her beautiful face, and her easy temperament, she would make a perfect dog. Finally, a family of three came to look around the Centre on the off-chance there would be a suitable dog here. The teenage daughter spotted Sasha and absolutely fell in love. They never looked back and Sasha is now well settled with her loving, new family who said they couldn’t believe their luck.



Rapunzel & Cinderella
Rapunzel & Cinderella were part of the ‘Disney Kitten’ litter! They came into the Centre when they were 8 weeks old and suffering from cat flu. They recovered and were placed up for adoption and their brother found his new home quickly. However Rapunzel, Cinderella and their sister Mulan were not so lucky. The fact that they were slightly larger than some of the other kittens we had in, combined with them being plain black, meant they were with us for quite some time. Although they were slightly more timid than some of the kittens and cats we had in, after a few minutes of bringing them round they were like different cats, and were very affectionate. At the start of December, Rapunzel & Cinderella were spotted by a couple who had come to look around the Centre. They were soon happily settling in to their new home. Rapunzel has now been renamed ‘Pumpkin’ and Cinderella is affectionately known as ‘Cinders’. Their new owners have given us an update: “Pumpkin is the most curious of the two, whilst Cinders was a little timid to start with. They have settled in now and have found their voices at dinner time! They like to run up our curtains and watch our indoor fish tank. They have a cosy basket and like to snuggle up together and clean each other. Both now have matching blingy collars! They are lovely personable cats who just needed a warm, loving home. Thank you for letting us have them.”

Happily snoozing in their new home
Sunrise


Posing at the Centre



Sunrise the rabbit unfortunately had a long stay with us, despite the fact that she had a stunning coat and was a friendly girl. Eventually, months after she came into us, she was rehomed earlier this year. Now she can get the love, attention and space and that she desperately needed.




Squirrel

Beautiful Squirrel is still waiting for a home

Squirrel is a little different from the other success stories, as she is still waiting for a home. However, we still count her as a success due to her dramatic rescue! The RSPCA had a phone call from a worried member of the public who spotted Squirrel and her three kittens high up in a tree – it seemed like she thought that would be a good place to give birth! One of our Inspectors was sent out and she called in the Fire Brigade to help with the rescue. Luckily all four were brought safely back to the ground and they were sent off to a foster home. When the kittens (aptly named Conker, Ash & Willow) were old enough, the little family was brought back to the Centre to be rehomed. The three kittens were quickly snapped up, now it’s just Squirrel searching for a home where she will be safe and loved for the rest of her days.

Tuesday 4 December 2012

Goodbye, Patch

This blog post is all about Patch the Spaniel, who was a beloved dog at the Centre. For those of you who weren't following us a few years ago, he came into us in August 2009 with a flea allergy. He was in a bad way and in desperate need of some TLC.

Unfortunately, Patch was 14 when he came in to us, so the chance of him being rehomed was reduced. He lived behind Reception for a year and bonded with the staff, particularly with Malcolm. Everywhere Malcolm went, Patch wanted to go too.

In 2010 Mark & Lisa came into the Centre to view the dogs and spotted Patch. It was love and they decided to take him home to live with them and their existing dog.

For two years Patch was given the love and attention he deserved with a wonderful family. He bonded with the other dogs in his new family and had a new lease of life. Sadly, early this year Patch passed away. We are so happy that he had those lovely last years and he will always be fondly remembered by the staff.






Monday 19 November 2012

OZZIE

silly rolly polly dog

Smile
Hello, My name is Ozzy and I am a 6 year old male Staffy. I came into the shelter as my owner could no owner care for me. I Love people and once you meet me I will soon have you in stitches as I am so comical. I love to have my belly tickled and will roll around until you do so. I am so soft and soppy some of the staff think I may be a teddy bear in disguise. My only down side (and this i'm not proud of) is that when I was a pup I was not introduced to dogs properly and now I do not know how to react around them. At a distance I can cope but up close I panic, meaning at the moment I have to be walked on a muzzle. However dont let this put you off, I dont mind at all, and if you talk to the staff they will let you know what to do to help me manage this. I really am a wonderful dog and very very loyal. If you can come and see me I would be very grateful. I'm looking forward to meeting you.

                                                            My Video


Friday 9 November 2012

Spotty the rabbit gets ready for winter

Hello my name is Spotty
Hello everyone, burrrrrrr its getting cold outside! now those winter nights are drawing in dont forget to make sure us bunnys have plenty of hay in our beds to keep us warm threw the long nights, its a great idea to ad several layers of newspaper under your bunnys top sawdust flooring to be sure we are extra snuggly. When the frost starts coming it is important to make sure our toilet area is kept nice and dry too so that nothing in there freezes (if you know what i mean) . I was listening to the staff talking the other day and i over heard them saying you can now buy wonderful thinks like hutch and bottle cozys what a great idea now i need not worry about my water freezing in the winter months. if you dont have theese new fangle dangle things you can easily make your own, covering our cages with a blanket really does help and even several old socks over our water bottles helps keep the chill out. im so glad i have a lovely big hay rack too this not only helps keep my teeth in trim but also stops mme from getting bored tand ensures im getting enough to eat along with my regular meals of burgess rabbit excel. i really have landed on my feet here thank goodness that nice man found me and brought me to the centre when i lost my way home. although i love it here its not the same as being someones pet i need someone to love and they can love me in return, are you looking for a new bunny? i could be the one for you? x x spotty x x

Thursday 4 October 2012

Bark in the Park




My name is Simba and I'm here to tell you about the dog show we're having on Sunday 7th October at Derby County Cricket Ground.



Apparently the dog show was supposed to be in the summer, but that horrible rain we had meant it was postponed to this weekend. Paws crossed the weather holds out on Sunday! At the minute the weather forecasters say it's just going to be cloudy, so looks like our luck is in.

The day sounds like lots of fun! There's lots of people with stalls, an ice cream van, childrens games and a big bouncy slide! Add on the dog show and it's going to be a great day.

If you've got a dog to bring along you can enter them in lots of categories:
- Waggiest Tail
- Best Set of Gnashers
- Happiest Vintage (over 7 years)
- Happiest Inbetweenie (1-7 years)
- Happiest Puppy (12 weeks-12 months)
- Best Sausage Catcher
- Egg & Spoon Race (Humans under 13 years)
- Egg & Spoon Race (Humans over 13 years)
- Best Junior Handler
- Best Adult Handler
- Rescue Dog of the Day

All the winners are put into the final category of the day: Dog of the Day!

I think if I took part I'd definitely win the Waggiest Tail category, and the Happiest In-Betweenie. I'm a happy dog, I just want some fuss, some treats and a play! I might even be lucky enough to go for the day because some of the lovely dog walkers are taking dogs up there, and I might get picked!

I hope lots of you turn up and help to raise money for the Centre. It gives dogs like me, and cats (although I don't like those) and small furries, a place to be cared for until our new owners come along and find us.

Thank you!

Simba xxxx


Monday 24 September 2012

Gorgeous Genie

Prrrr... I've still managed to keep on purring despite this hideous rain. Can anyone spare a nice warm home as I'm stuck in the cattery with nothing to do? I'm so friendly. I would be such good company on cold, winter nights.

Also, just a quick reminder that there's a Wag and Walk taking place this Sunday at Darley Park. The walk starts at 11am. See you there. Hopefully the sun will be shining.

Wednesday 19 September 2012

Sasha the Superstar!

My name is Sasha and at the moment I live at the RSPCA Centre in Derby. I'm a bit of a mix really between an Akita and a Labrador - but the staff here say I'm very pretty!

Here I am licking my lips after I'd been given a treat - YUM YUM!

I really love people, because here all the people give me treats or cuddles, and I really like both of those things! I don't mean to blow my own trumpet, but I'm pretty clever too. Lizzie has been teaching me all sort of tricks, using something she calls a Clicker, and I'm starting to be the bee's knees at most of them. Here's a video that Leanne took of me learning today.

I really love learning these tricks because it keeps my mind active, it keeps me occupied and, best of it, I get treats! I enjoy playing with toys but really, nothing compares to treats. As Lizzie says, I'm very 'treat-orientated'.

The staff tell me I'm one of the friendliest dogs around because I just love people. However, I'm not all that keen on other dogs really. It can just be a bit too much for me! I wouldn't really want to share my house with one, let's put it that way.

Here's another picture - I'm very happy in this picture because Auntie Lizzie is giving me a lovely back-scratch after I'd done all of my tricks:

Can you see me grinning?!

I'd just done lots of tricks, like the ones you see in the video, so I think I really deserved that back scratch, don't you?

I've been here at the Centre for a long time now. And nobody has even come in to see me. Well, the dog walkers come in and take me for a walk, and Lizzie and the other staff work with me and play with me in the yard. But, nobody has come in who wants to take me home with them. I hope my new owner is just around the corner, because I promise you, I will be a great dog! I would especially like somebody who will carry on with my training, because I really love it!

Thank you for listening to me,

Sasha xxx


Monday 17 September 2012

Remember me?

For those of you who don't remember me. My name's Poppy. I was brought to the centre in May in a dreadful state. I had been left abandoned on the side of a road when a kind dog lover found me and brought me here to the RSPCA centre in Derby.

I was in dreadful state when they found me. I was completely emaciated. My ribs were sticking through my skin but I was a brave girl and still managed to wag my tail, even though I was covered in sores and very weak.

I'm much better now, as you can see, so I'm going on a sponsored walk to help save dogs like me (and cats too)! 
If you and your pooch would like to come along and join me then please call the Centre on 01332 344620 or email leanne.derbyrspca@hotmail.co.uk for more information. It's at Darley Park on Sunday 30th September. If you don’t have your own dog you can sponsor me by making a donation via JustTextGiving by texting POPP30 followed by the amount you wish to donate e.g. POPP30 £5 to 70070, or call the Centre to enquire about other ways to donate.





I hope to see you all at Darley Park on the 30th! You can register in the car park by the Abbey Pub from 10.30am and the walk starts at 11am. See you then!

Thursday 13 September 2012

Wonderful new dog garden!

Hi!

My name is Yogi and I'm here to tell you all about the new garden that the nice people here at the RSPCA have built for us dogs in our dog yard.

The husband of our Branch Manager, Stu, brought in lots of bricks and wood for Adam and Matt (they look after me!) to start building the garden, with Lizzie. Us dogs were all excited because we could tell there was something interesting happening. Even though the weather wasn't great, all the staff seemed really happy and enthusiastic about something.

Here's a picture of them part-way through!

I was a bit confused at this stage - why were they taking up our dog yard with this weird looking thing?? Then in came the soil!


Lizzie is looking very proud in this picture. There was a long way to go though until I realised what was going on.


Wait...this looks familiar...is that...could it be....grass?

IT IS GRASS!

We're all so excited to try it out! The staff have told us we've got to wait a while for it to settle though, so it's been cordoned off. But if I'm still here when it's ready to use (hopefully I won't be, and I'll have my own garden to play in!) then I'll be straight on there :-D

If you'd like to take me home to use your garden, instead of this one, then please come into the Centre to meet me. I'm very friendly and cuddly! I might not be a pedigree, but you'll find no dog as happy and jolly as me. You can come and see me everyday except Wednesdays, between 12pm and 4pm.

Over and out!

Yogi xx

Tuesday 11 September 2012

Roll Up, Roll Up!

This is just a quick blog post to let you know that we have a vacancy here at Derby RSPCA, for an Income Generation Manager. Here are the details below!


Income Generation Manager – 35 hours per week
Salary up to £17k commensurate with experience

Derby RSPCA is looking for a dynamic, organised and focused individual to drive forwards the vital area of income generation.

The role includes fundraising, retail development, corporate partnerships and maximising grant and sponsorship opportunities.

Derby RSPCA is one of the leading animal welfare charities in the area and the successful individual has the opportunity to take the organisation to the next level of welfare delivery for local animals in need. 


  
For an application form, job description and person specification please Email: info@rspcaderby.org.uk or Tel: 01332 344620

Vacancy Application Closing 28th September 2012

45 Abbey Street, Derby, DE22 3SJ
www.rspcaderby.org.uk

Friday 7 September 2012

Zak's Our Man!

Hi Everyone,

You might have heard about me before, my name is Zak and I'm living here at the RSPCA for the moment. Actually, I've been living in kennels for quite a lot of my life really. I'm treated well and I know the staff all love me, but I see all the dogs around me going to new homes and I can't help but wonder what is wrong with me. Everyone tells me that there's nothing wrong with me, and I'm lovely, but why hasn't anybody taken me home yet?

I work really hard learning new tricks and I'm very clever! I've been told that I'd make quite the agility dog. Here's a little video of me playing agility with Lizzie!


I'm very cuddly and just want some love and attention really. I'm only about 4 so there's plenty of life in me yet! I know my colour can put some people off, but if you look closely and spend some time with me you'll realise that I can be the best friend you've ever had :) I get very excited when I play so I can bounce a little bit but I'm very good at sitting when you tell me to.

If you'd like to come and meet me please call the Centre on 01332 344620 or come in and see me! The Centre is open 12-4 every day except for Wednesdays. At the minute on a Thursday it's open until 7pm too!

Lots of love

Zak xxx

Tuesday 4 September 2012

Fosterer Appeal!


Hi everyone!

We're two new arrivals to the Centre and the staff have asked us to talk to you about fosterers. We're not very old, only 3 weeks, but we've picked up quite a bit from what the staff have told us.

Apparently, if an animal needs a little bit more looking after then they go off with a very special person called a fosterer, who lets them live at their house until they are ready to go to a home forever. At the minute there are lots of us kittens in here, too many to stay! And lots of mummy cats who are waiting to have babies are coming in too. Unfortunately we don't have our mummy anymore, we got separated and left all alone, so now there's just the two of us. At least we have each other. Here we are having a nice cuddle from Alex.


Anyway, there isn't enough room here at the Centre for all of us, and when us kittens are very small it's nice to go to a home to give us lots of one-to-one attention. Also, sometimes cats can be quite poorly when they come in, and some special care is needed! There are lots of these wonderful people who give up their homes for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. But at the minute there are so many of us needing foster homes that there just aren't enough fosterers!

If you think you're one of those lovely people who could take a cat or some kittens home with them and give them some TLC then please get in touch with the nice staff here at the Centre. The phone number is 01332 344620 - they would love to hear from you! If you can't get through then send an email to leanne.derbyrspca@hotmail.co.uk.

Thank you! Please think about it :)

Lots of furry cuddles and snuggles xxxx


Tuesday 21 August 2012

It's a hard life...




Yawn. It's a hard life here at the RSPCA especially when everyone is all excited about this Wag and Walk that's happening on 30th September at Darley Park. Just because Derby RSPCA is 140 years old! They're looking for 140 dogs (and their owners of course) to join in a celebratory dog walk around Darley Park. It's only £5 to register. You can also find people to sponsor you too, if you like (although personally I think you would be better off sponsoring us cute kittens). Dogs! Pah! Nothing's as cool as us cats. Well, we'll just continue chilling here until all the fuss is over but if you do fancy joining the dogs, the walk starts from 11am onwards. You can collect a registration/sponsorship form from the RSPCA at 45 Abbey Street or email karen.carter@rspcaderby.org.uk.


Well shiver me timbers!!!

SQUAWK PRESS: you won't believe this but Peg Leg Pete has run off with our sausages and burgers!!!  He's a dastardly villain that Peg Leg Pete but we'll make sure we get them back when he pays us a visit on the 8th September at the RSPCA Centre on Abbey Street. In the meantime, we'd be really grateful of any donations. Has anyone got any spare sausages, burgers, rolls or disposable BBQs that they could donate for our Pirate's Fair? If you have, feel free to drop them into the centre or email karen.carter@rspcaderby.org.uk.

Ahoy me hearties!!!

Ahoy me hearties, it's us parrots again. Thought we'd have a quick squawk about this here Pirate's Fair that we've heard is happening on the 8th September from 12 - 4pm at the RSPCA centre at 45 Abbey Street. There's a Treasure Hunt at 3pm and Peg Leg Pete is paying us a visit! There'll be stalls and games for the whole family and Captain BBQ will also rustling up a few tasty treats! Come and join in the fun.

Wednesday 15 August 2012

Hi everyone,
my name is Feather and I have just been found in a cardboard box with my 5 little babies. I had them about 3 days ago and didn’t really know what to do or where to go, so I stayed in the box to keep us all safe. I was so relieved when a kind person found me this morning and bought me here to Derby RSPCA. The staff have given me food and water and a clean bed but unfortunately I am in the manager’s office at the moment as there is no room for me. However i’m pretty sure that I heard them saying it would be good if we had more fosterers? I didn’t know what this meant so I listened further.
Apparently the Derby RSPCA has very kind people who look after animals in their own home (sounds like heaven to me!) and this can be for a variety of reasons, but I think at the moment because they are over run with cats & kittens like me they are in desperate need of more people to help (just for a little while until kitten season eases). Needless to say I was very quick to get my claws onto the keyboard to write this blog in a hope that perhaps you are able to help us all here? If so please contact lizziemalachowski@yahoo.com or lucy.rspca.derby@live.co.uk and they will be able to tell you more about fostering. They even have a telephone and their no is 01332 344620! I know that they are closed today so email would be purrrrrfect but please call tomorrow if not.
Yours Hopefully
Feather (and babies)

Tuesday 14 August 2012

Amazon Parrots pay a flying visit (hopefully) to Derby RSPCA




Ollie
 Hi everyone,

I’m Ollie and the handsome boy in the other picture is Nick. I was nominated to do the talking (sorry I mean squawking) today as Nick is still a little shy due to his difficult start in life, but we are sure he will bond well with a new owner especially if they use  his penchant for oranges!!! Nick is approximately 6 years old and I’m around that age too! I do make the staff laugh as I wolf whistle at the ladies passing by and also ask lots of questions too.
We are both, wait for it……………......................
Red-Lored (Amazing!) Amazon Parrots who are looking for a new forever home, and are now ready for adoption!

We both came to the Centre together after our rescuer contacted the RSPCA and asked for help as he could no longer care for us.
He very kindly saved us from a life of neglect and has spent time nurturing us back to good health. We would like to thank him very much and will really miss him.


Nick


Wednesday 8 August 2012

Well the good staff here at the Centre thought it would be a good 1000 tweet to do a blog on me. (Not sure what a tweet is or a blog come to that) but here is my happy story.
I came here with my good mate Josie, who wrote her great blog on 7th August. Sadly Josie is still at the Centre and I am very sad to be leaving her but the staff have assured me that there is a special person out there to adopt her.
I had been at the Centre quite a while as I am a very nervous boy believe it or not, but the staff had every faith that a special person would be along to adopt me, and they were right!
A couple of weeks ago a great guy showed an interest in me and I was over the moon, obviously the staff had to tell him all about me and how I needed time to trust people again. But do you know that over the last couple of weeks my adopter has been to the Centre and spent time getting to know me. We have been on walks together with the staff and played in the exercise area. I have learnt to trust again and I am so happy!
Please hang in there Josie as it will be your turn soon I’m sure.
Thank you to all the staff and of course to my special guy for giving me the chance to be a part of his life.

Tuesday 7 August 2012

Hi everyone! I’m Josie and I’m one of the many animals who are desperate to find a lovely new home. I’m about 4 years old and as you may be able to see from my picture, I’m a medium size black cross breed. I came to the Centre via an RSPCA inspector along with my friend Mikey. He’ll be leaving me soon to live with his new owners, which is great for him but very sad for me! I’ve had a fantastic time with the lovely staff here but I’m ready to move on too. Are you interested in making my dream come true? Here’s a bit more about me.

The staff are telling me that I’ve been losing a bit of weight lately so it’s really important that I can find a loving home as soon as possible as I’m not coping with my stay here as well as I thought. I’m really friendly but a bit shy so I need someone who can take me out and about and show me around my new world.
I’ve never lived with small children before so I’m looking for home with children aged 15 or above. I’d be best as the only dog in the household and I’m not a cat fan (are many dogs?) so I won’t fit into a household with moggies I’m afraid. I’ve got lots of love and affection to give and you can guarantee that I’ll be  a loving  companion and best friend! If you’d like to give me a home, please get in touch with the Derby RSPCA staff so they can pass on the good news to me!
Please call-01332 344620. Email-info@rspcaderby.org.uk

Wednesday 25 July 2012

Hi all!
The staff here have asked me to do a little blog about myself in   a hope that there is someone out there who can make a little space for an old fella like me. My name is Nike but I often hear the staff calling me “Gramps” and I guess that’s because I’m 10+ years (mm that’s  about 75 of my cat years) doesn’t time fly!
Don’t get me wrong it’s not been an easy life for me by a long shot as I was rescued by a lovely RSPCA Inspector having been found living rough on the streets and having to fend for myself. My favourite hobbies are snoozing, eating and having a little play. I love to cuddle and I promise I will make you a fabulous companion. Can you find it in your hearts to let me live out my twilight years in a happy home with you. It’s time to hang up my running shoes I think as I much prefer fluffy slippers now. Please call the Centre 01332 344620 or drop in and see me as sadly I’m here still waiting! Please don’t forget the Centre is open for late night viewing on a Thursday until 7pm!