Run for us!

Hi everyone,

My name is Rita and I'm going to tell you a little about myself and the Centre's 140th birthday!

As you can see, I'm missing half of my fur! This is because unfortunately my fur was very matted. This wasn't very comfortable for me so it is quite a relief to have it off, although I feel a bit embarassed about my bare back! But the staff have reassured me that it'll grow back and I'll be beautiful again.

I am told that I'm quite unusual because I'm a ginger girl! Does that tempt you to offer me your knee?

Anyway, moving on to our birthday...This year the RSPCA Centre here will have been open for 140 years! How amazing is that? That means that for all that time they've been helping animals, like me, to find loving new homes.

To celebrate the staff have told me that they're having plenty of fun events!

On the 19th May (the 140th day of the year!) they are holding a big collection in Derby where they are trying to get as many people as they can to donate 140p. That's not much so I hope lots of people can give it!

On the 15th July we're having our annual dog show, this year at Derbyshire County Cricket Club! Apparently this year is going to be better than ever! You can go along and enter your dog into the dog show or just go and look around the stalls, eat some food and generally have a good time.

And on the 3rd June at Carsington Water we're holding our first sporting event. We're having a 7 mile run around the reservoir (eugh, water!) for people who run alot (professionals, are they called?) and a shorter fun run for people who don't eally fancy running that far. As well as that there are going to be lots of stalls and fun activities throughout the day!

If you fancy having a go at one of the runs, check out the website for the event: http://carsington7.jimdo.com/ It's supposed to be lots of fun! The money from the event will go towards keeping the Centre open so animals like me have another chance at life. Please give it a go!

Anyway, that's all from me!

Please pop down to the Centre and meet me, I'll be on my best behaviour :-D xxx

ALFIE

My name is Alfie and I am a distinguished 7 year old male cat with rather fantastic whiskers. You can see on my photo that I have one grey eye this is because when I when I was living on the streets I got an eye abscess that went untreated and by the time I was rescued the eye was beyond repair so I am now blind. I try not to let it bother me and still manage to get around without bumping into things. Everyone at the shelter loves me as I am quite a character and can be a cheeky chap. I love all the fuss and attention I get as everyone feels sorry for me!

Two long-stayers desperate for a new home

We're going to hear from two boys who are desperate for a new home. Ozzy & Taz are Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross-breeds and both of them have been with us far longer than they would have liked.

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Hi,

My name's Taz and I've been at the RSPCA for quite a while now. I'm only 18 months old so there's plenty of life in me!

My favourite thing about being in here is the time I get to spend playing in the yard with some of the people who look after me. The best toy is the ball that they throw for me, especially if I get one of the ones who can throw really far! I love the ball so much that I don't really enjoy giving it back once I've caught it, but I've learnt that if I do give it back then they'll throw it again for me.

My other favourite thing to do is get treats! The staff say how much they love giving me treats because I'm such a gentleman about it and take them very nicely. Here's a picture of me after I've dragged my blanket out into the front of the kennel to get comfy!

The staff have also told me to tell you that I'd be better of in a home with adults only and with somebody who has experience of looking after similar dogs. Apparently they also have to be firm, but fair, because I've been told that I'm very strong-willed. I get upset when people come on to my territory but if I'm in a secure home with somebody to reassure me I think I would be okay.

I haven't had a good life so far really. My old owner just left the house and never came back. I couldn't get out and was trapped inside with nothing. Luckily a nice lady found me and looked after me until somebody called an 'Inspector' could bring me here.

Because I was left alone for so long I don't really want to have to go through that again. So I'd like to go home with somebody who is either at home with me or can take me out and about with them! I need something to do to test my brain because I'm quite a smarty-pants really! I'd really love another go at being somebody's pet. If you're the special person with the time and the expertise to take me home please come and meet me.

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I'm Ozzy and you've already read a lot about me on this blog!

I've been here for quite a while now and I really think it's time for me to find a home. I'm very loveable and you won't find a more loyal dog. All I want to do is have a cuddle and a belly rub.

Here I am begging for a belly rub from Leanne. If you come and see me you'll notice that that's one of the first things I do.

I'm 5 years YOUNG! I love to play, especially when they throw rope toys for me to chase and catch in the yard. That, and cuddles, are my favourite past-times. If you give me love I promise that I will love you back forever!

I came in here because my owner died. I was very sad about it and I still am really because I loved my owner very much, but I feel ready to go on to a new home now.

The staff tell me all the time that they don't know why I'm still here. But I heard them saying that it's probably because I don't like other dogs. I'm sorry, I've tried, but I can't help it. I really don't like other dogs and I just can't change my ways. It means that when I go out for a walk I have to wear a muzzle, which I don't really like but it's not too bad. I still love my walks though!

I know the 'dog thing' might bother some people but I hope you can look past it because I promise that apart from that I will be the best dog you have ever had!

Lots of love & slobbery kisses xxxxxxx

p.s. don't you like my bat ears? Leanne says she thinks they make me look adorable!

Transmitting Cat

Feeling a bit fed up today as my collar is really uncomfortable. I'm expecting to pick up Radio 4 or BBC 2 at any time soon. I'd be happier if I could watch something more interesting than the glass in front of me because that's pretty much all I can see at the moment. This whole tunnel vision thing is a real downer. The others are jealous of my designer collar but frankly I'm not convinced. Any suggestions for a more interesting design would be greatly appreciated; Tudors is sooo last season!!!



Luckily my collar will be coming off soon. It is necessary as I did have an ulcer which has left me blind in one eye but I'm coping well. A kind person found me and took me into the nearest vet and now I'm on the mend here in RSPCA Derby. If anyone can offer me a comfy bed in a quiet home, I will happily help tune your digital channels!

Peapod is feeling lonely

My name is Peapod and I've been here at the RSPCA for quite a long time now.

I was brought in with a few other cats because we'd all been living together. At first we were very scared because we hadn't been around people very much and it was very confusing for us. But now I'm feeling much better. I enjoy being stroked and like to be fussed, although I don't like being picked up!

I even went and lived in a foster home for a while and I liked snuggling up on my foster parent's bed at night. I still get nervous if people approach me though, I'd rather go to them if I want some attention.

I've been living in a cat pod with my friend Tigeress recently but now she has gone to her new home. Although I'm happy for her, I'm feeling lonely now that she's gone and I would love for it to be my turn now. I don't need to be in a home in other cats but I would quite like it because I've always lived with other cats. I just need somewhere with people who are willing to give me time and love. If that is you then please come in and meet me.

Mitzy, The Loveable Scruff!

Hi, I'm Mitzy! I'm known as a loveable scruff because of my crazy fur. Here, take a look! :

I'm already a veteran at this! I was at the RSPCA as a puppy 11 and a half years ago but I got adopted. Unfortunately my owner can't look after me anymore so I've been brought here. I'm a bit confused, but the staff are lovely so I'm not doing too badly at the minute.

I had very itchy skin when I first came in because I've got a flea allergy. I lost fur on my back which makes me a little sad but since I've been having my special baths I'm feeling a lot better and I'm doing to fully recover! Whoever I go and live with will have to make sure I still have my flea treatment, but I'm sure they won't mind when they know it makes me feel so much better.

I might be 12 but there's plenty of life in me! I'm very active and I love being around people - they're my favourite :-) I'm a gentle dog and I love nothing more than giving, and getting, cuddles.

Here I am getting my neck scratched - it's my favourite! I especially enjoy it after I've had a bath, like in the picture below.

I can't hear much at all (deaf as a post is quite appropriate)! But it doesn't hold me back and I think the staff here find it quite endearing really. I would really like a second chance at a new home. Can you give me that?

Delilah the Rabbit

Here is another of our success stories. Delilah the Rabbit was adopted by Penny and her mother about a year ago. Penny has sent her story in to us:

'Hi, I'm Delilah and I'm three years old. When Penny first took me home to live with her I was very shy and thin. I was nervous and didn't know what was going on!

Pretty soon though, it was as if I'd always been there. I had a new best friend, Dylan, and we are inseparable now. I put on weight (from all the yummy food they gave me!) and became very fond of my new owners. They have an amazing garden with lots of room for me to run about and play with Dylan.

Here's a picture of me having a cheeky nibble at the tree in the garden! Doesn't that garden just look like the best place in the world??

Here is my best friend Dylan, he says hi! He also says thank you for looking after me, otherwise he wouldn't have me here today :) Isn't he handsome?

What crazy weather have we been having this last week! Yesterday it even snowed, so me and Dylan went inside in the kitchen to get nice and warm and curled up together with our favourite treats: celery, carrot, oats and parsley. We quickly got through that bowl, I can tell you! We felt so loved!



Thank you to the RSPCA Derby for looking after me and finding me such a great home. I'm so happy here.'