2013 Success Stories

Hi Everybody,

My name is Cheyanne and I'm here to tell you about some of the great animals who have lived in the Animal Centre and gone on to new homes in 2013 (then I will shamelessly advertise myself, as I really really REALLY want a home of my own too!).

Star

Star lived at the Centre before I came. She was brought in when her owner could no longer care for her and, like me, she was at the Centre for a long time. Again, like me, she just didn't seem to appeal to members of the public. All the staff say how lovely she was (I'm sure I would have liked her, I do like so many dogs!). Just when everybody was wondering when she would find a home of her own, the most amazing thing happened. The perfect family walked through the door. They understood Star absolutely and they were so well suited. She liked them straight away and now, months later, she couldn't be doing better. Her new owners love her to bits and rave about her whenever they speak to the staff. Apparently she isn't even nervous around new people now! She really is a lucky dog. Here's a picture of her happy in her new home:

Captain

Not too long ago there was a cat at the Centre that wasn't having any luck...for a reason too - he had a serious attitude problem! Captain was (apparently) a very handsome cat, so lots of people asked about him, but he was so mischievous and naughty that he liked to play with their fingers rather than his toys! We were unsure who would want to take on such a challenge when one of our staff members stepped in. For some reason she really liked his attitude! She took him home and told me that although she has lots more scratches on her now, she loves him to bits.

Captain when he was at the Centre

Steve

Steve was at the Centre for a long time - four months! I sure hope I'm not here that long! The staff were telling me that he was abandoned and was so very sad about it. He got along really well with the dog walkers and was very well behaved, but when he was in his kennel he just barked and barked, which put people off. I can sympathise with him, sometimes I want to bark and howl a lot in my kennel too!

A lovely lady from somewhere in the North saw Steve on our Facebook page and travelled the distance down to the Centre to meet him. She had a home visit before she came and, as it was love at first sight, she decided to adopt him then and there! It's the perfect home for Steve because his lovely adopter spends lots of time with him and he has made friends with her horses as well. He is so much happier. I'm very pleased for him.

Steve looking really chilled out in the sun

Baby Orange (Basil)

Baby Orange was a beautiful parakeet brought into the Centre. I don't know what I think about birds really! They looks like good fun though. The staff didn't think he'd hang around for too long - and they weren't wrong! A pair of fosterers (we have some lovely people who look after us animals in their own homes sometimes) were looking around the Centre when they spotted him. They were in the process of building an aviary in the garden and thought he would be just perfect. As soon as the aviary was built, they came to collect him! The staff told me that there was a bit of a fly in the ointment though...they realised when they got him home that he was so friendly and sociable that he would probably greet anything that came to the aviary - even a cat! On to plan B...Basil, as they named him, has the run of the house when they are in and gets to snooze away in a big parrot cage at night. He really is living the life.

Lucy (Ruby)

Earlier this year a very poorly little kitten was brought to the Centre. The staff called her Lucy. She had very bad cat flu (who knew cats could get colds?!) so she stayed with a fosterer who didn't have any other cats. She lived with them for quite a few months as it took her a long time to get over her flu. The staff didn't really want her to move back into the Centre because she may have been susceptible to becoming poorly again, so they began to advertise her, to try to rehome her from her foster home. 

She was placed on the National RSPCA website (I'm on there too you know!) and somebody called all the way from Gloucester! They came to meet her and decided she was the one for them. They sent the staff a lovely email telling everybody how she'd settled in. Apparently at first she was very scared and wasn't very nice to her new cat best friend, although the cat was always very patient with her. Eventually she settled in very well and now loves her friend and her new mum and dad. It can be quite stressful for us animals when we move home, but we always get there in the end!

Lucy, happy in her new home

Bruno

I was very confused when the staff asked me to tell Bruno's story because we have SO MANY BRUNO DOGS! It must be a very popular name for male dogs. At the moment we have a staffy called Bruno in (he's quite nice too), a Rottweiler called Bruno has just been adopted and then there's THIS Bruno! So you can understand my confusion, but now I understand which one they mean.

This Bruno was here well before my time, earlier in 2013. His dad couldn't look after him anymore and he was very sad about it, but he brought him to the best place he could under the circumstances. The staff were worried that it might take Bruno a long time to find a home because he was a very big dog (bigger than me, even!). Luckily for Bruno, his perfect match walked through the door not long after he arrived. This family was absolutely perfect for him. His new mum was very good at training (and apparently Bruno needed a lot of that) and they had a dog who he got along well with. After a little settling in time, Bruno is now doing very well and they are so happy with him.

Huge Bruno in his new home!

Star (cat!!)

Star must be another popular name. Unlike Cheyanne, which is very unusual and unique (hint, hint!!). Star the cat was another animal who spent a long time at the Centre. She was quite old and had no teeth left! The staff said this just added to her charm because it meant she dribbled when she was being fussed. Even though she was without doubt the most affectionate cat in the Centre and loved everybody she met, she had little to no interest. She went to a foster home for a little while to give her a break from the Centre. When she came back, an old volunteer heard about her via Facebook. She took one look at her and knew she had to have her! She now lives with her canine pals and is very loved and happy.

Leo

Leo came to Derby after he was struggling to find a home at a different RSPCA Centre. He had a truly tough time before the RSPCA rescued him and was lucky to survive. He was still only young, like me. Despite all that, like me, he was full of joy and really loved people! Luckily after he had only been here for a short time he was snapped up and now enjoys life to the full with owners who truly appreciate him - even if he has chewed their curtains. His tail still never stops wagging!

These are just a few of the amazing success stories from 2013. Please help to make more for 2014 by coming to adopt an animal from here - preferably ME!

I may take a bit of work (I am a husky cross after all!) but I'm good on walks and I really really love people. If you're around for a lot of the day (I don't like being on my own) and have had big dogs before then please come and talk to the staff about me. I'd love to meet you :)

Lots of love,

Cheyanne xxxx

Terrific Torties

Hi guys!

Our names are Jen and Joey. We were found in a box when we were only around 3 weeks old with our brother Dawson. It was very scary being in the box without our mum and we didn't know what was happening.

We weren't very well at all because we hadn't been very well looked after but luckily a nice person took us into the RSPCA. They spent lots of time hand-rearing us and giving us lots of attention and food. After a few weeks we got better and were then ready to go to a new home!

We're still a little on the small side for our age but we're growing quickly! Dawson was the lucky one and he was rehomed recently. We're still waiting for our happy ending. We would really like to be rehomed together as we do love each other (and it's great fun to have play fights!).

Can you take us home with you?

Friends Furrrrever

Hi everyone,

My name is Pikachu (don't blame me, the staff thought I looked like a Pikachu!) and I live with my two friends, Jigglypuff and Squirtle.

 Here is Jigglypuff:

And this is Squirtle:

We have spent a lot of time together and really enjoy each other's company. I would really hate to go to a new home and not be able to share it with Squirtle and Jigglypuff. I know it's a lot to ask - because there's three of us we need more space; we'll need a big hutch and run, with lots of space to hop around and play (we do love playtime!). But we're very friendly and I promise we'll give you lots of love and attention if you take us all on!

Lots of love,

Pikachu

Lonely Lucy

My name is Lucy and I live at the RSPCA Centre in Derby at the moment. As lovely as the staff are, I don't want to live here forever but it's hard to be hopeful about getting a home when nobody stops to ask about me.

Everyday people come to look at cats, but nobody seems to want to look at me. I know I'm a black and white cat, and there's quite a few of us out there, but we're all different and we all have our own personalities. 

I love spending time with people and I do enjoy a good cuddle. I have to admit, I'm not a big fan of other cats. I do get along well with some (the ones that gel well with my personality) but I'd be lying if I said I got along with every cat. Dogs are a bit scary as well when they come over and sniff you so really I'd rather not live with a dog, unless it was one of those old ones who doesn't bother about cats!

Really, all I want is a nice place to call home, lots of love and food and a nice comfy bed. Is that too much to ask? I've seen so many cats, including my sister, go to their forever homes. When will it be my turn?

Lucy xx

A is for Ace!

Hi everybody,

My name is Ace - you heard from me a few blog posts again, but Leanne has let me take the reins again because unfortunately I am still here at the Centre :( I try my best to look presentable when people come to see me but the right people still haven't come along and most people still pass me by.

I've heard some people say that it's because I'm a Staffie. Yes, I might be a bit muscly, but I'm a real gentle giant. I love people to bits! Can you look past your pre-conceived ideas about what you think a Staffie is like, and look at the kind of dog I am?

I was left tied to a park bench which was really traumatic for me but I still trust people because I know they're not all like that. The staff here aren't like that! And every day I see dogs going to loving homes with people who aren't like that. I just wish my person would come along.

I do have a bit of a fault - since I've been at the Centre I find it very hard to deal with dogs. You have to understand, it's very stressful being surrounded by barking dogs all day long (i'm quite quiet compared to them!) and so they do irritate me. If I'm trying to have a nap all I have is other dogs barking at me. It's not very nice and for that reason I find it hard to get along with dogs anymore, so I would need to be in a home without any other dogs. Also, for that reason the staff do put something they call a muzzle on me when I go for a walk. It reminds me to behave and it helps to protect me and other dogs really.

Yes, I know it can be off-putting when you know about my fault. But really, nobody is perfect are they? Everybody has something they're not overly proud of. I promise to love you forever, and be devoted to you if you do take me on. After having a bit of a bad start in my life I would love to spend the rest of my days being secure in the knowledge that I am loved, to have a lovely warm bed and lots of yummy food. Isn't that all any dog wants?

Lots of love,

Ace x

Having a bit of a scare!

Halloween is coming up and lots of people are looking forward to having a scare - either by going on a ghost walk, having a spooky party or watching a horror film. That's all good fun, but I had the wrong kind of scare a couple of weeks ago...

Hi, my name is Pearl and I came into the Centre with my daughter, Ruby. Unfortunately, how we came in was the scary part. Our owners were finding it difficult to care for us any longer and so they put us through the gap in the side of the gate at the RSPCA. We were both very scared and ran for cover. Luckily the staff caught us and calmed us down quite quickly - I dread to think what could have happened!

Me after my op!

We were given lots of yummy food and love, and we slowly started to recover from the shock. I've now had my little op to make sure I don't have more babies (one is definitely enough!) and we're ready to go up for adoption to find a new family. I really hope we never have to go through that again so if you're looking for  couple of cats who you will love forever (and who in turn will love you forever!) then please come and see us.

My beautiful daughter, Ruby

Lots of love,

Pearl and Ruby

Neutering's the Name of the Game

I know this blog is specifically for the animals to talk but sometimes I (I'm the one who helps the animals to articulate what they want to say) wrestle it off them if there's a really pressing matter I want to discuss.

This time the issue is the neutering of cats. We've spoken about it many times before but it's just so important that I really feel I need to mention it again. 

This year we have seen an increase in the number of abandoned kittens, pregnant mums and nursing mums coming into the Centre. Year on year ourselves and other rescue centres see this increase. This year we offered a deal over the summer whereby we neutered and micro-chipped cats for a highly reduced rate to try to curb the flow of cats coming into the Centre, however the flow of cats to the Centre never seems to slow.

When members of the public call us because they sadly need to part with their cats the vast majority of the time we are unable to help them simply due to the high volume of abandoned cats who are brought to us by Inspectors or left on our doorstep by members of the public. We have a finite number of spaces for cats and, being only a small Centre, this number isn't high. 

Anise was found abandoned in a box with her mother and her sister

A prime example happened on Monday of this week. Two cats were pushed through the gap at the side of our gate when we were closed in the morning. Luckily two members of the public saw what had happened and banged on the gate to alert us. The cats were too stunned to move far and we caught them easily. They are recovering well from their abandonment but this is a case that is happening all too regularly. 

The big driver of the abandonment of these cats is lack of neutering. When a cat is let out the back door or goes through the cat flap, as an owner you basically have no control over where that cat is going. Unfortunately due to the financial climate it can be quite difficult to find the money to afford one cat, let alone the 4 or 5 kittens that cat may then produce. When that happens, owners feel desperate and can resort to abandoning the cat family if they feel they have no other option. 

Please please please tackle the problem BEFORE it happens. Book in and neuter your cat. If you are struggling there are some organisations who can help with neutering costs and the cost of neutering one cat will fall far below the cost of feeding, flea treating, worming and vaccinating kittens. 

Male cat owners are NOT exempt from this. It can be easy to forget the consequences of letting neutering slip by the wayside when you own a male cat however in order to be a responsible pet owner you need to consider this. Although you may not see the after-effects, your cat may be impregnating every stray/feral female cat in the area, along with the female cats who have homes. These stray and feral females then have to give birth in somebody's shed or garden and, if the kittens are lucky enough to survive after living outside, they will either become feral cats themselves, adding to the breeding problem or, if they're lucky, they will be brought into a rescue centre. This endless cycle puts further pressure on rescue centres and on the cat population.

Another incentive for neutering male cats are the health benefits. Neutering reduces the risk of many diseases, eliminates the risk of others and also reduces the likelihood of your male cat wandering and fighting with others. 

Some people believe that neutering animals takes away their choice however it is important to remember that cats are NOT people and they don't actually have a choice. We have to make it for them. It is far more beneficial for a female cat to be neutered at 6 months old and live a long life with her owners than for the female cat to remain unneutered and have at least one litter (she could potentially have 2-3 litters) of kittens every year. Bearing in mind that a cat can have anywhere from 2-8 kittens per litter - that is a huge amount of kittens for her to carry, feed and care for.

There are so many benefits to neutering. I know, kittens are very very cute - but they grow up. And they also all need homes; there are only so many people out there with space to rehome kittens.

If you have any questions about neutering or would like to discuss it further you are welcome to contact the Centre for advice.