Welcome to our News section featuring our two London veterinary hospitals and rescue centres, our Headquarters in Wadhurst, East Sussex, our Sanctuary near Hastings and our Tunbridge Wells branch
Aug 8th: 35 CATS AND 9 KITTENS RESCUED AFTER 5 DAY ORDEAL INSIDE A SMALL VAN!
Aug 8th 6.pm. A call was received by our Lewisham rescue team from an ambulance driver who had been called to a vehicle to assist a very distressed woman and her ex-husband.
As the story unravelled it turned out that the owner and her cats had been evicted from their home on Monday 2nd Aug in Lincolnshire.
The RSPCA took over 40 cats from the home but the owner loaded a further 35 cats and 9 kittens into a small van and then drove to London to try and find a property to rent and move the cats into.
She slept with the cats which were loose inside the cramped vehicle in various car parks and lay-by's. As each day passed and with no luck finding a property the owner was becoming more distressed. By Sunday 8th she was on the point of a nervous breakdown and her ex husband called an ambulance.
Three of Lewisham staff went straight to the scene where conditions inside the vehicle were absolutely filthy as you would expect, the cats were sitting in urine and faeces. The cats were put into cat baskets and brought back to the safety of Lewisham Branch veterinary clinic.
The woman was taken to hospital.
More info to follow on this story...
UPDATE 11th AUG: We are now getting a fuller picture of what had happened. The woman was evicted on Monday 2nd August from her home in Grantham, Lincolnshire. The RSPCA attended and removed 42 cats but the woman collected the rest of her cats and kittens and loaded then into her van.
She had three mum cats and their kittens plus two other adult cats in the passenger side foot well and front seat. The rest of the cats were in the back of the van.
She then set off for London enlisting the help of her ex husband to try and rent a property that she could take the cats to. They then spent the next few days moving around car parks and lay-by's trying to find somewhere to rent.
One cat, suffering from fits, died in the van on the Wednesday, if the van hadn't had air conditioning many more cats could have died.
By Friday evening they ended up in a Sainsbury's car park in S.W London.
On Sunday the 8th by late afternoon the strain was really taking it's toll on the cats owner who by now was on the point of a nervous breakdown and her ex- husband called an ambulance. The ambulance driver called us in desperation seeking help for the cats after being refused assistance by other London based animal charities.
Our staff raced to the scene and were completely shocked by the small size of the van, the conditions inside and the length of time the cats had been confined in it. The cats and kittens were immediately transferred into cat carrying baskets and brought to our Lewisham clinic.
The cats are all very friendly and clearly have been much loved, they have been well fed - indeed some are overweight. Some were already neutered, but others are not. One cat gave birth to dead kittens this morning. Some of the younger cats are showing physical symptoms associated with inbreeding.
They have all been checked by a vet and those that are unneutered are being neutered.
More updates regarding the future of the cats to follow.....
Photo's of some of the "Van cats"....
AUGUST 3RD: DON'T BREED OR BUY WHILST STAFFIES DIE!
No one living in London and increasingly elsewhere in the U.K can fail to have noticed the popularity of Staffordshire Bull Terriers and Staffie cross breeds.
Classified ads list litter upon litter of Staffie pups for sale yet rescue centres are full of staffies and thousands are put to sleep in the U.K because they cannot be found new homes.
Unwanted Staffies are daily abandoned on the streets of London and taken to Animal shelters such as Battersea Dogs Home who also take in strays rounded up by Londons local authority animal wardens.
Newly released infomation by Battersea Dogs and Cats Home reveals that the number of Staffies coming into Battersea has leapt 850% since 1996 and they often lack basic training that allows them to get along with other dogs or sometimes even people.
In an attempt to try and get the message across as to how bad the siuation has become Battersea Dogs and Cats Home have also revealed destruction figures for dogs coming into its care in 2009 - Battersea Dogs and Cats Home had to put down about one third of the dogs it took in last year - a total of 2,815 animals, of which 1,931 were healthy.
BBC Panorama shown on August 2nd graphically depicted the appalling plight of Staffies. It was a heart breaking programme to watch which showed the reality of just how many unwanted healthy dogs are ending up being put to sleep - i.e killed, dead due to actions of irresponsible members of society.
Stray dogs in animal pounds have just 7 days to be claimed before they can be put to sleep. PROTECT YOUR DOG (or cat!) WITH AN ID MICROCHIP. Quickly and easily implanted they provide lifelong identification for your pet. Contact C.H.A.T's veterinary clinics or your local vet for more information.
NEUTER YOUR STAFFIE, MALE OR FEMALE TO PREVENT FURTHER UNWANTED STAFFIE PUPPIES BEING BORN. DO NOT ADD TO THE PROBLEM - THERE IS PLENTY OF FINANCIAL HELP AVAILABLE - CALL OUR VETERINARY CLINICS FOR ADVICE.
July 14th: Frankie the three legged pup is a super swimmer!
Frankie a Jack Russell was just five months old when he had an accident and broke a front leg. To make matters worse his owners then decided that they no longer wanted him!
Frankie was taken to Canning Town Branch to be treated and rehomed. Our vets tried to save his leg but were unsuccessful and it required amputation.
Frankie made a speedy recovery and being such a lovable young puppy soon found a new home with three other dogs.
Just to prove that three legs is no problem Frankie loves nothing better than going for a swim!
July 2010 GOOD NEWS FOR SOUTH EAST LONDON DOGS!
JULY 2010: The popular RSPCA. London South East Branch scheme whereby dogs of any size or breed, male or female can be neutered, microchipped and vaccinated for just £50 at our Lewisham Branch neutering clinic starts again from Monday 12th July.
Funding is limited so to take advantage of this scheme proof of receipt of benefits or a low income will be required.
Please contact Celia Hammond Animal Trust Lewisham Branch veterinary clinic on 02086912100 to discuss further or make an appointment for your dog.
1ST JULY: STARVING DOG FOUND ON THE STREETS
1st July: This dog was found wandering on the street in East London and was taken in to our Canning Town Branch.
JUNE 21st....A SUCCESSFUL OPEN WEEKEND AT LEWISHAM BRANCH
The Open Weekend at Lewisham Branch held on Sat 19th and Sun 20th June proved to be a great success with 48 offers of homes for single cats, pairs and even trios.
Offers of homes will be visited to assess suitability for adopting the cats that interest was expressed in before the cats can leave C.H.A.T's care.
Lewisham Branch team of home visitors were quick to get into action beginning home visits on Saturday evening and will be continuing to meet prospective new owners over the course of this week.
18th June: Puppy sick with Parvo virus infection is dumped at train station.
18th June: This puppy was rescued on Saturday night by someone who found her lying on the ground at Canning Town Train station.
They took her home for the weekend but it was clear that she was very unwell and didn't want to eat, had bloody diarrhea and was weak and lethargic.
On Monday morning they brought her to Canning Town clinic for help.
One of our vets examined her and was concerned that she had Parvo virus, a test confirmed this diagnosis. She was immediately placed on a drip and admitted to the clinic where she is being cared for in isolation. She is doing well and should make a full recovery, she will be moved to a foster home in a few days time.
Parvo virus is a nasty virus which is most common in puppies because their immune systems are less well developed. The virus is highly contagious and can survive in the environment for months.
It is very important to vaccinate puppies before they come in contact with other dogs or are allowed to exercise in public places such as parks. There are currently cases of Parvo virus in both East and South London. The virus can also easily be carried in to your home on your shoes and we recommend that anyone with a puppy or dog that is not vaccinated at least removes their shoes when entering their home to reduce the risk.
Symptoms of Parvo virus infection are vomiting, bloody, foul smelling diarrhea, lethargy and loss of appetite. A puppy infected with Parvo virus has about a 50% chance of surviving provided it receives prompt veterinary attention. If the puppy survives the first 3-4 days of treatment the chances of recovery are good.
It is very important to vaccinate your puppy against Parvo virus. Puppies require a course of vaccinations ideally at 8 weeks and again at 12 weeks. Dogs then require an annual booster vaccination to maintain immunity. If you are struggling to afford to vaccinate your dog please contact either of our London Veterinary clinics who both offer low cost vaccinations.
MARCH 26Th: ELLIE 7th APRIL - GOOD NEWS - HOMED!
Ellie was brought into Canning Town Branch via the RSPCA after she had been involved in a road accident.
She had suffered a nasty injury to one of her back legs leaving her with a fractured ankle. Our vets have carried out complicated orthopedic surgery in order to pin her broken bones. It looks like the operation went well but Ellie will have to have an external fixator on her leg for several weeks whilst her bones heal.
Ellie was not microchipped and no one has come to claim her so it is looking likely that she will shortly be in need of a new home.
Ellie is approx 2-3 years old. She is very friendly with most people although occasionally she meets someone and it is as if they remind of of someone from her past and then she is a bit wary. She is seeking an adult home with a garden.
FOSTER ME? Canning Town Branch does not have facilities to care for dogs - particularly large dogs and if a new permanent home for Ellie is not found very quickly a temporary foster home is urgently needed.
To enquire about Ellie, or to find out about other animals at Canning Town, please telephone 0207 474 8811 or send CHAT an email[Please include a contact phone number]
March 19th: Kitten season has begun but not only are Lewisham Branch taking in newborm kittens they are inundated with elderly cats as well.
March 19th: Lewisham Branch are busy responding to emergency calls to rescue newborn litters of kittens and their mothers but are also being inundated with middle aged and elderly cats who have come in for rehoming for a variety of reasons.
It is really upsetting and bewildering for older cats to lose their home and find themselves in a rescue centre and then they have the added disadvantage of trying to compete for new homes against playful youngsters and cute kittens.
Many of these older cats are content with a comfy sofa to snooze on and are not too bothered about going outdoors so they would be suitable for indoor only homes without gardens.
Long Term Foster - Lewisham Branch will assist with the veterinary care for many of these older cats by continuing to provide treatment for any ailments via the Lewisham Branch veterinary clinic (n.b this doesn't cover routine vaccinations, flea and worm treatment or food and litter).
So if you think you could provide a caring retirement home for Molly and Binx, Abigail, Guiness, Jo, Pinky, Nobby or Chuckie please visit Lewisham Branch rehoming page to read their stories and then get in touch!
March 10th: Starved to death
This poor young Staffy was tied up in a park on the other side of the A13. It wasn't necessary to tie him as he was so weak he couldn't stand and had been starved almost to the point of death. He was barely breathing and motionless - initially we thought he was dead - and then we saw his eyes move.
We rushed him back to the clinic to warm him up and get him on a drip but it was too late, he was past the point where it was possible to bring him back and we could not save him.
I like to think that in his last minutes he was aware of how much we loved him and wanted to comfort him. How can people be so cruel? I truly cannot understand how a human being can carry a dying dog into a park, tie him up and go away and carry on with their life without giving him a second thought.
Dangerous Dogs...
9th March 2010
Parliamentary proposals were today unveiled to try and tackle the problems associated with irresponsible owners and status dogs.
-It is proposed that all dogs should be compulsorily I.D microchipped.
-Secondly that owners will need to take out third party insurance for their dogs so that if a dog does injure anyone then the victim can be financially compensated.
The BBC reported that Ministers are considering making it a criminal offence for a dog owner to allow their animal to be "dangerously out of control".
Also being considered is whether the number of breeds that are banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 should be increased. Four breeds are currently banned in the U.K - Pit bull terrier, Japanese tosa, Dogo Argentinos and Fila brasileiros.
The Guardian reports that 900 Dangerous Dogs were seized by Police in London in 2009.
C.H.A.T is very concerned by the plight of so called 'status breeds' in London. Staffordshire terriers, Bull breeds and Bull X breeds are clearly the dog of choice for many inexperienced owners who are seeking them as part of a macho image or in the case of the larger cross breeds using them as a 'legal weapon'.
Sadly many of these usually young dogs soon find themselves unwanted, abandoned on the streets, passed from owner to owner or awaiting homes amongst many others in overloaded rescue centres where for those that have been trained to be aggressive the fate is usually euthanasia.
Please visit our 'Dogs in crisis' page on our website for more information about welfare issues facing dogs in the U.K today.
March 8th: This cat was rescued after being found with his leg caught in a rat trap.
March 8th: A young male farm cat was found this morning with a powerful spring action rat trap snapped shut on his leg.
The farm that he lived at do not use rat traps, they have a colony of cats and have no need for any other rodent control measures.
This poor cat must have dragged himself home in agony from a neighbouring property with the trap still attached to his leg.
We were called and by the time we got there two farm workers had managed to release the cats leg from the trap.
We rushed him to our Lewisham Clinic where he was given pain relief and examined by one of our vets. The injury was so severe that the only option was to amputate the cats leg. He remains under our vets care.
The rat trap was irresponsibly set where it was possible for other animals, both pets and wildlife to become caught in it. We have leafleted the neighbouring stables and smallholdings letting them know what has happened and warning them to make sure no other traps are left lying around in this way.
7th MARCH: SAM AND LOTTIE - DOING WELL!
7th March: We thought we would share some Happy News with you!
Sam the tabby kitten was rescued in January after he had been thrown down a rubbish chute into a communal rubbish bin which was then emptied into a rubbish compactor lorry, the lorry's contents were tipped out onto the ground at a rubbish dump where the driver spotted a very dazed Sam staggering out of the rubbish.
Sam had suffered head injuries and our vets were uncertain if he would survive. Sam pulled through and has now made a good recovery.
We were overwhelmed by the concern that so many people expressed for Sam and were so grateful for all the messages of support for him and enquiries about his progress as well as offers of a new home.
We found Sam a new friend - Lottie, and they have a lovely new indoor only home.
"Hi again,
Just a quick message to let you know how Sam and Lottie are doing. They are both doing very well. Sam is eating well and growing at a fantastic rate. He is very happy to sit on our laps and purr. He is sometimes a little timid, but otherwise completely normal. Lottie is full of energy and curiosity.
Thank you all again,
Joe, Rosie, Sam and Lottie"
10th FEB: One eyed Benson is rescued after being abandoned.
10th FEB: "Benson" was brought in yesterday to Canning Town Branch by a resident of a block of flats, trembling, shaking with fear - he was wandering around her flats the previous night howling and whimpering all night.
He only has one eye and cringes when you lift your hand to do anything - we are sure he has been badly treated and is particularly wary of men. He is only 7-8 months old and deserves a second chance in life.
After 24 hours he has perked up and enjoys a cuddle.
He is currently being cared for in the Canning Town clinic but we are very short of space and it is difficult to care for him here so a new home or even a temporary foster home is sought asap.
He is not prettiest boy we have ever seen but we feel he has a gentle character and so needs someone's love.
11th Feb: GOOD NEWS BENSON HAS FOUND A NEW HOME! A member of C.H.A.T staff has kindly given him a home.
Feb 2nd: Please sign a petition against the barbaric practice of declawing cats in America.
C.H.A.T has been asked to help publicise the campaign against cat declawing in America. Declawing is an unnessecary and very cruel procedure involving the amputation of the last digit of the cats toes to attempt to prevent the claws from regrowing (- bone as well as the claw is amputated.)
"Dear Cat Lovers,
I found your details on the Cat Chat Rescue page and hope that you don’t mind my writing to you. As an organisation devoted to the welfare of cats, I thought you would be concerned to learn about the routine practice of declawing cats in the USA.
I had not even heard of this procedure until recently, and the more I learn about it, the more horrified I become. I am at a total loss to understand why anyone would subject a cat to the unnecessary amputation of the ends of their toes, when all it takes to teach them claw manners is kindness and patience.
Even more shocking to me is that many vets in North America actively promote this procedure by offering neutering & declawing packages for kittens. This is clearly in breach of the AVMA guidelines which state that declawing should be a last resort procedure. I don't doubt that they are strongly motiviated by financial gain, as figures from the HSUS estimate that declawing has to date generated more than 3 Billion Dollars of additional revenue. As too many vets cannot be trusted to disclose the truth about this operation and the physical and mental trauma that it causes to cats, then the only option is to have it made illegal just as it is in the U.K. and 38 countries worldwide.
A number of cat lovers in the UK have now formed an anti-declawing group and it is our desire to help our American colleagues at the Paw Project in their attempts to get declawing banned. Thankfully it has recently been made illegal in 8 Californian cities, but we would dearly love to see a nationwide ban. We would be delighted if you were able to sign our petition in support of a ban and forward it to anyone else whom you think would also be concerned .
C.H.A.T wholeheartedly supports this campaign against declawing and we ask that you please take a couple of minutes to sign the petition.
ONGOING APPEAL!!! Dogs needing foster homes and permanent new homes.
Our London Branches do not have the facilities to care for dogs for whilst they seek new homes. Short term foster homes whilst we seek permanent new homes for any dogs that come into our care are always needed.
Shop till you Drop in Wadhurst!
Our charity Shop at our Headquarters in East Sussex is urgently appealing for donated items to sell. The shop is run by a fantastic team of volunteers which enables all the funds raised to go directly to the care of the animals. We accept good quality bric a brac & clothes, small items of furniture, in fact almost anything we can sell to raise funds! So, if you are having a clear out please don't dump your unwanted items, donate them to us.! If you have goods you wish to donate, please telephone Sheila on 01892 783367 or bring goods to our shop in Wadhurst High Street (Monday to Friday 9am-5pm Saturday 9am-2pm).
If you are Decluttering, moving home, or just having a change of wardrobe or home interior, please think of us before taking your unwated items to the local tip. Thank You
C.H.A.T. has teamed up with a MOBILE PHONE recycling company to help us fundraise. DO YOU HAVE ANY UNWANTED OLD MOBILE PHONES EVEN IF THEY ARE BROKEN THEY CAN RAISE FUNDS FOR US
If you do and - please dont throw them away as we can turn your unwanted items into cash to help the animals. The more we collect the more money we raise, its that simple. You can drop them off to any of our vet clinics, our sanctuary or head office. For more information on this recyclying scheme please call our Head Office 01892 783367 or send us an email info@celiahammond.org
OR We can send you an envelope for you to send off your mobile phones DIRECTLY and its FREEPOST, just email or call us and we can arrange to send an envelope out to you.
Nov 2009 >>> Thanks to your generous donations we have so far raised a fantastic £1800 from this scheme. Please, please keep your donations coming and tell your friends, family and work colleagues to have a rumage to see if they have any items to donate and recycle .
We can rescue them only you can save them.
Help Save a Life Today, please donate
to us online via the
