RSPCA animal shelters in plea for money and food

9:50am Monday 5th January 2009

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THE people who look after the region’s abandoned and lost animals are appealing for help as they anticipate a tough 2009.

At shelters in York and Selby, staff say they need the public to keep up their donations of food, blankets and money to ensure they can care for the animals.

York’s RSPCA animal home in Landing Lane enjoyed a large number of donations over Christmas, but staff there said the festive period is always a tough time for them.

Manager Elaine Murdoch said: “We have done quite well with re-homing but the run-up to Christmas was particularly bad with people bringing in animals.

“It’s been the same as long as I have been here. I think maybe it’s because people feel their pets are getting in the way.”

Mrs Murdoch said she was also disappointed that Christmas did not bring a new home for one of the centre’s long-term residents, Richard the cat.

She said: “I desperately wanted him to have a home for Christmas but he was unlucky this time.

“He’s lovely natured and really playful and I think he would be good with other cats.”

Richard, who is aged between four and five, has been at Landing Lane for just over two years.

Other residents who are ready for a new home are rabbits Delilah and Joey.

“Joey and Delilah come as a pair,” said Mrs Murdoch. “Delilah is a very clever rabbit and tries to open her door. She is a big rabbit so they both need a lot of room.”

Both animals have been neutered, and a home visit from RSPCA staff is required for anyone who would like the pair.

“I hope we get some nice homes for our animals and we always need blankets, newspapers, duvets and money,” Elaine said.

In North Duffield, near Selby, Jackie Bower of the Black Cat Rescue Centre admitted that a fall in the number of donations over Christmas made for a difficult start to the year.

Despite managing to find owners for many of her cats, Jackie is still left with those animals which are unable to go to a new home.

“Christmas has been a bit grim,” she said. “We usually have a food appeal running and people drop in lots of food but this year it’s been dead. Apart from Christmas Eve, when I had four people visit, I have had nobody.

“I don’t know if it’s the credit crunch.”

Jackie said Christmas donations would usually keep her cats in food until February, but this year supplies had already run out.

With cat litter alone costing the centre £90 each week, Jackie now faces the prospect of finding money for the animal’s food and heating bills herself.

If you would like to help either of the shelters, contact Black Cat Rescue on 01757 289435 or York RSPCA on 01904 654949.

A home for Jack

THE New Year has brought better fortunes for Blind Jack, the Jack Russell terrier who was found wandering the streets of York, abandoned, last year.

After an appeal in The Press, Blind Jack eventually found himself a new home in time for Christmas with two other Jack Russells.

Elaine Murdoch said: “He’s gone to a lovely home with two other Jack Russells and they all get on really well.”