Tails | Winter 2020

Issue 12 I Winter 2020 I themayhew.org

In this issue...

Care packages for vulnerable animals this winter What’s next for ‘Covid kittens’?

Keeping your pets safe in colder weather

WINTER 2020

Front cover image: A cattery resident, 2020. Photo by Pooch & Pineapple.

Our vision

A society where people understand the importance and value of animal welfare.

Our mission

To promote animal welfare by delivering a broad range of community-based veterinary, care and education services in the UK and overseas.

Editor: Shelley Warnaby shelley@mayhewanimalhome.org Design: arc, www.arc-cs.com

Many thanks to our contributors and photographers: Charlie Care, Jess Feehan, Audrey Granger, Marie Claire Macintosh, Pooch & Pineapple, Natassja Yoxall.

Printed on 100% recycled paper. Please pass on to a friend and recycle after reading.

Contact us

@

info@mayhewanimalhome.org 0208 962 8000

Mayhew, Trenmar Gardens, Kensal Green, London, NW10 6BJ www.themayhew.org Join us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter @themayhew Registered charity number: 1077588 VAT number: 820 4030 87

Company limited by guarantee number: 3837732 2 I

Hello and welcome to your winter issue of Tails

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s we head towards the end of the year, it’s tempting to think ‘good riddance’ to 2020.

But for all the tough times we have faced in recent months, there’s also comfort to be found in how we’ve rallied together, albeit virtually!

Like many of you, we turned to technology to stay in touch with our amazing friends, supporters and much-missed volunteers through online events, social media, email and video calls.

It’s also allowed us to keep vital services running, such as our animal assisted intervention programme TheraPaws. Turn to page 10 to find out just how important that has been for some of the young people our therapy teams help.

So, if the holiday season does end up looking a little different, never fear – we’re pandemic pros now! Our online shopping guide (page 13) will help you stay safe and support our animals at the same time, while the Mayhew Christmas quiz (pages 24 and 25) is guaranteed fun for all the family, whether you’re gathered round a table or on a laptop screen.

However you’re celebrating this Christmas, we hope it’s full of joy and may the new year bring us all good things!

Contents 04

A letter from our CEO

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10

TheraPaws®: helping improve young people’s mental health

16

In praise of older dogs

Mayhew news

12

06

A tribute to Chester

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No cat or dog left behind

Guest chat: Sir Tony Robinson

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18

Mayhew International

Support Mayhew while you shop this Christmas

14

Looking after your pet’s health this winter

22

More famous faces and feline friends

24

It’s quiz time!

08

A kitten season like no other

26

Your letters

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WINTER 2020

A year of unprecedented challenges and achievements

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ur CEO Caroline Yates looks at the challenges and successes of this momentous year and considers the way forward for Mayhew as we move into 2021.

Dear supporter,

2020 has been a year of unforeseen challenges as well as great achievements for Mayhew. It has been a time of pulling together, with initial shutdown followed by nimble adaptation of our vital community programmes and services to ensure we could continue to respond to those dogs, cats and vulnerable owners in need, despite – and indeed because of – the impact of Covid-19. We are now considering what further challenges 2021 will bring, not only with the rise in demand for our services but also, undoubtedly, as we face a squeeze on some of our fundraising income, our organisation’s lifeblood.

But first, let’s reflect on the successes of 2020.

Mayhew has a super-resilient and completely dedicated team of staff who have worked hard throughout lockdown and ongoing restrictions this year, even adapting our TheraPaws programme so we could continue to provide the comfort and joy of interaction with dogs to those who need it most.

We have delivered emergency care packages to our most vulnerable pet owners and, once rehoming was allowed again, created an astoundingly successful process of virtual adoption, which has enabled us to rehome almost as many cats as last year in spite of the two-month hiatus! Likewise, our incredible Veterinary team continued to provide excellent treatment and care for our animals, and ensured our clinic clients didn’t go without vital vaccinations and parasite control for their much-loved pets.

Our wonderful international teams in Afghanistan and Georgia, also dealing with the impact of Covid-19

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and restrictions, were still able to reach significant milestones and help thousands of dogs in their territories. You can read more about their work on pages 18 to 21.

It is becoming clear that this winter, for so many of us, will be like no other, but Mayhew will still be here to help where we can. We will care for the dogs and cats that remain with us over the holidays, with some extra festive treats and cuddles too, and we will be a lifeline for many of our more vulnerable clients, who may need some additional help at this time of year. Please do read more about how we are helping those in need on page 7.

Before the tumultuous changes of 2020, Mayhew was preparing a new strategy for 2021–2024. However, the coming year will now be one of recovery and consolidation, ensuring we continue to carry out the unique work Mayhew does best: giving the best possible care, treatment and support to our clients both four-legged and two-, while working hard to bring in the funds to facilitate our mission.

I would like to thank all of you for your generosity this year. We have all been so grateful and touched by the amazing support and messages received – they have really helped boost our determination to weather the storm. We honestly couldn’t have done what we have this year without you. I’d like to also say thank you to our fantastic volunteers, many of whom we haven’t seen in person since March – we miss you!

We may not be celebrating Christmas in the usual manner, and it will be difficult for many, but from all of us at Mayhew, we wish you a peaceful festive season and look forward to your continued support throughout 2021. Thank you.

Caroline Yates

We have all been so grateful and touched by the amazing support and messages received – they have really helped boost our determination to weather the storm.

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News

ZOOMING

in to raise money for Mayhew International

A 5H fundraiser from our friends at Bolt

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n International Dog Day, ridehailing car and scooter service Bolt encouraged their followers to get involved on social media to raise funds for Mayhew. They pledged to donate £1 for every ‘like’ received on their Instagram post – and raised an incredible £5,000 for our work! We are so grateful to Bolt and to everyone who took part.

Find out more about Bolt and download the app at bolt.eu.

Beautiful Bowie, home at last!

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n early November, long-stayer Bowie left Mayhew after a whopping 672 days in our care. This lovely 12-year-old girl is settling in brilliantly with her new family, who told us, “Bowie bounced into our lives with the biggest smile and waggiest tail – how lucky we are! She’s full of character, super social and loves nothing more than a chinwag with the punters in the bar we run, interspersed with squirrel gazing, ball games and sofa snoozing. We can’t imagine life without our ‘Grande Olde Dame of the Grafton’, as she’s lovingly been nicknamed.”

n November, we held our first virtual event in aid of our work in Afghanistan and Georgia. The event was introduced by actor and supporter Ben Miles and featured live links to Dr Mo in Kabul and Dr Ana in Tbilisi, who gave the audience in-person updates on their work and showed footage from teams on the ground. This was followed by a lively Q&A where our supporters had the chance to ask questions. With the help of Mayhew supporters far and wide, as well as event sponsor PetsPyjamas, we were able to raise £1,600 for our international projects.

Could you offer a home to an older dog?

Turn to pages 16 and 17, where our Dog Adoption Officer flies the flag for ‘golden oldies’.

Christmas

opening times

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ur adoption office will be closed during the Christmas period from 21 December, reopening on 4 January 2021. To meet the dogs and cats in our care who are looking for forever homes, please visit themayhew.org/rehome.

Our Community Vet Clinic will be running vaccination clinics on 22, 24, 30 December and 2 January. To make an appointment, please call 020 8962 8017 or email vetclinic@mayhewanimalhome.org.

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WINTER 2020

A tribute to Chester

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ull mastiff cross Chester came into Mayhew as a stray in 2016, after which he found his forever home with the Brunton family. They had over four happy years together until Chester passed away this summer.

Owner Mark Brunton remembers their very special boy.

We lost our Labrador, Bailey, in 2015 and, like so many pet owners, said we couldn’t go through such heartache again. But then our home and our lives felt so empty without a four-legged friend. We had always 6 I

rehomed rescue pups, so we started looking at rescue centres online. When we found Mayhew’s website, the first thing we saw was a video of Chester. He had been mistreated and had been through so much in the first four years of his life. We instantly knew he belonged with us in our home, to be loved and looked after.

We contacted Mayhew and arranged to meet Chester that weekend. My wife and I drove from Northamptonshire to London and were so excited – we couldn’t wait to meet him. Words can’t really express what a beautiful, happy, gentle soul he was. He bounded out of his kennel towards us and gave us big hugs. We were immediately smitten and knew he would be part of our family – a big part! After a couple more visits and a home check, we were finally able to bring him home.

He settled in almost immediately. Our children and grandchildren fell in love with him and Chester adored them too. He was so happy, and he loved his walks and playing with his doggy friends – he would run about

like a 10-stone puppy! He had a few health issues along the way but we dealt with them together, and he always bounced back. He loved to sunbathe in the garden on his favourite rug, and in the winter he would park himself in front of the log burner and wouldn’t move! He snored and slobbered and was just so funny – he made us laugh every day.

Chester loved paddling in the sea, and earlier this year we took him to Whitley Bay, on the north-east coast of England, where we explored rock pools and he ran along the sand with us. It was such a joy. Sadly, he became ill very quickly after our holiday.

He was diagnosed with lymphoma and our vet did everything possible, but he stopped eating and drinking and could barely walk.

We knew we had to let our boy go. It was the hardest thing we have had to do. He passed away peacefully in September aged nine.

We will never forget you Chester. Thank you for brightening our lives. We will love you forever.

No cat or dog left behind this winter

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s we head into the festive period still facing the threat of a pandemic, we need your help to deliver 100 care packages to support vulnerable animals. Whatever the future holds, Mayhew will be here for dogs, cats and communities this winter.

Our first lockdown appeal

In spring, as the Covid-19 lockdown transformed the nation, we appealed for donations on our website, through social media and via email so we could get vital supplies to pets and animals in need.

We were blown away by your generosity.

With the incredible £10,000 you raised during our first lockdown appeal, our Animal Welfare Officers (AWOs) were able to provide dozens of care packages, make over 150 visits and handle over 1,000 calls with vulnerable pet owners and concerned members of the public. For the animals and people we supported, our services really were a lifeline. You made that possible.

Another chance to help

Over nine months later, with a cold, dark winter firmly settled in and the impact of the pandemic sadly far from over, we need your help once again. We are launching a second appeal: this time to supply over 100 care packages and offer essential phone and in-person assistance. With your support, our AWOs, Vet team and animal care staff will be able to ensure that we keep as many cats and dogs as healthy as possible.

We will be safely delivering our bespoke care packages to those cats and dogs who need them. They will include essential items like warm coats, light-up collars, flea and worming treatments, microchipping, toys and other enrichment items. They will also provide the food these animals need to get through the winter, which has kindly been donated by Burns pet food.

In addition, funds raised from this appeal will mean that our AWOs can continue to take calls from people worried about their pets or stray and feral animals as temperatures fall. During such a stressful and isolating time, their friendly, expert voices at the end of the phone will help to ensure cats and dogs are kept safe this winter.

How to support us

This time of year is traditionally when Mayhew is touched to receive physical items from our supporters to hand out to animals in need – or to put in their Christmas stockings! – but we can’t accept gifts like toys, food or coats from the public due to the continuing coronavirus restrictions. Instead, a donation to this appeal today is absolutely vital.

You can find details of how to contribute to our appeal in the cover letter of this magazine. Thank you for your ongoing support.

WE NEED YOUR HELP

By supporting our appeal, you can help make our winter care packages as useful as possible for animals in need.

•A donation of £25 could go towards a course of flea and worming treatment for one vulnerable cat or dog struggling this winter.

•A donation of £15 could provide a warm coat for the dog of a person experiencing homelessness this winter.

•A donation of £10 could allow us to microchip an elderly person’s cat while their owner is unable to leave the house.

•A donation of £5 could allow us to feed a feral cat colony, helping them to survive the winter months when food is scarce.

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WINTER 2020

A kitten season like no other

‘Kitten season’ historically takes place during the warmer months of the year, a time when cats breed more and there is a sharp rise in the number of domestic, stray and feral kittens born. This year, we have seen an even greater number of female cats and their young offspring needing our help, no doubt a result of the restrictions imposed to tackle Covid-19.

As always, our Animal Welfare Officers (AWOs) have been busy taking calls from members of the public and working in the community to help sick and injured animals.

They have been inundated with calls about strays, abandoned kittens and increased numbers of cats in feral colonies.

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As routine operations like neutering were put on hold during the lockdown, we have experienced a continuous influx in unwanted litters of kittens and abandoned cats, which has added to the already ongoing cat crisis which Mayhew tackles on a day-to-day basis.

Zoe Edwards, Head of Animal Welfare

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From March, many animal welfare organisations and veterinary practices, including Mayhew, have had to halt or limit neutering services due to pandemic restrictions, which has meant fewer cats have been neutered. It has been estimated there could have been an extra 84,000 kittens born during kitten season this year as a result.

Knowing the impact of the coronavirus could make for an especially demanding year, compounding the increased numbers of cats and kittens coming into Mayhew in the summer months, we alerted our volunteer kitten foster carers to ensure they were ready to step up. We also recruited an additional 20 cat and kitten foster carers this year so we would be in a stronger position to help those in need.

Here are just two of the cases we have dealt with in recent months.

Deja and her kittens left without a home

This summer, two-year-old mum Deja and her litter of four young kittens – Demi, Dottie, Dudley and Darla – were abandoned at a private vet, which didn’t have the >

facilities to look after animals permanently.

The vet called Mayhew and the feline family was quickly signed over into our care. Our AWOs brought them back to Mayhew, and our Cattery team tucked them up in a cosy cabin in our special Kitten Block so we could check their health and get them ready to be rehomed. We are very glad to say that Deja and all four of her kittens were quickly snapped up by adopters and have happily settled in with their new families.

Peeky’s search for shelter

A homeowner in north-west London received a shock when a stray tabby, who she noticed had visited the house multiple times over the past few days, suddenly carried three newborn kittens into the kitchen. One-year-old Peeky had given birth to her babies on a nearby roof, but seems to have decided that the house she had scouted would make the perfect maternity ward!

Luckily the homeowner called us, and once the family were settled in at Mayhew, our vets checked them over to make sure they were healthy. Peeky and her kittens were then placed with one of our dedicated foster carers, who is giving them a safe and loving home until they are ready to find their forever families.

Vital services up and running

We are currently running as many of our services as we can under social distancing restrictions. While our vet clinic is able to treat and care for our in-house animals, we are unfortunately unable to provide our usual outpatient neutering services; however, our AWOs continue to respond to calls to rescue abandoned or sick and injured animals. They have also now been able to resume bringing in feral cats to be neutered under our Trap, Neuter, Return programme. As Head of Animal Welfare Zoe Edwards explains, it is essential that we keep such programmes running: “With the growing financial troubles in society, there are concerns more pets will suffer, and Mayhew’s outreach support services and rescue response will continue to be very much in demand.”

Find out more about our work with the feral cat population and how you can help us spread awareness at themayhew.org/feral-advocat.

84,000 extra kittens could be born during kitten season this year as a result of restrictions on neutering due to the coronavirus.

Cats Protection: cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/neuteringand-vaccinations/neutering-your-cat.

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WINTER 2020

TheraPaws®: helping improve young people’s mental health

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hen you think of our animal assisted intervention programme, TheraPaws, you may well think of the brilliant volunteers and their four-legged companions who visit care homes and hospitals, bringing some light into the lives of residents and patients in need.

But did you know that TheraPaws also works in young people’s mental health facilities, playing an important role in their recovery?

Research undertaken by Mayhew and Middlesex University last year found that regular interaction with an animal can improve quality of life by up to 12%, a benefit which feels more pertinent than ever amid a global pandemic. With many vital NHS services feeling the strain due to Covid-19, programmes such as TheraPaws have an increasingly significant part to play in supporting the mental health of young people.

Young people have told us how they enjoy and look forward to their TheraPaws visits and have spoken about how spending time with the dog boosts their mood, helps them overcome their embarrassment about needing treatment, and enables them to open up to staff and make friends with other young people in the unit.

When Covid-19 restrictions came in earlier this year, in-person TheraPaws visits had to be suspended across London, including at mental health venues. The difficulty of not being able to meet up every week was felt by our volunteers, the venue staff and their patients, with ‘virtual visits’ over Zoom only serving to illustrate the importance of face-to -face interaction between the dogs and young people. So, we have been thrilled to be able to get back to work in person since the summer.

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LAVENDER WALK ADOLESCENT UNIT

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I definitely feel like Tilly elevates my mood. The sessions are so soothing and calming; if I’m feeling overwhelmed, or a bit anxious or on the edge, or anything like that, it’s really nice just to sit with Tilly and stroke her.

Helen (17)

The patients and staff at Lavender Walk were relieved to see TheraPaws team Francesca and Portuguese water dog Tilly back on the ward. The inpatient unit supports teenagers aged 13–18 with complex mental health issues and has been part of our TheraPaws programme since April 2019.

*Names have been changed to protect identities.

“The visits from Francesca and Tilly are the highlight of the week for most of our young people,” explains Lead Occupational Therapist Sarah Crawley. “The sessions provide a consistent opportunity for self-regulation and calming, alongside a low-pressure social environment in which to interact, often regarding current affairs and interests. The absence of this during the first lockdown was extremely visible on the ward, both due to the sudden lack of structure and predictability and also the loss of connection to the community beyond the hospital. It’s very easy to witness the mood lift TheraPaws visits create in young people and staff, and we’re thrilled to have Francesca and Tilly back!”

TheraPaws volunteer Francesca was equally excited: “Having visited Lavender Walk for over a year and seeing the difference it makes to the kids (and staff), I was aware how much Tilly’s visits would be missed by everyone. I was so delighted when we were invited back in-person in July. With social distancing guidelines it has worked so well, and Tilly and I love being back in the unit for our weekly visits. The kids are delighted to have her too.”

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IT’S GOOD TO BE BACK

COLLINGHAM CHILD AND FAMILY CENTRE

“Understandably, we couldn’t resume our TheraPaws visits to see vulnerable elderly patients with dementia, but we are very happy to have started visits to the children’s hospital.”

What TheraPaws means to us Patients at Lavender Walk Helen* (17) and Rose* (13) tell us what difference Tilly’s visits have made to their treatment.

“I wasn’t really talking to anyone when I came, but then I saw a poster of Tilly and I got really excited. During the sessions you sort of bond with the other patients; you can all talk about animals and talk to Francesca, and it’s just really fun.” Rose “I definitely feel like Tilly elevates my mood. The sessions are so soothing and calming; if I’m feeling overwhelmed, or a bit anxious or on the edge, or anything like that, it’s really nice just to sit with Tilly and stroke her.” Helen

We are committed to continuing to improve the lives and experiences of service users like Helen and Rose over the winter months, and are working hard to help take the pressure off key workers at venues like Collingham and Lavender Walk.

Another venue glad to have TheraPaws back is Collingham Child and Family Centre, an inpatient unit for children under 13 with complex mental health issues. Mayhew has been partnered with Collingham since October 2019, and experienced TheraPaws team Marina and her golden retriever Luna have been visiting since this August.

“It was great to have the virtual therapy dog input throughout the lockdown period,” says Lee Garey, Collingham’s Lead Occupational Therapist, “and when the TheraPaws visits restarted in person it brought a whole lot more to our therapy programme! The young people always look forward to the sessions and staff can see how it helps their confidence, social skills and mood.”

Marina agrees: “It was great to resume visits in person for me and Luna as no virtual interactions – even though they were lots of fun during the first lockdown – can replace real human/animal contact.

The power of animal assisted therapy

“It has been great to be able to return to in-person visits at some of our venues, especially at a time when looking after our mental health is needed more than ever. We have also been able to recruit more TheraPaws teams, which has been fantastic and means we can reach more children and young people who would benefit from animal assisted therapy. The connections that are being made between the dogs and the people we visit are so powerful, and this can be seen not only in the room, but also long after the TheraPaws sessions have ended.”

Niamh Carwood, TheraPaws Programme Coordinator

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WINTER 2020

Guest chat:

Sir Tony Robinson

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ctor, presenter and award-winning author Sir Tony Robinson famously played Baldrick in the classic television comedy Blackadder and presented Channel 4’s longrunning archaeology series Time Team. We are really fortunate to count Sir Tony as a Mayhew supporter and were delighted to have the opportunity to talk to him about his love of animals and his interest in our TheraPaws® programme.

What inspired your love for animals?

We had pets when I was a kid, but it was only when I was approaching my middle years that I began to realise how extraordinarily wonderful animals are and that we shame ourselves if we don’t honour them. When my wife and I had our first dog, Winnie, a rescue Yorkie cross, it was love at first sight – even though she smelled pretty terrible for the first few days!

Why do you think TheraPaws (Mayhew’s dog-assisted therapy programme) is so important?

I was really pleased when Mayhew published research showing the impact of the TheraPaws programme in care homes.

When my mum had dementia and was in a care home, I watched with awe as the old people’s faces were transformed every time an animal came into a room. I think

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now, in times of Covid-19, carers might think about how they could incorporate pets into the lives of the elderly to prevent their isolation from being so total.

used to be called ‘ritual’, but I’m sure love comes into it too, and my children’s book Pets explores this in some detail.

I think we could do a lot better than we do now. One silver lining to the coronavirus pandemic is that a lot of people are realising how important good animal husbandry is to protect ourselves from future pandemics.

That could be a great place to start looking at animal life in a fresh way.

Our latest dog is a wonderful seven-yearold Westie called Holly Berry. She can’t see very well and often bumps into small trees if she’s not concentrating. My dream Christmas present would be for her to suddenly get her sight back when we’re taking her for a walk on Christmas day.

Do you think animal welfare is improving?

While presenting Time Team, did you uncover any evidence of the human–animal bond in archaeological records?

Zooarchaeology is a fascinating area of study which is only just being recognised.

There are examples worldwide of prehistoric humans being buried with animals. This

Finally, it’s coming up to Christmas, so we have to ask – what are you wishing for this year?

To find out more about TheraPaws and the groundbreaking research on animal assisted interventions, head to themayhew.org/ therapaws.

Support Mayhew while you shop this Christmas If you’re looking for last-minute gifts for friends and family, you’ll find some pawsome presents for both your two- and four-legged friends in our online shop: shop.themayhew.org. Plus, every purchase you make helps us continue our work to improve the lives of dogs, cats and communities at our Home in London and overseas.

Remember to order before 14 December for Christmas delivery.

Find more products at shop. themayhew.org.

Bamboo dog bowl Bamboo cat bowl

Mayhew x Freak Meowt catnip hearts

Mayhew 2021 cat and dog calendars

Feline Fine gel hand sanitiser with cover Reusable face coverings

THE BEST OF THE REST

Did you know that you can also support us while shopping elsewhere online? Here are a few of our favourite shopping schemes where you can purchase gifts and lend a hand to the animals in our care at the same time – at no extra cost to you! You can find all these and more on our website: themayhew.org/ donate/support-while-you-shop.

PETS AT HOME LIFELINES

Every time VIP club members shop at Pets at Home and swipe their VIP card when making a purchase, they receive ‘Lifelines’ to go towards their nominated charity. These are converted into vouchers that we can then spend on treats and toys for our animals. Sign up via vip.petsathome.com.

EASYFUNDRAISING®

LOVIMALS

DONTSENDMEACARD

AMAZONSMILE

Register with easyfundraising.org.uk, the UK’s biggest charity shopping site, and stores like John Lewis, Boots and Marks & Spencer will donate a percentage of a product’s purchase price to the charity of your choice. You’ll find a list of participating stores on their website.

Send a special e-card to a loved one for any occasion through dontsendmeacard.com and the money you would have spent on a paper card will be donated to Mayhew – just choose our name from their list of charities when you get started.

Lovimals sells high-quality personalised gifts for pets and pet lovers, such as customised socks, pet blankets and mugs printed with your own pet’s face. Mayhew will receive 15% from all sales made when you click through from our website.

If you regularly shop with Amazon, why not switch to AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.co.uk)?

Select Mayhew as your chosen charity and Amazon will give us 0.5% of the net purchase price of any eligible product you buy.

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WINTER 2020

Looking after your pet’s health this winter

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s tempting as it can be for us humans to stay inside during colder weather, it’s still important for our pets to get their daily exercise. When you do venture out, there are a few extra things to be mindful of once the temperature drops, so we asked our Veterinary team to share their advice for keeping dogs and cats safe outside in winter.

Walking in a winter wonderland

Road traffic accidents are one of the most common causes of injury during the winter months. Try to schedule your walks during daylight hours if possible. If you do need to walk your dog in the dark, take a torch with you and use a reflective collar or coat to help your pet be seen by other road users.

Make sure that your dog is wearing an identification disc on their collar and that their microchip is up to date.

Salt and grit used to de-ice roads and footpaths causes irritation to pets’ paws and can be extremely toxic when ingested. Be sure to wash and dry dirty paws when you and your dog get home or when your cat comes in from time outside. Applying a pet-safe paw balm daily can help prevent paw pads from drying out.

When the weather outside is frightful

Clumps of ice and snow can build up between your dog’s paw pads, particularly in breeds with fluffy paws. To minimise this, keep paw hair trimmed down. Doggy booties are available, but many dogs find wearing these stressful so they should only be used if your pet has particularly sensitive feet or is prone to paw pad injuries.

Antifreeze often contains a chemical called ethylene glycol which is extremely toxic to dogs and cats but is unfortunately also tempting because of its sweet taste. This chemical is also found in windscreen de-icer, brake fluid and ornamental snow globes, and ingesting as little as a teaspoon can be fatal.

Winter is a wonderful “ time to be enjoyed by

you and your pet. Ensure your dog walks are just as fun and safe by keeping a close lookout for a few hazards that can accompany colder weather.

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Amy, Senior Veterinary Nurse

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walks!

Remem ber to lo ok afte this win ry ter too ! Wearin ourself shoes, g suitab warm c loth le visibility jacket o ing and a high r a heading rmband s when o acciden ut will help you ts and m avoid ak dog wa lks are a e sure your s enjoya ble as poss ible

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Consider keeping your cats in overnight and letting them outside for shorter periods of time, but only if this is something they will be happy with. After each adventure outside, always give your pet a thorough look-over to make sure they’re not covered in any unwanted elements of the outside.

Lucy, Head Veterinary Nurse

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Wrap u p on

Early symptoms of antifreeze poisoning include wobbliness, excessive thirst and vomiting. If you suspect that your pet has ingested antifreeze, you should contact your vet as soon as possible so an antidote can be given. Antifreeze products containing propylene glycol are more expensive but much safer for both pets and wildlife, so please consider using these instead.

Baby, it’s cold outside

Hypothermia is a dangerous drop in body temperature. Pets are most at risk of hypothermia if they are outside for too long or are suddenly exposed to low temperatures, for example by falling into icy water or even being left in a cold car. Older pets, very young pets and small animals are most vulnerable to hypothermia. Symptoms include shivering, pale gums, lethargy, confusion and poor coordination. If your pet displays any of these symptoms, bring them inside, warm them up gradually, dry them off with warm towels (if wet) and wrap them in a cosy blanket. Call your vet immediately for advice, as it is a good idea to have your pet checked over even if they seem to have returned to normal.

Some breeds of dog, such as greyhounds, have thin coats and will benefit from wearing a jacket on walks to help them stay warm. Breeds with

a double coat, such as huskies, are naturally suited to cold weather so they shouldn’t need to wear a coat and may actually find it too hot! Make sure that your dog’s coat is a good fit, as a poorly fitted coat can rub as your dog walks, potentially causing painful sores.

Frostbite occurs most commonly on ears, paws and tails. The affected skin will initially turn pale or blue-tinged as blood flow to the area is restricted. Seek veterinary advice and treatment as soon as possible. Gradually warming the area will help to stop further damage – this can be done either by wrapping the area with a warm towel or submerging in tepid (but NOT hot) water. It’s important not to heat too quickly or to rub the area as this will cause further tissue damage. The skin is likely to become red and swollen as it warms up, so your pet may need some pain relief. In some extreme cases, surgical removal of the damaged tissue could be required.

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WINTER 2020

In praise of older dogs

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n the UK, tens of thousands of older dogs are abandoned or given up to a shelter every year. Sometimes an older dog is not the first choice for an adopter, but taking on a senior pooch gives a second chance to a deserving and loving pet and can be immensely gratifying. Lisa Guiney, Mayhew’s Dog Adoption Officer, tells us all about the benefits of rehoming a more mature four-legged friend.

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Many people automatically think of getting a puppy or young dog when it comes to adopting. Of course, puppies are visually very appealing, but puppies also need a lot of patience, time and energy to help them become sociable and well-behaved family pets. Not only can older dogs (generally considered to be those aged seven and above) be just as cute and lovable as puppies, they also often have wonderful qualities that puppies take years to grow into.

The majority of older dogs at Mayhew are handed to us because of a bereavement or lifestyle change such as a relationship breakdown, a house move or a new baby in the family. They are often ready (and very eager!) to slot straight into life in their new home. A few arrive as abandonment cases and sometimes have experienced a bad start

in life, which could be from mistreatment or due to inappropriate care and training.

However, this doesn’t mean that they won’t become a loving and much-loved companion; just that they may need a little extra time and patience to adjust to new circumstances.

You also shouldn’t discount a dog who is approaching senior age out of fear their time with you could be fleeting: even an eight-year-old dog likely has many more good years left and will need a committed owner. Although you may still face challenges when settling in your older dog, you will have chosen an animal with a fully-formed personality, which helps ensure you’re a perfect match! Importantly, rehoming an older dog is also a great way to take a stand against the pet overpopulation crisis.

The benefits of adopting an older dog

Adult dogs can make wonderful companions. They tend to be calmer and more relaxed than younger pups, often with better-established routines and personalities. They will generally be less demanding – although still a full-time commitment! – and should have burned through all that excess puppy energy, making them ready to settle down.

In most cases, adult dogs will be fully house-trained and understand basic commands. Although some level of retraining may be necessary as they adjust to their new surroundings, the initial hard groundwork has usually already been done.

Where some training is needed, it’s usually only a single training issue that requires addressing and should be easy to deal with, compared with a puppy where you have to start from scratch.

As a result, adult dogs won’t make the kinds of demands on your time

and attention that puppies and young dogs do. They will also let you get a good night’s sleep, because they are accustomed to human schedules and won’t need night-time feeding or comforting.

What you see is what you get! Puppies can grow up to be quite different from how they seemed at first. Older dogs have grown into their shape and have already formed a fantastic personality, allowing you to see exactly the type of responsibility you will be taking on.

How to find your perfect match

Be open and honest when describing your lifestyle and living arrangements.

A dog that enjoys a lot of exercise or attention will be unhappy if your lifestyle can’t accommodate their needs.

It may take time for an adult to settle in and adapt to your way of life (and vice versa!), so it’s important to choose a dog whose personality and needs match yours.

Beautiful Bella Boo finds her forever family

Sweet and sensitive Bella Boo, an eight-year-old Shar Pei, arrived at Mayhew earlier this year and was in our care for 121 days, living with one of our foster carers before being adopted in October. Her new owner Andrew tells us, “Bella Boo is the perfect dog for us – she’s funny, loyal and loves her walks.

We wanted to offer an older dog a forever home because we know that they appreciate routine, are calmer and, in Bella’s case, have excellent manners! She’s made our home all the happier with her wonderful, affectionate presence.

All credit to her amazing foster parents who encouraged Bella to be the dog she’d always wanted to be.”

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Meeting Mayhew’s Dr Mo, an animal welfare pioneer

r Abdul-Jalil Mohammadzai DVM, affectionately known as Dr Mo, is the Country Director for Mayhew Afghanistan. He has been instrumental in improving animal welfare and raising veterinary standards in Kabul, negotiating with the authorities to stop the culling of free-roaming dogs and developing a mass canine rabies vaccination programme and a humane dog management programme in the city.

We caught up with Dr Mo to hear first-hand how Mayhew Afghanistan is faring during this exceptional year. We also found out more about his passion for animal welfare and his groundbreaking achievements in Kabul.

How did your interest in animal welfare develop?

I’d always wanted to work with animals, but when I qualified as a vet I didn’t know that would eventually lead to me working for a charity. I trained as a vet at Kabul University, but I then left for Britain in 1997, where I started volunteering (and then working) at Mayhew.

Previously most of my experience was with livestock, but my time at Mayhew in London changed my focus to animal welfare. I was driven to want to help animals and bring positive changes in the lives of dogs and cats.

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How important is vet training to Mayhew Afghanistan’s work and vision?

Not many vets in Afghanistan are experienced in small animal care [the majority work with livestock], so training is a crucial part of our work there. Our vet staff learn the latest surgical techniques and protocols, such as anaesthesia protocols and kennels protocols, so that they have the skills and knowledge to carry out the rabies vaccination and Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) programmes to a high standard, while also ensuring the welfare and wellbeing of the thousands of animals we treat.

What part does education play in improving people’s understanding of, and compassion for, animals?

Education has a key role in our programme: people need to understand our enemy is the rabies virus and not the dogs. We have a community engagement officer who works with the local people,

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I managed to convince the authorities to stop their dog culling programme in Kabul city and with this agreement in place we’ve been able to save thousands of these beautiful animals.

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Dr Mo, Mayhew Afghanistan Country Director

community leaders and schools. Our education programme began in April 2019 and since then we have organised 33 educational workshops and have met with over 3,800 students and 170 teachers.

In our education sessions we give information about topics such as the rabies virus, dog bite prevention, how to behave around street dogs and staying safe around aggressive dogs. The session material is adapted according to the age and level of the students.

Winters are notoriously harsh in Kabul – what is the impact of the freezing and bitter conditions on the teams on the ground and on the animals you are trying to help?

Kabul has some of the worst winters possible and they last for three months. There are heavy snowfalls and temperatures frequently fall to between -4 and -6°C. Our vaccination and TNR teams find it difficult to work, not only because of heavy rain or deep snow, but because it is hard to locate dogs as they are often hidden, sheltering from the cold.

In the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Centre we have 40 indoor kennels, and in winter we can close the doors and put a heater on to keep the dogs warm. Although this means our vaccination and TNR programmes can

continue, we do have to reduce the number of surgeries as we cannot use the outdoor kennels during the colder months. If there are funds available this winter, we would like to put rubber mats in our kennels to help the dogs stay warm and be more comfortable. This period of harsh weather is a challenging time for our staff and dogs, but we adapt as we can!

Your team has done an amazing job reaching significant milestones despite restrictions imposed by Covid-19. How are things currently in Kabul?

When there was lockdown in Kabul from the end of March to June we had special dispensation to continue our work as it was deemed a public health matter. According to the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), Covid-19 cases are increasing [November 2020], but we are not currently restricted in carrying out our programmes – we are a registered charity in Afghanistan and are following the MoPH guidelines.

Unfortunately, no one knows what to expect and what the impact of Covid-19 will be on our lives or the programmes in the future.

What do you think is needed next to protect animals in Afghanistan?

I am hoping that one day our programme can be expanded from Kabul city to other provinces in Afghanistan so we can then

stop the government’s culling programme across the whole country.

What has been your proudest achievement to date?

Signing the agreement with Kabul Municipality in 2017 to stop the inhumane culling of dogs in the city. The municipality was poisoning dogs with strychnine and had killed over 100,000 dogs in a five-year period. I managed to convince the authorities to stop their dog culling programme in Kabul city and with this agreement in place we’ve been able to save thousands of these beautiful animals.

What are the hardest things about splitting your time between the UK and Afghanistan?

I spend several months of the year in Afghanistan overseeing our projects and by far the hardest thing is to be away from my wife and children in London. However, I know that our work there is of vital importance and saving human and animal lives.

A leader in his field

Dr Mo has spoken at conferences worldwide and has received several awards in recognition of his innovative work and dedication to animal welfare.

2017 – Petplan and ADCH Animal Charity Awards: Special Recognition Award

2018 – The Mirror’s Animal Hero Awards: Special Recognition Award

2019 – The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons 2019 Honours list: RCVS International Award (recognising individuals who work within or outside of the UK to raise veterinary standards and improve animal welfare abroad) 2019 – MSD Animal Health World Rabies Day Awards: Individual Category (recognising community rabies champions from across the world)

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Mayhew International updates

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ur teams in Afghanistan and Georgia have overcome multiple challenges this year as the spread of the coronavirus pandemic impacted their work in various ways. They have done a fantastic job, with some standout achievements, and continue to work tirelessly to help animals in need and improve animal welfare.

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Exciting news from Mayhew Afghanistan!

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In mid-October 2020, our team in Afghanistan reached a significant milestone: 10,000 freeroaming dogs neutered in capital city Kabul.

We had hoped to reach this target within the first year after opening our Animal Birth Control (ABC) Centre in July 2019, but this was delayed by the knock-on effect of coronavirus lockdown restrictions in the city. We are so proud of our teams on the ground who have worked incredibly hard to catch up, and very grateful to our supporters, Dogs Trust Worldwide and The Brigitte Bardot Foundation for helping make such achievements possible.

A second chance for Roki

Kabul street pup Roki was scooped up by a concerned local when she saw some children dragging him along the street. She took him to our ABC Centre to be checked over by our vets, who were initially unsure whether he would make it as he was so tiny. Mogadas, one of the drivers for our Trap, Vaccinate, Neuter, Return (TVNR) programme, offered to foster Roki, giving him a place to recover and grow stronger. We’re delighted to report that he is now doing well. He has had his full set of vaccinations at our clinic and – exciting news – Mogadas and his family are planning to adopt him!

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A major funding boost to our work in Kabul

Thank you to the Edgard & Cooper Foundation (edgardcooperfoundation.org) for donating a fantastic USD $75,000 towards our work in Afghanistan. The funds will support our rabies programme, covering essential supplies such as vaccines and dog-catching equipment, the rental of vehicles used for the programme and the provision of materials to help us run rabies awareness and education projects. The foundation was established by the founders of pet food company Edgard & Cooper, and we are extremely grateful that they have chosen to donate to Mayhew Afghanistan.

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We are very excited about the support and funding from the Edgard & Cooper Foundation for our work in Kabul which so resonated with them.

Working together we will be making Kabul a safer and healthier place for dogs and the local people.

Caroline Yates, Mayhew CEO

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THE MAYHEW AFGHANISTAN TEAM VACCINATED OVER

9,000 FREE-ROAMING DOGS BETWEEN JANUARY AND THE END OF OCTOBER 2020

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BY THE END OF OCTOBER, THE MOBILE VETERINARY CLINIC HAD MADE FIVE TRIPS INTO THE REGIONS OUTSIDE TBILISI, NEUTERING AND VACCINATING

148 DOGS

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Mayhew Georgia: reaching more dogs in Tbilisi and beyond!

s of the end of October, our team in Georgia had neutered and vaccinated 922 free-roaming and community dogs in 2020. By working with our partner vets in the capital and collaborating with mobile vet clinic Doggie Doc to expand our programme out into the regions, we’re continuing to make good progress.

The importance of our work in the regions outside Tbilisi cannot be understated. As Mayhew Georgia’s Veterinary Surgeon Dr Ana explains: “In the towns and villages outside the capital there is little veterinary provision and our work there is vital – mainly to keep dogs safe and disease-free, but also to help the local community to have a greater understanding of the needs and wellbeing of our canine companions.”

With the onset of winter, working in these areas can be extremely tough. Heavy snowfall can mean the mountain roads are difficult to access and the freezing temperatures affects the team on the ground, as well as the animals we are helping. Our vets need to wrap up in protective clothing and ensure that extra precautions are put in place for animals in the mobile clinic’s care: they are currently planning on setting up a post-operative tent to keep dogs warm overnight under the watchful eye of a vet before they are rereleased the next day.

Passing on our veterinary expertise

Vet training is a vital part of our work in Georgia. In recent months, we have been helping to train Dr Nugzari, a student vet and Mayhew volunteer from Kutaisi, Georgia, who is keen to expand his knowledge. Dr Nugazri had previously been travelling to Tbilisi to join Dr Ana for training once a week, but at the time of writing has had to pause his visits due to new restrictions around Covid-19. “We will renew [his visits] when we can,” says Dr Ana, “and hopefully Nugazri can start making changes in his own community in Kutaisi as soon as possible, as veterinary services there are extremely limited and animals are in need of our help. Just one vet can do so much to make a difference, but when you train others and pass on skills and then those vets then train others too, that really is something that can create long-term change.”

OUR WORK CONTINUES OVERSEAS THIS WINTER Winters in Kabul can be exceptionally harsh, with biting cold and significant snowfall. However, Mayhew Afghanistan’s dedicated team of dogcatchers, vet vaccinators and clinic staff will carry on working to deliver both the rabies vaccination and TVNR programmes for Kabul’s free-roaming dog population to keep the dogs and local population safe from rabies. And while the dogs are in our pre - and post-operative block, the team will ensure they are kept warm and fed well.

In Tbilisi too, our neutering and vaccination programme will continue throughout the winter, making sure our team is only a phone call away from concerned residents. The team will also be on hand to help local dog guardians – many of whom are vulnerable themselves and can become isolated during the holidays – as they keep an eye on the community dogs in their neighbourhoods.

You can find details of how to contribute to the work our teams do overseas in the cover letter of this magazine. Thank you for your ongoing support.

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Famous faces and their feline friends (a sequel)

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FREDDIE MERCURY

reddie Mercury, lead singer of the band Queen, adored cats.

In the 1970s, his girlfriend Mary Austin bought them a pair of cats called Tom and Jerry, and while he was on tour he would make long-distance phone calls to check up on them, with Mary holding the cats up to the receiver so they could hear his voice!

Mercury eventually had 10 cats, mostly adopted from rescue centres, and he lavished them with affection, giving them their own bedrooms in his London mansion. They even inspired his music: in 1985 he dedicated a solo album, Mr Bad Guy, to his cats “and all the cat lovers across the universe.”

He shared a special bond with his favourite cat, Delilah, and wrote a song especially for her, with guitar harmonies that sound like meows.

Rolling Stone magazine reported that “Mercury spent hours with watercolours trying to paint a portrait of the tortoiseshell – and when he was dying in 1991, one of his final actions was stroking her fur.”

In his will, he left most of his fortune to Mary Austin and his feline companions, whom he considered to be his greatest loves.

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SIR ANTHONY HOPKINS

hen the award-winning Welsh actor Sir Anthony Hopkins was filming in Budapest, Hungary, a stray tabby cat was brought to the hotel where he was staying in the hope of finding the puss a new owner.

Hopkins and his wife Stella were so taken with the cat that they had soon ordered him a load of cat toys and decided to take him back to their home in California. They named him Niblo (an affectionate term for a little boy in Welsh).

Hopkins continues to enjoy a close relationship with his furry pal. One of his passions is painting and Niblo features in several of his pictures.

His artwork often explores dreams and the unconscious mind, and he has produced a vivid printed design called Dream Cat. During the coronavirus lockdown this year, Hopkins (now 82) shared an adorable video on social media of him playing a pleasant tune on the piano to Niblo, who sits on his lap and purrs with contentment.

The video is captioned, “Niblo is making sure I stay healthy and demands I entertain him in exchange.”

Niblo clearly brings Hopkins great joy and has helped him to cope with the lockdown. Hopkins has described the pleasures of his life as “a cat, a piano, a book, and a cup of tea.”

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any celebrated people from the worlds of music, dance and television are known for their love of cats, including several celebrities who have adopted from Mayhew.

In our autumn 2020 issue, we featured historical figures who adored their feline friends. Volunteer contributor Azmina Gulamhusein follows up with a look at some famous cat lovers of more recent times.

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ARLENE PHILLIPS

horeographer and former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips has spoken movingly of the solace that cats can bring during times of stress or sadness: “I think people have this idea that cats aren’t emotive, but in my experience, they are. They can sense your mood and they’re there for you. There’s nothing more comforting.”

In 2014, Phillips’ youngest daughter, Abi, adopted a ginger kitten called Romeo from Mayhew. A member of the public handed in Romeo and his baby sister after finding them abandoned in a bin bag.

Phillips instantly fell in love with the tiny ball of ginger fluff, and Romeo apparently loves giving Phillips soothing cuddles and chasing anything that moves. With her expert dance eye, Phillips is even convinced that Romeo can keep time to music and has excellent rhythm!

As well as giving Romeo a lovely home, Phillips has become a great supporter of our work, for which we are very grateful, and we are excited that she will be hosting our star-studded carols event this December.

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JOANNA LUMLEY

ctress Joanna Lumley developed a deep affection for cats during her childhood in Malaya (now Malaysia). One day, Lumley was walking with her mother and their dog when suddenly they heard a mewing sound coming from a well and found a helpless kitten struggling in the water. Lumley and her mother managed to pull the drowning kitten out and decided to keep him.

Later in life, when Lumley was living in Kent, her teenage son brought home another tiny kitten, who the family named The Bee. He eventually grew into a handsome tabby and proved to be a real comfort to Lumley: “He’d sit like a sphinx on my chest, right over my heart, gazing into my eyes. His purring would make me feel so much more tranquil.” When The Bee died in 2004, Lumley had a small gravestone put in her garden inscribed with the words “best cat.”

In 2009, she made a two-part ITV documentary called Joanna Lumley: Catwoman for which she travelled the world to explore our unique relationship with domestic and wild cats. Highlights include her visits to a Belgian cat festival and an ancient Egyptian tomb with cat drawings on the walls.

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It’s QUIZ time!

Are you a whizz at remembering obscure details about dogs? Or perhaps you’re a feline fact aficionado? Let’s test those skills and have some festive fun with our Christmas quiz – it just might be the perfect treat for a family Zoom call! Thanks to Mayhew supporter and quizmaster Simon London (@SeventhHeavenKR on Twitter) for sharing his pawsome knowledge.

If you’re hungry for more brain-teasers, why not try the Mayhew 2020 quiz on the page opposite. All answers are at the bottom of the page. Good luck!

4. What is the collective noun for cats?

5. How much of its life will a cat spend grooming itself? A: less than a quarter; B: more than a third; C: more than half 6. Who “tawt he taw a puddy tat”?

For dog experts

7. Who played the title role in the 2004 movie Catwoman?

8. With which English county would you associate the cat created by Lewis Carroll?

1. What is the name of The Grinch’s dog in the book How the Grinch Stole Christmas?

9. From which part of their bodies do cats perspire?

2. Which fictional dog was the star of a TV series that originally started in 1954 and ran to 1973?

10. What is most commonly the total number of claws found on a house cat?

3. Since 1991, the dog show Crufts has been held in which British city?

4. Who was the cartoonist who created Snoopy?

5. Which dog found the Jules Rimet trophy that was stolen ahead of the FIFA World Cup in 1966?

6. Which toy dog breed’s name is derived from the French for ‘curly lap dog’?

7. What was the name of the dog that travelled in Sputnik 2 in 1957 to become the first dog in space?

8. Who was Mickey Mouse’s loyal friend?

9. What was the name of the Darling family’s dog in Peter Pan?

10. Which famous yoga position is caninethemed?

11. What is the Guinness World Record for the number of balls held in a dog’s mouth?

12. Which famous US pop group is named after the dog in The Wizard of Oz?

13. Likely first bred in Germany as a water dog, which canine breed is the national dog of France?

14. What is the name of the dog who won Britain’s Got Talent?

For cat connoisseurs 1. What was the name of President Clinton’s cat, who received more fan mail than him?

2. When was the first known cat video recorded – 1894 or 1994?

3. Name two Christmas pantomimes that feature famous cats?

11. Who composed the music for the Pink Panther films?

12. In the nursery rhyme ‘The Cat and the Fiddle’, what acrobatic feat did the cow achieve?

13. What kind of person might own a cat called Pyewacket?

14. What is the largest type of cat?

How did you do?

If you’ve tried your hand at both sets of questions, double the numbers below to find your score.

1–4: Into the doghouse with you!

5–8: You’re barking up the right tree.

9–12: You’re almost the cat’s whiskers.

13+: Purrfect!

Dogs: 1. Max; 2. Lassie; 3. Birmingham; 4. Charles M. Schulz; 5. Pickles; 6. Bichon Frise; 7. Laika; 8. Pluto; 9. Nana; 10. Downward dog; 11. Six; 12. Toto; 13. Poodle (derived from the German word for ‘puddle’!); 14. Pudsey.

Cats: 1. Socks; 2. 1894 (it was recorded by Thomas Edison!); 3. Dick Whittington and Puss in Boots; 4. A ‘clutter’ or ‘clowder’; 5. Over a third; 6. Sylvester; 7. Halle Berry; 8. Cheshire (from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland); 9. Their paws; 10. Eighteen; 11. Henry Mancini; 12. It jumped over the moon; 13. A witch; 14. A tiger.

Dog and cat quiz

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Mayhew 2020 quiz

Test your Mayhew knowledge (clue: the answers have all appeared in issues of Tails in 2020)!

1. Which celebrity guest hosted our Hounds in your Home virtual dog show earlier this year?

3. W hat was the name of the beautiful husky who was in our care for many months but found his forever home this year?

A: Dan B: Charles C: Trevor

A: Sue Perkins B: Chrissy Hynde C: Lesley Nicol

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6. What is the hardest cat to rehome?

A: Tabby B: Black C: Bengal

7. M ayhew is a registered NGO in which two overseas countries?

8. A recent study by Mayhew found that what percentage of Londoners truly understand what is meant by the term ‘feral cat’?

A: 51% B: 58% C: 65%

4. W hat is the name our CEO’s rescue dog?

A: Brian B: Sophie C: Rosie

2. Stray cat and kittens Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Olaf were named after characters in which Disney film?

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5. H ow many cats and kittens were adopted from March to October 2020?

A: 70+ B: 90+ C: 110+

9. W e have a special garden that is filled with enriching items for our dogs – what is it called?

10. W hat is the name of Mayhew’s animal-assisted therapy programme?

How did you do?

1–3: Time to brush up on some furry facts.

4–6: Plenty to be pawsitive about.

7–10: Top dog!

Mayhew 2020 quiz 1. A: Sue Perkins; 2. Frozen; 3. C: Trevor; 4. B: Sophie; 5. C: 110+; 6. B: Black; 7. Afghanistan and Georgia; 8. A: 51%; 9. Sensory garden; 10. TheraPaws®.

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Your letters

Cleo (was Stella) Hi Matt,

Cleo was very shy the first few days after coming home – we could just about tempt her out for a treat, but other than that she stayed firmly under the bed. A month on, she has well and truly come out of her shell. She is cuddly, playful and a little bit crazy, and we love her.

Thank you, Mayhew, for helping us find each other!

Louise and Toby

Kian

Hi Lisa,

Since joining the family, Kian’s character has gradually come out, which has been great to see. He absolutely loves playing ball (or football!) in the park – almost as much as he likes having a cuddle on the couch or sneaking into the bedroom and burying himself under the duvet. He is also performing his ‘big brother’ duties very well, keeping a watchful eye over our new baby.

Graeme

Rosie Jerry and George (were Len and Kurtan) Hi Matt,

Just to say the boys are doing really well. They’re full of energy and great friends. They love chasing each other round the house and play-fighting, but will also groom each other and cuddle up together. They are not at all shy and love people and playing games.

Thanks again for finding them for us.

Rose and Edward

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Hello Lisa,

Just to let you know that Rosie and my dad John are a match made in heaven!

Rosie slept through the night from the beginning, and when dad comes down in the morning she wags her tail and rolls over for her tummy to be tickled. She loves exploring the garden and comes running when he calls. They are also enjoying their walks together.

Thank you for all your hard work making the adoption happen. You have transformed dad’s life!

Margaret

Mill Lane Veterinary Surgery Advanced medical care for your pets Proud to support Mayhew Joshua Rusnak BVSc CertSAS MRCVS 68-70 Mill Lane London NW6 1NJ www.mill-lane-vet.com 020 7794 1777

New clinic now open: Alymer Parade Vet 17 Aylmer Parade London N2 0PH

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Feeding happy, healthy pets since 1993

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To our supporters and volunteers,

Wishing you a merry Christmas and our best wishes for the new year from all at Mayhew!

20/10/2020 13:04