The Mayhew Issue 29

The Mayhew ÂŁ1 where sold

The magazine of The Mayhew Animal Home

Issue 29 • Spring 2011

Celebrating

125 years of helping animals and their carers

Our Mission We believe that animals, as living creatures, are entitled to legal protection, moral and ethical consideration and have a value beyond economic measure

At The Mayhew we • Take in and care for unwanted and abused animals and re-home them with responsible, caring owners • Ensure that no healthy animal in our care is ever put to sleep • Prevent unwanted animals through our neutering and outreach programmes • Promote respect and compassion for animals through our activities, campaigns and education programmes

The Mayhew and Petplan Insurance The Mayhew is pleased to tell supporters of our new relationship with Petplan, which is great if you are thinking of getting a new pet insured or changing your existing insurance provider. It is also great for us too, as The Mayhew receives 10% of your premium for the first year and every time you renew the policy.

Did you know 1 in 3 pets may require unexpected veterinary treatment each year? * Whilst advances in veterinary medicine mean vets can do more for your pet, treatment costs can soon mount up. We recommend Petplan insurance to all pet owners to help cover the cost of unexpected vet bills. Why not try before you buy?

For 4 weeks’ free Petplan insurance simply visit petplan.co.uk/4cv and quote our charity reference number 1077588. * Source: Petplan

The Mayhew magazine is printed using sustainable materials including vegetable inks and recycled paper.

Please recycle after reading.

The Mayhew

Issue 29 • Spring 2011

18 Anniversary

5 6 8

I mean maybe you are look ing for extra urgent toilet cleaning duti breaks. Perh es and early aps you pref However, if you mor ning alar er the ‘chewed ’re looking for m calls for shoe’ look? then why ove a faithful chu rlook us Sen m, an affectio iors? Age and nate pal and I’m more tea wisdom are a loyal compan and crumpets quite sought than energy ion hounds improve afte r qualities you smo othies and a know. about keeping with age and I like to put 5am walk. Like my your toes hidd a fine wine, feet up and rela we en for fear they Don’t get me x, so you won wrong, I still ’t have to wor love to run and will be mistaken for toys years old! But ry ! at my time in play –In fact I’m often mist life, racing arou would enjoy aken for only nothing mor nd all day e than a ram six ble in the park is best left for the youngst ers and I and woods to take you, whilst we in the view with watch the pup s dive in and the bushes. out of As you know, life throws up som unexpected twists and turn e s and I wish for nothing mor e now than to lifetime com panion to shar find a e my love with and lend you a furr y ear whenever you for need a friend to rely on.

messages for The Mayhew

Healing Hounds

Thinking of gettin g a puppy?

News round-up

Really?

Fundraising: Autumn/Winter round-up

20 Dramatic animal

rescues

www.mayhew

animalhome.o

rg/dogs

32 Adopt an older dog

poster

33 Your letters 34 5 minutes with

Craig Parkinson and Susan Lynch

22 Help keep a roof

over their heads

24 Babies and pets: how

10 Future fundraisers –

come and join us!

12 Mayhew through

the years

14 Our Strive for 125

to cope with both

26 Find me a home 28 Part of the team 30 Adopt an oldie!

31 Adopt an older cat

poster

The Mayhew Animal Home and Humane Education Centre Trenmar Gardens, Kensal Green, London NW10 6BJ Tel: 020 8969 0178 • Fax: 020 8964 3221 Email: info@mayhewanimalhome.org Website: www.mayhewanimalhome.org

For fundraising enquiries tel: 020 8968 2446 fax: 020 8969 3902 email: pr@mayhewanimalhome.org Photographers: Caroline Brown, Lyndsay Scott, David Snoddy and Rebecca Hadell / www.rebeccahadell.com Contributors: Tracey Addison, Sarah Dickinson, Paul Herring, Fran Llewellin, Caroline Yates Design: Fiona Jerome / fiona@deepermedia.co.uk / 020 7385 7499 Print: Intygra PPL

Welcome to this special anniversary edition! Our magazine has arrived with you early this year to invite you along on our year-long celebration as our rescue centre is 125 years old!

The Mayhew has been on the very same site in north west London since 1886 and has helped thousands of animals in need for more than a century, seeing quite a few changes along the way!

It is with great excitement we share the news of our plans for our quasquicentennial and bring you tales of some of the animals who found their forever homes by way of The Mayhew.

We will be holding some fantastic events and fundraising feats throughout the year, so don’t miss out on getting those dates in your diary and find out all about What’s On (on page 10).

We have also set ourselves a commemorative challenge to raise £125,000 to build a well-needed brand new roof for our Cattery. You can read all about the plans for this visionary project (on page 22) and check out our fundraising ideas (on page 14) to give you loads of tips on how to raise cash for the cats, whilst enjoying doing the things you love at the same time!

To rejoice being a hearty old age, we have created a very special pull-out poster (on pages 30 and 31) to promote adopting an older animal into your lives. Some of our very

own pensioner pets have a few wise words of wisdom for potential adopters out there, so if you can help us by taking the poster to your local vets or library and promote the message it would be a fantastic support!

It isn’t all about celebrating all that is old, however, so we share an advice filled feature on page 24 about living in harmony with pets when a new baby is planned. Many of our feline and canine arrivals come to us after a new human arrival has ousted them from their Home. With planning and compassion, a harmonious home can be guaranteed for all and is one of our hopes for the future.

It is always a highlight when we receive letters and updates from adopters or supporters bringing us news of their adopted animal or fundraising events they have held for the Home. Our celebrity friends have sent us warm words of support for our 125th and share with you why they have chosen to use their high profiles to raise awareness for homeless animals in need (on page 18).

Well, I hope that has given you enough to dust off your party hat, put your feet up and tuck into the feature treats in this anniversary issue!

Sarah Dickinson

Media and Communications Officer

Tell us your Mayhew memories! This year is The Mayhew’s 125th anniversary! We are all very excited and would love to hear from anyone who has Mayhew memories from years gone by. Perhaps you lived near the Home, or had a cat or dog from here as a child? Please let us know your stories as we are keen to share the history in future magazines and on our website.

Email sarah@mayhewanimalhome.org or write to Sarah Dickinson – address on contents page.

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The Mayhew

Healing Hounds TV Vet Marc Abraham and actress Sheridan Smith joined forces to bring Mayhew dogs to visit long-term residents at the Evelina Children’s Hospital

T

he Mayhew is not only a rescue and re homing centre but also a humane education centre, with three Animal Welfare Officers (AWOs) working tirelessly on our charity’s Community Animal Care programmes.

One of these educational initiatives is visits to hospital schools based at some of London’s children’s wards. Carly Webber, one of our AWOs, recently took three Mayhew dogs to visit younger children who are staying at the Evelina Children’s Hospital long-term and also to meet some of the older children who visit three times a week for their dialysis treatment at the hospital near Waterloo.

Joined by TV vet Marc Abraham and actress Sheridan Smith our team undertook a therapy tour of the ward, meeting the children and introducing them to some of the dogs currently looking for homes. One of the dogs, Toby, had already been adopted and makes regular visits as a ‘healing hound’ to residential care homes across the capital.

As part of their morning lesson, the children at the hospital school had done some computer research about The Mayhew and their work and had come equipped with lots of questions for

Marc, Sheridan and Carly!

ITV This Morning’s resident vet, Marc Actress Sheridan Abraham, said: Smith introduces Toby to one of “Animals play such the patients an important part in our lives and none more so than when visiting children who may be long term residents of a hospital. By simply stroking and interacting with a dog, animal–loving children become instantly happier and relaxed. I was so pleased to have the opportunity to see first-hand these incredible canine healing effects.”

One year old Dachshund, Bud and three-month old Chihuahua Pomeranian crossbreed, Buttons, proved extremely popular with all the children, including Chelsea Nye and Lucy Irwin, two of the animal mad patients on the dialysis ward.

The Mayhew CEO, Caroline Yates, said: “The visits our Animal Welfare Officers make to hospitals and residential homes are something we are very proud of. We were thrilled that Sheridan and Marc decided to join our dogs to meet and greet the children staying at St Thomas’s.”

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NEWS round up Catch up on some of the things that have been happening at the Home over the last couple of months!

A very welcome present from Pedigree!

We were all utterly blown away at The Mayhew, when TV Vet Marc Abraham visited us in October with the team from the Pedigree Adoption Drive and – in a very Secret Millionaire-style moment – gave our CEO, Caroline Yates, a grant for £20,000!

The money is for the Community Veterinary Programmes we run here, including our free and lowcost neutering.

Irresponsible advertising The Mayhew Animal Home was very surprised and really disappointed to see the John Lewis Christmas advert in November 2010 depicted an ending with a dog left outside in blizzard conditions, with very limited shelter.

We sent our complaint to the ASA as although we can appreciate the sentiment shown of the dog being given a present by the little boy, it would have been better inside the home, within a cosy, family atmosphere. With the advert ending as it did, it sent the message that keeping an animal in such conditions is acceptable and this, of course, is something we, as an animal welfare organisation deem totally unacceptable Thankfully, due to the high number of complaints, including our own, John Lewis ceased to run the version of the advert including the dog, appreciating that the dog-loving British public will not accept such a flippant disregard for an animal’s welfare – even in fiction.

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SKY one Behind t When Sky One told us dogmad Radio One presenters, Joanne Good and Anna Webb were making a Dogumentary – about all things, and people, crazy about canines, we were more than happy for them to ‘muck in’ and experience what work in a rescue kennels is really like! Keep an eye out to see just what they made of cleaning out our kennels, and what little, and large dogs they met on the day.

Mayhew student wins award

‘Balls Off and Spay Day’ Campaign The Mayhew’s Chief Vet, Ursula Goetz, took part in the Channel 4 Animal Madhouse series, which looked at the extraordinary cases of all kinds of animals, but also showed the grave consequences of over-population when owners don’t seek to neuter their pets.

With on location filming at The Mayhew’s Cattery and kitten cabins, Ursula explained to viewers just how vital it is that all owners neuter, with the shocking statistics that one female cat and her offspring can produce over 370,000 kittens in just seven years, all who may go on to produce more and more unwanted felines.

Eric Hugenberg, decided to give up a 14 year career in government in 2009 and embark on returning to study his life-time passion, animal welfare. Returning to student life at 40 years old, Eric undertook the QCF Course in Animal Care at The Mayhew and during 14 months of study passed the course with flying colours.

Eric recently received the Personal Achievement Award from the College of Animal Welfare in recognition of his outstanding course work and difference made to his student group.

Eric said: “I started the course at The Mayhew hoping To promote higher animal welfare to get a good grounding in standards further afield, The Mayhew Animal Care and to find out has created a new range of animal ‘Care whether this is indeed the kind Guide’ leaflets for 2011. We have produced of work I want to do. So, if a range of six leaflets to distribute to your anyone is thinking of a career local veterinary surgeries, pet shops and change and of moving into the stores in order to make it easy to find all field of Animal Care/Animal the advice needed to be a responsible pet Welfare, I can wholeheartedly owner. If you think you could help us to recommend doing this course. distribute them, please get in touch with Anyone interested in the quantities and titles you would like! undertaking the same Care Guide titles: Dog Care, Cat Care, course can visit www.

Fostering, Sponsor Me, Neutering and Strive mayhewanimalhome.org/ for 125! To order the leaflets please contact training for more info.

Sue Barrett on 020 8968 2446 or email sue@mayhewanimalhome.org

he scenes Mayhew Care Guides

You can follow daily Mayhew news updates like these on Facebook and Twitter !

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Events

It certainly was a fun packed winter here at The Mayhew as we organised a plethora of fundraising activities for our supporters including a Halloween party, animal blessing, choir singing and some special Christmas events. Here is a round up of some of the activities that took place to help raise funds for our animals. Make sure you have your diary to hand to as we bring you lots of dates for exciting upcoming events this year!

Halloween Party

The winner of the fancy dress competition enjoying some of the treats

With an abundance of black cats and kittens at The Mayhew, we decided to hold a Halloween party to highlight these beautiful felines and their need for a new home.

Our guests had a great day, with lots to do including face painting, fancy-dress, meet the animals, yummy cakes and other ghoulish games and activities.

A Day at The Mayhew In November, winners of one of last year’s Christmas Evening auction lots, Lisa Ferguson and Sylvester Murphy got the chance to spend a day here at The Mayhew. During this special day, they got to see behind the scenes in our veterinary theatre, spend time with the dogs and cats residing at the Home and of course they got to meet some of the kittens who are being cared for until they can be re-homed. As you can see, the animals here really enjoyed the extra fuss that they received from Lisa and Sylvester!

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The Mayhew

Christmas fair We kicked off the festive season with our Christmas Fair in Highgate. It was a great afternoon and wonderful to see so many of our supporters there.

We’d like to say a big thank you to the hundreds of people who came along to buy their Christmas gifts and to all the volunteers who helped us raise over £3700 on the day.

Lisa Ferguson spending quality time with one of our cattery residents

Marc Abraham and Annabel Giles get the room buzzing for the Luxury Auction

Christmas Evening

Sue Jameson and Peter Egan delivering an amusing seasonal reading

On Thursday 16th December we held The Mayhew Christmas Evening at St John’s Wood Church. We were joined, on this suitably snowy evening, by some of our celebrity supporters: Sue Jameson, Craig Parkinson, Peter Egan, Wendy Turner-Webster and Sue Perkins who entertained our guests with a range of festive readings. As well as classical music and fabulous food, our guests also enjoyed an auction, hosted by TV vet Marc Abraham and presenter Annabel Giles. Lucky winners took home lots including holidays, cookery lessons and VIP tickets to watch a filming of Harry Hill’s TV Burp.

New Year’s Day Parade Our volunteers were up bright and early on New Year’s Day to take part in the London’s New Year’s Day Parade in Central London. It was the 25th Anniversary of the parade and we were there to raise awareness of The Mayhew’s work. There were hundreds of thousands of people there to watch the parade pass through Piccadilly, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall and Parliament Square and spectators got to meet some of our dogs, who definitely enjoyed their day out!

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Join in the fun at our unmissabl Here are some key dates for your diary in 2011 – please join in the fun and help make our 125th the

Easter fair – 17th April 12–4 With our new rabbit area completed and our bunnies settling in to their new accommodation, we can’t wait until our Easter Fair to show off the new facilities to our supporters!

Join us for this fun event where children can take part in an Easter egg hunt, fancy dress, crafts and meet some of our animals.

sponsored walk & dog show – Sun 15th May This event is fast becoming a real favourite here at The Mayhew, especially amongst our dogs who will be going along to meet the public during their day out of kennels.

Join us for a fantastic sponsored dog walk around the beautiful Hampstead Heath, enter your dog into one of the fun categories in our dog show or take part in one of the other activities with your four-legged companion. As part of our 125 celebrations, we’d love to see lots of our happily re-homed dogs there with their proud owners!

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le events 2011

GET FIT, RAISE FUNDS

most upbeat and action-packed year ever!

Open day – Sunday

17th July 11.30am–4.30pm Our annual Open Day is being held on Sunday 17th July. There will be lots going on during the day including live music, a BBQ, the chance to meet some of the animals at the Home, gift stalls and other activities. It’s always a great day out for all the family as well as a good opportunity to find out more about our work. As always, well behaved dogs are welcome too!

Morocco Trek, Atlas Mountains – 18th September

Want to challenge yourself and support the work of The Mayhew and Mayhew International? Then why not take part in our trek to Morocco, setting off on 18th September. It’s a five day trek where you will get to explore the beauty of the Atlas Mountains.

You will be guided by ex-marine Pen Farthing, author of the fantastic One Dog at a Time and No Place like Home books.

For further information on any of our upcoming events or if you would like to organise your own fundraising activity in aid of The Mayhew, please contact Fran Llewellin at events@ mayhewanimalhome.org or call on 020 8968 2445.

The Superhero 5K Run – Sunday 8th May We think all of our supporters are super heroes.

Now you can bring out your inner superhero at this fun 5K Run in Regents Park, where you will be given your own superhero costume on the day! What could be better than transforming into your favourite superhero and raising some cash for The Mayhew? For an extra challenge, you can opt to take on the 10K course at this event!

The British 10K London Run – Sunday 10th July We are looking for runners to take part in this year’s British 10K London Run. Join our team of 36 runners and help raise vital funds for the Home – last year we raised over £13,000! This year we would love to raise even more, so we can help more animals. The six mile route will take you past many of London’s most wellknown landmarks and our runners will receive a Mayhew t-shirt, timing chip, free race photo download and of course lots of information and advice to help you with your fundraising.

The Royal Parks Half Marathon – Sunday 9th October Whether you have taken part in fun-runs before or if you simply want to set yourself a fitness goal, then why not sign up for the Royal Parks Half Marathon and really see what you’re made of. Run through some of London’s most beautiful parks and past many iconic landmarks all for a great cause!

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125 years

of helping animals and their carers

S

ince 1886, the very land beneath our feet here at The Mayhew has always been dedicated for use as a rescue centre for unwanted and abandoned animals. For 125 years thousands of needy animals have found rescue after ‘The Mayhew Home for Cats and Dogs’ was established to care for “the lost and starving dogs and cats of London so that they should have sanctuary from the cold inhumanity they are being dealt outside”.

Although, it is a sad fact, we are still as very much needed today in the 21st Century as much as in Queen Victoria’s era, we are nevertheless extremely proud that The Mayhew is still here is 2011 to provide help to both animals and owners in need.

Our rescue centre has struggled over the years, to keep providing our vital services, facing financial crisis, the impact of two world wars and facility disrepair, yet the relentless compassion and campaigning from animal lovers for over a Century has ensured we are still in a position today to rescue and re homing London’s dogs, cats and rabbits in need. Today’s facility is vastly different to the building established all those years ago. Although certain parts of the building still exist from its conception in the 19th Century, we have worked hard to fundraise in order to build and improve facilities to provide the highest possible animal welfare standards. month, and good homes are found for healthy animals.”

– From Willesden Monthly Illustrated

1911 “The objects of The Home are to provide shelter, food, care and good homes where possible, for lost and starving cats and dogs, and so far as may be found desirable to take in temporary boarders.

A carrier tricycle is employed in carrying the animals to and from The Home when the distance is not too great. No less than 3,500 animals passed through The Home during the year?”

– From The Willesden Chronicle

1925 “Through lack of funds, The Home, with house attached, had fallen into a state of disrepair. Both have

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The Mayhew

1940

now been thoroughly renovated, so that the Committee hope to be able to cope with the great need of this populous neighbourhood. The Committee appeal to the public for the continuance of their kind interest in The Home.” – From The Willesden Chronicle

1937 “Over 1,000 stray and unwanted cats and dogs are collected every

“After the outbreak of the war, surgeries at The Mayhew were still maintained but on a smaller scale owing to the huge evacuation of people and children from London in the anticipation of heavy air raids that did not materialise until later on. I remember how eerie it was to see the blacked out streets around Willesden Junction.”

– Mr Hugh Frost MRCVS

1950s “The First task in the mornings was doling out breakfasts. No tinned

foods in those days! Each day, a huge pan of meat was cooked, ready for the following day and this was cut up for the dogs and cats.” – From Memories of The Mayhew Animal Home: forty years ago by Mary Overy, The Mayhew Newsletter, 1995

1982 “Last year, more than 13,000 animals were looked after by the team of 12 staff. The society’s council says The Home has to close because it cost more than £100,000 last year to run.” – From The Willesden Observer

2000s In 2000 we rebuilt our Cattery after a generous legacy enabled us to refit to the highest standards.

Our ‘upstairs-downstairs’ accommodation means the cats looking for new homes can have a cosy bedroom area to snuggle up in and a downstairs play area, where they can eat and watch the world go by.

We refurbished our kennel blocks in 2001 and 2004 to establish a calm, relaxing environment, where dogs are enclosed in their own rooms with double tinted PVC doors in order to reduce their stress from seeing others passing their temporary homes.

They have warm, cosy beds and a range of toys, whilst music is played through the block to sooth – any visitors to our kennels are sure to verify just how quiet it is – even with over 25 dogs in at

any one time!

We are also very proud that in 2002 we established our own team of Animal Welfare Officers who provide support and advice to both animal and owner.

Their community programmes have grown from strength to strength.

In 2006, the veterinary clinic onsite had a major overhaul, thanks to a successful fundraising drive and we now have x-ray facilities and equipment which means we can carry out the majority of diagnostic tests inhouse speeding up treatment for our many patients.

Plans for 2011 Some of our new initiatives for 2011 to promote responsible pet ownership are as follows: • Kick-starting a new project with Brent Council and Hillside Housing Association on Responsible Dog Ownership in Brent.

• Developing a new in-house training for Mayhew adopted dogs.

• Creating and widely distributing two new

educational leaflets on dog care and cat care to ensure that all owners (and potential owners) understand the high level of responsibility and commitment required.

As a proactive organisation, The Mayhew is constantly looking at ways of getting to the root of the UK’s overpopulation crisis. Some key ways we are looking to boost our impact in 2011 are: • Setting a target to increase the volume of low cost neutering operations we perform as part of our onsite outpatient veterinary clinic by a staggering 10%.

• Creating and widely distribute a new educational leaflet on the importance of neutering and dispel the myths surrounds this relatively straight forward procedure.

• Looking into the feasibility of a free neutering scheme for cats.

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Strive for 1 Bake off!

Why not get your apron on and your baking tins out and hold a cake event for cats! (or dogs of course) If you are a cupcake queen or create sponges of splendour, then put your culinary skills to good use and hold a Tea Party for Pets! Baking is a great way to raise us some funds by asking friends to come round for an afternoon of tempting treats and to contribute at the end towards your compassionate cooking for the homeless animals in our care.

If there is one thing kids love to do it’s to make as much mess as possible! So a sticky sponsorship challenge is the perfect way to have fun over a half-term and make a few pence for a good cause to boot!

Doggy Paddle – pounds for paws!

Host a swimming event in your local pool and make a splash raising cash for the dogs, cats and rabbits in our care! This kind of fundraising event is perfect for groups of people who want to join in a charity task together. No matter age or swimming ability, you can raise sponsorship to reach your self-set target, be in 5, 10 or 500 lengths!

Keepie Uppies!

Whether it is keeping up a football, juggling with Indian clubs or seeing how long you and a friend can keep your dog’s favourite tennis ball up in the air, preventing it from touching the floor is the name of the game! If you enjoy your sport then recruit some sponsors to test your skills and catch some cash for The Mayhew when you finally set aside those balls!

Sponsor those soap suds!

Children are often the most enthusiastic in raising sponsorship for their favourite cause, so why not encourage your little ones to fill a bucket full of suds and hold a charity car wash? Neighbours are more than likely to drop a couple of pennies in a collection pot if they can put their feet up on a Sunday and watch the younger generation get tough on grease and grime!

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The Mayhew

125!

Keeping a roof over the heads of all our furry residents doesn’t come cheap. We have over 180 hungry mouths to feed at any one time and the bills soon mount up! We believe fundraising for charity should be all about fun, so if you wish to do something you enjoy and help support us on our anniversary, then you could Strive for 125 with some of our suggestions below!

Pedal power for pups!

Set yourself a target for your tyres and ask people to sponsor you on your bike ride for The Mayhew. Perhaps you could cycle 125 miles over a couple of weekends, or recruit some cycle-loving chums and do a relay and complete the 125 miles between you?

If you wish to create your own fundraising event, or sponsorship task for The Mayhew, then get in touch with Fran Llewellin, who can send you out a Sponsorship Pack and loads of information about The Mayhew and our animals to get you motivated!

Call 020 8968 2446 or email events@ mayhewanimalhome.org. Alternatively, write to Fran at The Mayhew Animal Home, Trenmar Gardens, Kensal Green, London NW10 6BJ

Best foot forward for fundraising!

Your dog needs to go for a walk; you enjoy the great outdoors, so combine the two for a charity challenge! Perhaps set yourself a target of 125 miles over a certain timeframe and pop on a Pedometer and you and your hound could be counting the money for The Mayhew before you know it!

Alternatively, join up with other dog walking groups or friends around the country and pass that Pedometer in a relay to hit your target mileage.

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Help The Mayhew Strive for 125 in Race to raise Mayhew money!

If you are a bit of a Sporty Susan, or a Keep-fit Kevin, then one of the best ways you can get your friends and family to sponsor you is to take part in a fun-run, or charity event and tot up money for mileage!

Every year, fantastic Mayhew supporters take part in the London British 10k for us and have raised thousands in previous years. But this is one of many events you can take part in annually to raise charity cash, so if you aren’t London-based, why not take part in one of the running events in your area and, and we’ll send you a sponsorship pack in the post.

Striving staff members!

In celebration of our grand old age, some of The Mayhew staff have volunteered themselves for some fundraising challenges to help us reach our Cattery roof target.

Some are, well, slightly more creative than others! See below.

It’s a dog’s life

Animal and Customer Care Assistant, Josh Keegan, has firmly taken up the 125th torch and is running with it, as he is going to be sponsored to spend 125 hours in one of our Mayhew dog kennels, paired up with another of our kennel residents!

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The Mayhew

Josh will be a kennel resident for 125 hours and will be treated like any other Mayhew resident, he will receive his meals at feeding time along with the other dogs and be taken out to exercise for the standard Mayhew four walks a day, and if he is lucky may be able to go to the park for a good run around with one of our fantastic kennel volunteers!

This unique fundraising task is a fantastic inventive way to raise funds to help more animals in our care as well as gaining a unique insight into the life of a dog in kennels. We are hoping to use footage of Josh’s experience to raise awareness of how an animal feels moving from a home to a kennel environment – to make people think twice about getting a dog in the first place and also giving them up.

Thanks Josh!

2011 by holding a fundraising event Doing it for Themselves

Here are some fabulous supporters who create their own fundraising opportunities for our animals in 2010!

• Lucy Valentine (right) held a sweet stall and a cake sale in aid of our homeless cats and dogs, showing you can fundraise at any age for animals! She raised a fabulous £73. Thanks so much Lucy!

• Plucky Sorcha MacDonald decided to throw herself out of a plane in summer 2010 (parachute attached!) and raised an eyewatering £2,635.73. A brave and benevolent lady!

• Elizabeth Vernell (left) completed the 2010 Adidas Women’s 5K Challenge for the Mayhew Animal Home, whilst four months pregnant and raised a whopping £325.00! Thanks Liz!

On Top of the World for the Mayhew In October 2010, I took part in a Trek to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

It seems like a bit of a dream now, but it was quite the most challenging thing I have ever done, both physically and mentally.

However, I am really pleased I did it and did it for The Mayhew.

We had a fantastic group of trekkers and the guides and local crew looking after us all were amazing, making the very basic conditions, hard physical slog and affects of high altitude much easier. Setting off on the final 1000m to the top, starting off in a blizzard, a temperature of -15C and in the pitch

black at midnight, I can quite safely say that without the help of my mountain guide, Brown, I would not have made it up or down.

On reaching Gilman’s Point just after sunrise, I was completely exhausted, but the views above the clouds of the sun coming up over Africa were stunning and made it all worthwhile.

I would like say a huge thank you to everyone who sponsored my efforts and am thrilled to have raised £3,438.97 for The Mayhew, which will be put towards both our domestic and international animal welfare projects in 2011. – Caroline Yates, CEO

If you undertake a Strive for 125 fundraising task then we would absolutely love to see your photos! Please email them to sarah@mayhewanimalhome.org or post them to to Sarah Dickinson, The Mayhew Animal Home, Trenmar Gardens, Kensal Green, London NW10 6BJ

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Spreading The Mayhew

Celebrity support is invaluable to The Mayhew, from helping to promote and atten voice on animal welfare issues in the media. Below are a selection of well known one of them for their dedication and active support of our work “We feel so lucky to have adopted three cats from The Mayhew.

Our first cat Cookie passed away last year. We had the best seven years with Cookie. Even though she’s gone I would never change the time we had with her. We adopted Esme and Radcliffe in May as kittens: they are the life and soul of our home.

As a society we are becoming more ruthless in our sense of dispensability so we are lucky that we have places like The Mayhew to give all these unwanted abandoned and stray animals a second chance.

We feel so proud to have given our cats a new home.

We cannot praise The Mayhew and all its volunteers and workers highly enough. For being the net for dispensability and the bridge for making so many households so happy. Thank you.

Susan Lynch and Craig Parkinson

Annabel Giles

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The Mayhew

“It's so important that The Mayhew is allowed to continue its excellent work for the next 125 years.

Let's make sure they can.”

Annabel Giles

“The Mayhew is my favourite local charity because like me they believe that animals deserve love, care and attention and above all, a home.” – Ricky Gervais “The first time I visited the Mayhew, I was blown away by the fact that this little jewel of a rescue centre had gone unnoticed by me for so many years. The absolute dedication of the staff to the mental and physical well-being of the animals in their care is truly inspiring. But it’s the little extras that the animals get that separate them from many of the rescues I have visited.

That extra mile that they are eager to go to for their charges. If you have visited, you will know exactly what I mean - and if you haven’t - what are you waiting for?”

BBC Dog Borstal’s Robert Alleyne

ew message!

nd our fundraising events to helping us get a faces who we would like to thank every single “Only afford yourself the pleasure of having an animal, if you know you can afford to care for it properly.” – Danny john jules, actor

Marc Abraham

Sue Jameson an Peter Egan d

“Looking after strays, abandoned or unwanted cats and dogs is just a part of what The Mayhew does. What I loved was the commitment to these animals. They will try and re-home as many as possible but the idea is to get people who want pets to ‘adopt’ them but only after an interview and a couple of house visits. I was so impressed with my tour and the spirit at the Home, I decided there and then to adopt two lovely kittens and because they were handled so well when they were tiny at The Mayhew, they are the most adorable cats you could wish for and are now part of our family. This is why I wholeheartedly support The wonderful Mayhew.” Craig Kelly

“After visiting The Mayhew to write an article on rescue dogs, I was so overwhelmed by the good work and commitment of your staff and volunteers that I knew I had to lend my support.Your centre really does offer a second chance to animals who would otherwise have no chance. I salute you all.”

“I’m so proud to be a supporter of The Mayhew in their 125th Year. They do such an amazing job promoting responsible pet ownership both here and abroad, as well as doing everything possible to make sure their homeless animals are happy, healthy and have the best chance of being found by their new forever families.”

Marc Abraham

Joe Mott, Daily Star Columnist

Sue Perkins

Wendy Turner Webster

“As the owner of a bull breed I worry about the reputation these dogs are getting when in the hands of irresponsible owners. The work the Mayhew is doing in educating the public is vital and is improving safety around all dogs.”

– Anna webb, barking at the Moon, BBC London

The Mayhew

19

Helping them get very thin girl who BERNIE had been over bred for puppies, her happy, loving nature shone through and it wasn’t long before new owners came along to give her that perfect happy ever after.

Bernie’s story was so unbelievable that we can certainly say he was very lucky CABBAGE AFTER to have those nine lives! Stuck in a third CABBAGE BEFORE floor flat when a fire ripped through the property, he wasn’t he Mayhew has seen by firemen and been rescuing only rescued by our the park deformed through animals for 125 AWOs three weeks lack of nutrition and with years and over this her ears brutally cut off. This later when a housing time has helped sunny girl stole all our hearts offer randomly countless cats, dogs, rabbits checking the and we couldn’t have been and many other species in property caught a glimpse of happier to wave her off to need. Providing them with her new home living with two ginger tail. This handsome boy medical care, love, nutrition had lived inside his whole life other dogs – look how she’s and finding them a new caring and endured a terrible trauma grown! home. Here are just a few of in the fire and the aftermath so Lola was the animals we’ve helped get found curled up outside The Mayhew on her bed one morning and CCTV footage LOLA AFTER revealed she had been brought by her owners and left LOLA BEFORE GUS there in the night. Although a back on their paws... and claws!

Cabbage’s shocking story hit the press after she was brought to us as tiny puppy who had been found in

T

20

The Mayhew

back on all paws Here are some of our more unusual rescues!

t

Our Animal Welfare Officers were more than a little surprised –and horrified-when they responded to a call about 15 ferrets sealed up in a bin.

t

Our garden cats certainly couldn’t believe the most decorative visitor to our kitten garden – a Peacock found wandering down Wembley High Road in London.

t

Our kitten garden has played host to many non-feline residents for short periods, the first being two 10 day old lambs found wandering in a garden.

we jumped for joy to hear how happy he is in his new house exploring stairs and the outside world for the first time.

Gus was also found terrified and hiding a local park with horrific injuries and malnutrition. This terrified boy needed a lot of veterinary care and one of our trainee vet nurses couldn’t help but give him his forever home at her house!

sOn New Year’s Eve 2010 a hamster cage was left outside The Mayhew. housing block with a rooster and his Our big-hearted Cat four hens, the kittens had to make way once more for their garden to provide Adoption Officer took Mindy straight home for a temporary shelter for this gang of new start to the year. homeless chickens.

sWhen our AWOs returned from a

The Mayhew

21

OUR Urgent 2011

Help keep a roof over

W

e are extremely proud that in this 125th year of helping animals in need, The Mayhew is still here to provide care, support and help for both animals and their owners. There continues to be an exceptional demand for our services and our commitment is to maintain the highest standards of animal welfare where possible, but we can only do that with your help.

Can you help us strive for this vital 125 project for hundreds of cats in need?

On site we have capacity for 150 cats and kittens at any one time.

We very much hope that in recognition of our 125th anniversary, you will help us reach our target,which will enable us to build a much needed new roof for our main cattery.

We pride ourselves on the high standard of cat and kitten cabin accommodation, with their two tiered individual cosy homes but the very roof over their heads is in desperate need of a 125th facelift!

The daily maintenance of our facilities remains one of our major challenges as parts of the building we work out of today have been around for more than a century!

It will cost us ÂŁ125,000 to build a new roof for our Cattery, which will be a longterm investment for sheltering the hundreds of cats

22

The Mayhew

and kittens in need that arrive with us each year. Cats like Adam, Billy and Bella.

100 kittens a year Billy and Bella are three month old kittens found wandering outside in the cold but their sad story is by no means unique as there were over 100 tiny kittens brought in to us this year. When all our kittens are fully vaccinated they can go out and play in our enclosed kitten garden, which they love! At present the kitten garden can only be used in fine weather. All that will change for the littlest residents with a new roof as part of the structure will include an overhang giving protection to part of the kitten garden.

Adam is one of our longest-staying residents on our Cattery, most likely because he is FIV positive. Thie feline immunodeficiency virus means that this gorgeous eight year old boy will need to live with an enclosed garden of his own, as the virus can be transferred to other cats.

With his affectionate character, Adam is much beloved by all the staff here. Not only for long-stayers like Adam, but for all our feline residents, it is essential that we provide the best environment as possible, which should also include good ventilation and adequate protection from the heat and the cold.

With a new roof, we will be able to provide our cats with the comfort and stress-free

appeal for cats

their heads environment they need during their stay with us, however long it takes to find the right home.

Why they need a new roof The roofing that currently sits over our Cattery has done us proud for 20 years. Unfortunately, general wear and tear has meant that the guttering is no longer able to withstand the changeable weather and the PVC roofing causes oppressive temperatures during the summer months and a lack of effective insulation in the winter – for cats, staff, students and volunteers.

What your donations will help us build!

If every one of our Mayhew supporters were able to donate just £12.50 today, we would be able to reach the needed target of £125,000 in just 24 hours! Not much to spare in order to give our wonderful cats a brand new roof for them and many others for future years to come.

The new roof design will sit like a canopy over the whole of the Cattery and also part of our kitten garden and rabbit accommodation to provide some shelter for the outdoor areas we have for these residents – they still want to run around even if it’s raining outside!

The design will provide for better insulation, better ventilation and air circulation and excellent temperature monitoring throughout the seasons.

We try to keep our rescue centre as environmentally friendly as we possibly can, and we wish to incorporate this into our new project. The improved insulation will help us

with heating bills in the winter and brand new guttering means we can introduce water tubs to collect and recycle the rain water. The new roof will also encompass as much natural light as possible and we are looking at some solar panelling which will also help to heat the cat cabins in winter.

2010 was a tough year for us as record breaking high number of unwanted cats arriving put a lot of pressure on our resources and staff. We continue to provide low-cost veterinary services in order to tackle the feline over-population crisis at its roots, as every cat we neuter will mean fewer unwanted litters being born and abandoned.

We all desperately wish that in 2011 we will see a dramatic fall in the numbers of cats and kittens in need, but we will always be on hand to rescue them, provide shelter for them and help them on their way to a new life.

Please help us provide them with the best possible care we can. For only the price of a train ticket, a DVD or a couple of boxes of your own pet’s favourite food, you will make a huge difference to hundreds of little lives who have nowhere else to turn if The Mayhew isn’t able to help and shelter them.

HOW TO DONATE: Please use the enclosed donation form and prepaid envelope, call 020 8968 2446 or visit www.mayhewanimalhome.org/125roof The Mayhew

23

Keeping a harmo

E

xpectant couples may often feel they’ll no longer have the time to care for their family dog or cat when a new baby arrives, or worry that they won’t get along but there is lots you can do to help your pet cope with this big change in much the same way parents help children understand that a new brother or sister will be joining the family. By following the tips below, you can ease your cat or dog’s stress, help

Preparing during pregnancy means your dog can stay where they belong – in a loving family home

24

The Mayhew

Advance training means you can feel confident over introductions when your baby comes home

them welcome your new baby, and ensure that your pet is able to stay where they belong—with you and your growing family.

Here at The Mayhew we receive many calls and arrivals

from animal owners who no longer wish to keep their dog, or cat due to the fact they are expecting a child, or have recently had a baby and they are not able to cope with changes in their home.

These dogs and cats may have been family members for many years and taking steps throughout the months of pregnancy and once a new baby arrives means that there is no reason a harmonious home for all cannot be maintained.

onious home It is easy to all get along

“Until our first child was due I had never been told the urban myths about cats and babies. I was stunned. Cats are maligned as creatures that are wont to smother your child just for a nice place to sleep. It would seem to me that they are as likely to do this as they are to be perched on the end of broomstick opposite a woman with a green face and pointy hat on the last day in October!

We have kept up Roxy’s ‘special time’ when Lexi goes to bed. Even just 10 minutes if that’s all there is time for. We regularly point Roxy out to Lexi and vice versa.

This only has to be done once or twice a week and always in a controlled environment i.e one of us supervising at all times. Lexi is now thrilled when Roxy comes into the room, she has tried a few tail grabs but we don’t allow it, we just encourage her to pat and stroke gently then clean her hands straight afterwards. Roxy will now happily sit nearby when we are playing with Lexi purring quietly as she observes her family.” – Kay Ryder

top tips No matter how much you plan ahead, the addition of a new family member will be difficult for your pet.

They are used to being the centre of attention, you can minimise this feeling by gradually accustoming your dog or cat to spending less time with you. Drastically decreasing attention, ignoring, or isolating your dog after the baby comes home will make your pet feel stressed. If your cat or dog is particularly attached to the mother-to-be, another family member should develop a closer relationship. That way, they can still feel loved and provided for while mum is busy with the baby.

Get your pet used to not entering certain rooms in advance of brining the baby home, so it doesn’t feel like a lot of dramatic changes all at once. Hormone diffusers like DAP or Feliway can often help in reducing anxiety in your pet when changes are taking place.

Train your dog to remain calmly on the floor beside you and only to jump up on furniture when invited.

Consider enrolling either yourself or your partner in a training class with your dog, and practice training techniques. Training allows you to safely and humanely control your dog’s behaviour and enhances the bond between you and your pet.

Accustom your dog to baby-related noises months before the baby is expected. For example, play recordings of a baby crying, turn on the mechanical infant swing, get up in the middle of the night and pour yourself a drink. Make these positive experiences for your dog / cat by offering a treat or playtime. Use a baby doll to help your dog get used to the real thing. Carry around a swaddled baby doll and use the doll to get your pet used to routine baby activities, such as bathing and diaper changing.

Sprinkle baby powder or baby oil on your skin so your pet becomes familiar with the new smells.

The Mayhew

25

Find me a home Featured on this page are a few of our present residents. All of them have been with us for some time and desperately need a home of their own. They each have their own delightful quirks and may need more understanding than others

Stanley

William

Ten month old Boxer Bull breed crossbreed Stanley is a very charming chap whose amiable personality means he just loves the company of everyone and is polite and plays well with other dogs. He adores his toys, especially a ball and will make a fabulous companion for someone willing to put in the training needed for a young dog.

Tyser When ten year old Tyser arrived at The Mayhew he was full of growls and hisses. He’s settled down now and is a real affectionate puss but still enjoys the odd growl, even while getting lots of attention and fuss, and clearly enjoying it! He never lashes out or show aggression, perhaps he’s just a grumpy old man!

Would you like to meet this contrary cat?

26

The Mayhew

William is currently the longest stayer in our Mayhew kennels, after arriving as a stray in September. This Doberman English Bull Terrier crossbreed is a wonderfully affectionate lad who just loves life. His high energy and lust for living needs to be matched by an owner who enjoys an equally high octane lifestyle and will love to go for adventures and games and continue his training classes. A fun, active dog who will make every day special with his winning personality.

Bagira

Bagira is a very handsome two year old male, who loves attention and fuss. He is also a bit of a squeaker and you can often hear his chatty squeaks in our Cattery when you to visit him for a cuddle! Bagira has been diagnosed with FIV, meaning he can’t live with other cats and ideally needs an enclosed garden, though he could be an indoor cat. You would never regret welcoming this cuddle King into your life.

Benji

Brains Ten month old Border collie cross Brains is a real cheeky chap, full of energy and good nature. He is lots of fun to be around and would suit an equally active person with a lust for life! Brains gets along well with dogs of all shapes and sizes and loves running about for a play in the park.

He would adore a home with an active family who’ll enjoy keeping his mind as well as his body entertained.

Benji is a lively, bouncy 14 month old Beagle looking for an active owner to keep up with his enthusiasm for games and adventures. He is a very clever boy who learns quickly and is eager to please.

Benji’s ideal home would be with another dog and an experienced owner who is around for most of the day.

Cheeky

Affectionate and beautiful five year old Cheeky needs a special calm home to help her recover from being callously dumped at The Mayhew. She’s a real people puss and will benefit from being an only cat with access to a small garden.

To enquire about adopting any of these fabulous Mayhew residents, please call 020 8969 0178 or email joanna@mayhewanimalhome.org for cat adoption.

Please email lisa@mayhewanimalhome.org about any of the dogs

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27

Part of the Team

Nikki Lee, Trainee Vet Nurse

Nikki Lee has been a part of the team at the Home since 2006. She has undertaken many different roles at our charity, showing just how much commitment she has. As part of our celebratory edition for The Mayhew’s anniversary, we share with you her experiences over a decade at our rescue centre.

During her 10 years, Nikki has seen a lot of change and has met so many animals in need who have touched her heart and gone on to happy forever homes – a couple of them to her own house!

Starting her Mayhew journey as a student straight out of school, Nikki began her training at a very different looking rescue centre to the one she works in today. “The Community Veterinary Clinic I work in now was built as a brand new facility in 2006. The old clinic was small and had less than half the equipment we are lucky to have now and used to sit next to our current Kennel area which has changed too.

There’s a new additional kennel area with toasty under-floor heating and outdoor run. There are also larger cat cabins thanks to a generous legacy for our cattery. Seeing all the change has been great and I am so pleased to still be a part of the work of The Mayhew as we embark on our 125th year. It is sad that we are still so very much needed in the 21st Century, but I hope that through the educational programmes and community work, there will no longer be the need for rescue homes in another 125 years – that would be the dream!”

When anyone comes to visit The Mayhew, one of the first questions is often ‘How do you not take them all home?’ and that is increasingly one of the most difficult aspects of the job. Nikki had done pretty well not ‘taking her work

28

The Mayhew

home’ until 2008 when three-year old Mastiff, Gus, arrived at the vet clinic in a horrific way.

With a broken hip, severe malnourishment and gripped with terror, Nikki led him on the road to recovery and knew that she had to be the one to give him a forever home. Gus now lives happily alongside two Mayhew rescue cats and a couple of ferrets!

“I’d been thinking about adopting a dog for a while and when Gus arrived I knew that I had to take care of him for the rest of his life. I love now working in The Mayhew vet clinic, but am so glad that I spent the time over the last ten years learning so much about animals from being a student and my night-staff role. I have experienced so much and I wouldn’t have ever got that knowledge from a book. This knowledge means that I feel confident in handling the animals I see regularly in our Nurses Clinics, for flea and worming treatments and all the different ones we have living here at the Home, that need vaccinations, neutering procedures and

sometimes, sadly, intense medical

treatment after suffering

extreme neglect or abuse. I

can’t think of a better

way to have spent a

decade than looking

after all the wonderful

animals here.”

NIKKI ON A visit to peru for mayhew international

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29

Age

The Golden

There are many things that improve with age: wine, cheese, whisky and of course the older something becomes the more value it can obtain. Age can also bring you wisdom and insight and the experience not to make the same mistakes as in the folly of youth.

So, why are our Golden Oldies often overlooked? A pensioner puss is much less likely to find their happy ever after as quickly as a sprightly young kitten and the greying muzzle of even the handsomest hound can mean they may not be considered for a forever home.

Perhaps it is the worry of loss, or medical bills that prevent potential adopters from welcoming a more senior pet into their home? These concerns needn’t be at the forefront of the mind when taking on an older pet as this is the reality of pet ownership of an animal of any age and the benefits of a more worldly companion are extremely rewarding, as many of our adopters know only too well.

““ “ ”

”

Me and my mum adopted the gorgeous Ellie who is 10 years old from The Mayhew in 2010. We chose her because she is absolutely wonderful in every way and age is not important. – Kay Ryder

I adopted Sam, an eight-year-old cross-breed, in 2006, who is now 12, and Holly, a 14-year-old Yorkshire terrier, in 2008, who is now 16. I feel the older dogs are definitely better established in their nature and personalities. It is a great opportunity and privilege I adopted Moo (when she was 12 to give an older dog a loving home yrs old) as I feel the oldies get for the rest of their life. One thing overlooked in favour of pups. It I have learnt is that you should must be so hard for them to have never be fooled by their age. From lived with someone for so long experience I have learned that a then be cast aside. It’s so sad to well loved older dog still can have see them in kennels, too, when as much energy as the young dogs they are used to the warmth and out there. My 12 year old can out comfort of a loving home. Plus run most of the dogs we meet in the park! I love oldies are much less work with my old guys; they are truly part of the family and regards to training and exercise, would never dream of replacing them with a younger which is always a bonus for first dog! I will always adopt older dogs and will always time owners. – Jamie Farr recommend the same to others. – Maria Markey

”

We have created two very special posters on pages 31 and 32 to promote the choice of a pensioner pet as a perfect adoption choice. It would be wonderful if our supporters could pull out these posters and pin them up in your local vets, libraries or community centres and help us share with others the beauty of these older animals and help find more of them forever homes.

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The Mayhew

Thinking of getting a kitten?

Really?

” I mean maybe you are looking for extra cleaning duties and early morning alarm calls. Perhaps you prefer the ‘distressed look’ for your furniture and fittings?

However, if you’re looking for a faithful friend then why not take a second look at us pensioner pussycats?

Age and wisdom are quite sought after qualities you know.

If you, like me, like to curl up on the sofa with your feet up then I’d love to join you. I’ll snooze while you watch TV or read your book and I can promise I won’t pounce every time you turn the page!

Don’t misunderstand me, I still love the great outdoors, but I would much rather bask in the sun on a warm patch of grass than disappear off adventuring these days. I can’t guarantee an attractive hot bed of soil won’t prove irresistible, but I can promise not to decapitate an entire bed of pansies in a hunting frenzy!

I’ve got nothing against the younger generation, I was a kitten too myself once and I admire their unlimitless energy. I remember well what it was like to be a frisky young cat, but admit I do look at curtains now and think what was so exciting about climbing them? What did I think was at the top: a seafood platter with catnip garnish?!

As you know, life throws up some unexpected twists and turns and I wish for nothing more now than to find a lifetime companion – preferably with a warm knee – to share my affection, loyalty and a furry ear and paw for whenever you need a friend to rely on.

www.mayhewanimalhome.org/cats

I mean maybe you are looking for extra cleaning duties and early morning alarm calls for urgent toilet breaks. Perhaps you prefer the ‘chewed shoe’ look?

However, if you’re looking for a faithful chum, an affectionate pal and a loyal companion then why overlook us Seniors? Age and wisdom are quite sought after qualities you know.

I’m more tea and crumpets than energy smoothies and a 5am walk. Like a fine wine, we hounds improve with age and I like to put my feet up and relax, so you won’t have to worry about keeping your toes hidden for fear they will be mistaken for toys!

Don’t get me wrong, I still love to run and play – In fact I’m often mistaken for only six years old! But at my time in life, racing around all day is best left for the youngsters and I would enjoy nothing more than a ramble in the park and woods to take in the view with

you, whilst we watch the pups dive in and out of the bushes.

As you know, life throws up some unexpected twists and turns and I wish for nothing more now than to find a

lifetime companion to share my love

with and lend you a furry ear for

whenever you need a friend to

rely on.

Thinking of getting a puppy?

Really?

www.mayhewanimalhome.org/dogs

Your Letters Dear Mayhew, We adopted Willowmena in 2007 and I just wanted to update you on her progress, she has been such a wonderful addition to our family and is very loved.

She has the sweetest nature and although sometimes she is still apprehensive about going into new rooms, she is very happy.

She came from another charity to you from Romania.

Thank you so much for the great work you do.

Mrs Karen Wilson and family Dear Mayhew, Ruby has settled in wonderfully. She needs two really good outings of at least an hour each and I usually top it off with a late night run in the little park at the end of my road. Pretty exhausting but it suits me fine and is helping me to get fit. In fact, I now refer to Ruby as my personal trainer.

Here’s a photo of her doing what she enjoys best, i.e. keeping an eye out from a vantage point in Richmond Park for any of her dog friends that need to be herded.

All the best, Robert

Hello Mayhew Here is a photo of Reggie, as promised. He has settled in very well – We couldn’t imagine life without him now. He is such a character and a great ambassador for his Staffy breed.

We would like to say a big thanks to you all for bringing us together. Derek & Lyn Doyle Dear Mayhew, As promised, a photo of Mystery!

He loves sleeping in a basket, chasing the fish tied to his string, and hiding under the washing.

Thank you for looking after him so well at The Mayhew, we love him very much. If you would like to come and see him one weekend we’ll make tea and cakes!

Lucy and Ian Hannent

We absolutely love to hear from you, so if you have anything you would like to share with or ask us, please get in touch by writing to Sarah Dickinson, The Mayhew Animal Home, Trenmar Gardens, Kensal Green, London NW10 6BJ or emailing sarah@mayhewanimalhome.org

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33

5

minutes with

Craig

Craig and Susan help us celebrate our 125th anniversary!

Parkinson & Susan Lynch

Craig Parkinson and Susan Lynch are not only successful actors, but they are also one of our favourite married couples who have adopted several lucky cats from The Mayhew, including taking two little kittens this summer. You can catch Susan in the new ITV series Monroe and Craig in the new remake of Grahame Green’s Brighton Rock, out in February.

There are always lots of news stories about unusual animal friendships: monkeys and kittens, dogs and horses. What animal counterparts would you liken yourselves to?

Craig: I would choose a dog because I am loyal, have boundless amounts of energy and occasionally bad toilet habits!

Susan: I would certainly be a cat, as I love warmth, being tickled and lounging around on the settee.

What are your earliest animal memories?

Craig: Walking around Blackpool zoo and feeling really sorry for the animals.

Susan: My cat Persia tapping on my bedroom window to get me to follow her into the shed where she gave birth to her kittens.

You have adopted cats in the past from The Mayhew. What are your favourite feline traits?

Craig: When they head butt my hand for a cuddle.

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The Mayhew

Susan: It is probably not a feline trait particularly, but our cat Esme had a total fascination with a Banksy documentary that we were watching recently. She sat on the edge of the bed glued to it and didn’t move for at least half an hour. We have it on video and it continues to make us laugh every time.

You both have successful acting careers. If you could make a film from any animals point of view, which ones do you feel would be most interesting? Craig: Definitely a film from the perspective of the animals in a travelling circus Susan: A film from the perspective of all the bugs in I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.

If you could get the answer to one question from your cats, what would that be?

Craig: Do you really have nine lives?

Susan: Are you really that happy when you purr or is it like some kind of inner automatic thing like sneezing?

Thank you!

A thumping great thank you to all who ‘bought In the last edition of our magazine, we appealed for help building a much-needed, brand new rabbit accommodation onsite at our rescue centre. We needed £10,000 in total, which was a big ask, but we are thrilled to deliver the news that we hit our target.

Thanks to your fabulous generosity, we are now putting the finishing touches to our fantastic new facility. Festive, Emlyn and Minnie are three bunnies who will be the first to put their best paws forward and move in to their brand new home!

One year old rabbits Emlyn and Minnie had a very lucky escape before they arrived at The Mayhew after a member of the public’s dog had sniffed them out in the box they had been dumped in, in a local park. These bunnies will be two of the new residents bouncing into their new homes very soon – keep an eye on our website for photos and video of their house warming party! www.mayhewanimalhome.org/rabbits Joining Emlyn and Minnie will be 8 month old female Festive, who was brought in over the Christmas period, simply no longer wanted after being purchased as a child’s pet.

We aim to raise public awareness about rabbits when people visit our new accommodation. Here are a few facts you may not know about our bobtailed friends: • Rabbits can live up to 6-8 years • Their teeth never stop growing so need regular dental checks at the vet • They can use hay as bedding but also need it as separate meal to aid digestion • You should never pick a rabbit up by its ears • Guinea pigs and rabbits do not make ideal living companions • Rabbits get very lonely and are happiest in pairs – most suitable of the opposite sex

a brick’ and helped bunnies in need

Diane Aderyn Katie Anderson Debra Andreadis Fiona Ash Maris Askin Ida Austin Yvonne Autie Katie Baker Karen Bargh Niki Barnwell Susan Barrett Lisa Bassett Adele Bateman Fiona Bennett Karl Bexley Fiona Bexon Tom Blacker Eileen Blatt Miss E A Blenkinsop Suzanne Blowes Charlotte Bonneton Pat Bourne Susannah Britcher Alan Brown Yvonne Burnett Margaret Casement Brad & Caroline Chang Tahira Chaudhri Sarah Chitty Hazel & Michael Churney Jessica & Jonah Clark Dan Clark Dennis Clarke Daniel Conway Jacqueline Conway Barbara M Cooper Mrs D E Courtney Elizabeth Cowan Karen Cox Jeffrey Coxon Brenda Cunnane Tulio Jose Pinto Da Silva Michelle Dawkins Mrs R P Day

John Dekker Tina Dennett Ken & Joan Dixon Selina Teresa Donnellan Caroline Doody Lois Dyer Jane Earle Stephanie Edwards Judy Edwards Cindy Edwards Elodie & Jay Evgenia Emets Victoria Jane Enright Sally Evans Stephen Featham Stella Fenwick Iain Fisher John Fleck Laura Freedman Judith Georgi Jasmine Gilkes Joan Goss Mr V L Green Jessie Grimond Colin Gunnell Roo Gunzi Pat Hannon Sandra Harmer Judy Harrison Anthony Harrison Gillian Harvey Anne Harvey Andee Hazout Mark Hesketh Sue Hogg Emma Hudson Carole R Huxtable Jenny Jackson Diane Jeffrey Dorothy Kemp Rebecca Kevane Meg Leitch Mrs E R Lillywhite Patricia Lock Lyndsey McCutcheon Eileen McGrath

Liz McHugh Miss A G Menon Sandira Michael Laura Miller Jeff Minter Cathy Missen Chris Moffatt Jill Moore Sonia Morales Rebecca Mordan Jemima Morville Mr J Murphy Shirley Nelsall Kaye Norbury Deborah O’Connor Parvaneh Parvin Julie Perrin Sue Petrosino Janet Philipson Daniel Pioro Riyaz Pradhan Judy Purves Dominic & Zachary Rae Janet Rawbone Zulekha Raza Anwar Michelle Reese James C Reese Jr Mrs I D Reeves Marilyn Resnick Enid ResnickReynolds Barbara Robertson Caroline Rodgers Carol RogersonMcCoy Liezl Ruurds Mrs L I Salisbury Mrs G Savoy-Voller Mrs R G A Sherman Susan Shoylekov Amy Slevin Ms T L Smith Rosemary Smith Gary Smith Rosemary Smith Jorgen & Hilary

Find out more about our new accommodation and the rabbits needing new homes at www.mayhewanimalhome.org/rabbits

Sonderskov Emanuela Spadoni Nicola Stockwell Charlene Stolper Drilla Stolper Susan Stowell Tina Stromlev Natalie Taggart Janice Teakel Julie Thornalley Audrey Thorne Jane ThurstonHoskins Elsie, Stephen & Jane Tinney Susan Tomlin Alice Viscione Spadoni Pietro Viscione Spadoni Martin & Karen Walker Ciaran Weldon Keira Whoriskey Rebecca Wigley-Smith Dr E A Williams Mr J R Willmore Patricia Wismayer Janet Wood Richard Wood Miss K M Woods Levichek Zinaida Mrs L Zographos Beta Sigma Phi England The Convent of Jesus & Mary Catholic Infant School, Willesden Green Vavasour Property Consultants Trusts The Beryl Evetts & Robert Luff Animal Welfare Trust The Bruce Wake Charitable Trust