Apologies for the absence i have been really busy with work and other things but im here now so don’t fret. It's been an amazing 10weeks and roughly 3weeks left ;(, time has really flown and I settled in so well it was if id always been there. I have been working away on our Facebook page with the 'This just in' news which is proving to be very popular with the general public on seeing the volume and variety of animals we get in, from horses to dogs, cats, fowl, reptiles etc We have a wonderful story at the moment of little 'Izzy' the puppy rescued by a brave mother and her son on the canal in March from youths which had been using her as a football, definitely have a look when you get a chance she is adorable, she is in our office at the moment everyday as Natasha one of the adoption assistants is fostering her and she requires regular feeds. I’m still working away on the surrender project and have been in contact with the Richmond SPCA in America who have a very successful program I will be looking at implementing some of their ideas and help to educate the public on ways of 'getting rid' of their unwanted pets. Over the past few weeks we have had numerous types of surrenders from stray cats and kittens which cannot be helped to be loved family pets. Many many cats for various reasons some genuine and some that wont put in the effort for whatever reason. I’m still getting on average 4 calls a day from the public trying to surrender dogs, allot are people who will not persist with their dogs or are not willing to bring them with them wherever they are going, its frustrating and upsetting at times, there are of course genuine people which we try and accommodate when we can but space is a massive issue for us. We have had cockatiels, terrapins, ferrets to name a few over the last while, we do our best to rehome these. I spent a short while at reception last week and within the space of half an hour I was handed a Jack Daw (resembles a blackbird) literally into my hands, a blackbird came in a wine bow which had been injured in some way and a Terrapin in a shoe box which a man found just sitting by the canal. They are all assessed by the veterinary team. Kitten season has kicked in, it’s not in full swing yet but we are seeing mammy cats and their kittens coming in already, we have had a few litters, some have been very sick or feral and most are out to foster at the moment, they are not rehomed then until they are 10weeks. We have some of the most adorable ones at the moment being fostered by staff my heart melts when I see them ahhh, ill post some pictures below. The last two weeks have been mental with Mini Marathon mailings etc, myself and Colleen created packs and emailed thousands of ladies who have registered their interest with us with the hope that they will sign up and run on our behalf. We are looking for 1000 ladies this year which is a big feat but hopefully we can get that, as you know we rely on the public for funding. I’m running in the race this year along with my sister and my friends, I cannot wait and im going to do my utmost best to show the animals how much we care, id really appreciate it if you would consider sponsoring me if you are not already running in the race for us or anyone else or sure just want to sponsor me anyway ;), you can sponsor me directly or online here please www.mycharity.ie and search for 'Marlene Linnie' you will see my 2011 race. Thanks guys and dolls. The vet clinic and boarding kennels have gotten off to a great start, i have been helping out in the vet clinic when I can and aim to continue to do so by means of volunteering when my committed time is up. Its great experience, learning loads about clinics, animals, how clinics work and of course meeting people and their beloved pets. I have moved my own Oscar here and my parent’s cat, the girls are fantastic, the facility is top class and again 100% of the profits go back into the shelter. We are on schedule for our dog park in roughly September, it will be a confined and secure park in the grounds of the Dublin SPCA where people can bring their dogs to play and mix with other dogs. Its going to be a gorgeous park with a fountain and dog playing jumps etc, all dogs will require the kennel cough vaccination and members will have free access and other benefits like discounts in the boarding kennels etc cant wait it will be fab especially since its at the foot of the mountains with the most amazing views. So much more going on I could be here all week. We kicked off our Horse Amnesty programme last month with the support of the Mayor of Dublin, you can read all here http://www.dspca.ie/dspca/NHAP, I hope I don’t have to remind you of the events of Smithfield horse fair over the last few months, between stabbings, shootings and riding horse wild through the fair where children are present. Some of the animals here and all around Dublin and Ireland are severely neglected, it takes a horse 3months to starve so I do wonder what these people do be doing during this times. The amnesty aims to reduce the numbers of horses ending up in unregulated sales, such as Smithfield, and prevent the unnecessary suffering that many animals are forced to endure. The National Horse Amnesty programme is designed to encourage horse owners who are no longer able to care for their horses to seek help and advice from the Dublin SPCA . This represents a major shift in the Dublin SPCA service from fire-fighting to proactively working with horse-owners and concerned citizens to assist the animal before it is too late. With this programme we can assist the animal before it suffers through starvation, injuries or lack of veterinary care or finds itself being sold on at unregulated markets or to unscrupulous dealers. This is a fantastic programme, do read more on it and if you want any further information do feel free to contact me. Lastly for now anyway, im working with the Vodafone Foundation office to bring our Dublin SPCA mobile unit out to Vodafone’s Dublin premises in the next two weeks, there will be myself an adoption assistant and vet nurse on the day to answer any of your pet questions, we will have goodies and we will be providing information to people who would like to support us in the Mini Marathon and also to promote our new vet clinic and boarding. Natasha will hopefully be with me and will bring MJ her gorgeous pup rescued from a bad situation which he lost a leg. Hope to see you all there guys ill let you know the exact dates once confirmed by Vodafone. Thanks for reading and I hope you will consider sponsoring me in the Flora woman’s Mini Marathon, joining me in the run or becoming a monthly supporter with the Dublin SPCA. Ciao for now ya'll, Marlene
Terrapins found in a box in Fonthill Ind Est today abandoned
Bird in wine box
Izzy playing
Kitten
