DARTFORD ANIMAL RESCUE TEAM (DART)

By Ciara O’Hare

So what’s been happening at Dartford Animal Rescue (DART) this month?

We receive multiple calls and messages a day - especially at this time of year - but here’s an overview of July 2023:

This month we lost one of our founding members and the kindest powerhouse of a man I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting, Jeffrey Ward. Jeff was known to many in the animal rescue community and has been a dear friend of mine for many years. We’ve been volunteering alongside each other long before DART existed and he supported me through thick and thin. The world is far worse off for him not being in it. DART wouldn’t be the rescue we are today without him. We love you so much Jeff and our thoughts are with your amazing family and friends.

One of our wonderful baby bird fosterers, that I also have the pleasure of calling my younger sister Rosie, has been doing an amazing job this month raising two baby ring-necked parakeets. Their names are Algae and Moss. Algae joined us first after being found ice-cold and hungry on the ground in a park. Algae also had a small wound to the back of their head. After warming the little one up on the drive back to the rescue, I was able to begin treatment. Once Algae stabilised I began reaching out to other local rescues to see if anyone had recently admitted a baby parakeet that our little dude could be paired up with to give them the best possible chance of a “natural” upbringing while in captivity being raised by humans.

Not long after this our friends at Greenwich Wildlife Network admitted a baby parakeet, a little older than Algae but weaker and not as far along in their weaning. So Francis, one of our incredibly dedicated transport volunteers, did the journey over to Greenwich to collect the baby who we named Moss. Moss was not strong on their feet and was not eating independently but within 1 hour of meeting Algae they had already observed how to successfully demolish a grape. These green goofballs are set for soft release in the near future when they’re both big and strong. Algae is already starting to fly (very) short distances at (very) low heights off the ground. Rosie is very proud of their progress and we are very proud to have Rosie on our team raising countless groups of baby birds over the years.

Catch our next patient story in the next issue of Dartford Living magazine!

Dartford Animal Rescue Team, founded in 2021 by Ciara O’Hare, is a team of wildlife rehabilitators, veterinary professionals, transport volunteers and trained rescuers and fosterers. We also run a wonderful Microsanctuary called The DART House which is home to multiple disabled birds and other domestic animals. We predominantly rehabilitate and rescue wildlife but also have experience helping many domestic and farm species and if we can’t help, we’ll know another experienced team or individual to refer you to.

We are a queer, disabled, and woman run family rescue that’s proud to support and advocate for the rights of other species on this beautiful planet we share.

West Hill Neighbourhood Watch holds first pop-up event in Wilmot Park

In addition, there is an opportunity for residents to learn more about the Neighbourhood Watch charity, its national vision, its focus areas and the practical, real-life impact of these 3 connected West Hill schemes, both now and going forward. The coordinators are also keen to bust some myths that may exist around the previously perceived, ‘curtain-twitching’ nature of Neighbourhood Watch. With a key focus on improving the diversity and age demographics of the national charity, this modern Neighbourhood Watch is really primed, and is already making, significant difference in our local communities.

This event comes hot off the news that we will start to see ‘Bobby’s on the beat’ again as part of Kent Police’s commitment to neighbourhood policing, around West Hill, and the wider Dartford area.

On Saturday 19th August 2023 between 10am and 2 pm, the coordinators of West Hill Neighbourhood Watch, a bustling combination of 3 connected community schemes representing over 270 residents across the West Hill, Dartford area, will hold their first pop-up event in Wilmot Park. The overarching purpose of this event is helping local residents connect and to offer a space to share experiences linked to anti-social behaviour, crime and other community topics.

Approved by Dartford Council, this pop-up event will take place at the entrance to Wilmot Park. This location has been chosen as it will allow for a mix of conversations with parents, playground users and dog walkers alike.

You can find out more about the event and register your attendance at the Facebook event which can be found at https://fb.me/e/6hRuKnmvb. You can contact Garry for more info on 07500 660214 or via email at yourwesthillnhw@gmail.com.