Issue 10 I Summer 2020 I themayhew.org
In this issue... Coronavirus: coping in a time of crisis
Summer first aid for pets Happily rehomed!
SUMMER 2020
A letter from our CEO, Caroline Yates
Welcome to your summer Tails magazine. This issue is slightly
different from usual, as you may expect during what has been such an extraordinary time.
Front cover 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: Bonnie Baker, Natalie Corbett, Jess Feehan, Audrey Granger, Sarah Hastelow, Alissa Johnson, Pooch & Pineapple, Amy Rutter, Georgie Wishart, Natassja Yoxall, Tamara 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
The effects of the coronavirus have been felt across the globe, with devastating losses and many hardships. For Mayhew, the impact has been felt on many levels. We responded quickly to government guidelines to ensure the safety of staff, volunteers and service users, but we then needed to find new ways to work within the restrictions so we could continue to help animals and pet owners in need, both from our London facilities and overseas. Our fundraising revenue has been hit hard. Some of our regular income has dried up and a number of our events have been cancelled; it is likely that several events later in the year will suffer the same fate.
On pages 4 to 6 of this issue you can read how we have adapted our programmes and services, including holding virtual TheraPawsTM ‘visits’ and providing both a listening ear and practical e-support to the most vulnerable owners and their pets in our communities. On pages 18 and 19 we also hear from Mayhew vets working on the ground in Georgia and Afghanistan, who explain the impact of the pandemic on our programmes there. I am so proud of everyone at Mayhew and how resiliently they have responded to the disruption and challenges the charity has faced during this pandemic. It has not been an easy time and the road ahead is unsure. I also want to send heartfelt thanks to our muchvalued volunteers and to our loyal supporters – it is only with your help that we will be able continue our vital work.
Also in this issue…
On page 9 you’ll find the rescue story of Elsa and her newborn kittens, and on pages 16 and 17 there’s a picture purrfect gallery of some of the cats and dogs who found their forever homes earlier this year. Plus, if you have a dog or cat, there are some handy first aid tips on pages 10 and 11 for dealing with common summer pet emergencies.
Contents 04
The coronavirus pandemic: supporting the animals and pet owners in our communities
10
Summer first aid for pets
Staying safe overseas
07
Mayhew news
12
Indoor and FIV+ cats
Reducing the ‘carbon paw print’ of your pet
08
‘Lucy’s Law’ now in place
15
A tribute to Cassie
09
Happily rehomed
A Frozen rescue: Elsa and her kittens
18
20
16
22
A pawfect partnership for Mayhew!
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SUMMER 2020
SUPPORTING our
community in a time of crisis
I
n the early months of this year, the coronavirus (Covid-19) spread throughout the world. Many people’s lives have been affected and our thoughts remain with all those who have lost friends and family to the disease. At Mayhew, we have followed all government guidelines and taken immediate and proactive steps to ensure the health and safety of our staff, volunteers and service users, including introducing
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homeworking and furloughing some staff where appropriate. With great regret, we asked our wonderful volunteers to stay away until the crisis had passed.
We quickly restricted many of our physical services, including stopping outpatient clinic appointments, pausing adoptions, restricting rescue responses to life or death situations, and postponing our TheraPaws visits and much of our outreach work, both in London and overseas. At the same time, we put in place measures to ensure we could keep going
during a hugely challenging period for our whole community and beyond.
Our Animal Welfare Officers have adapted our focus to remotely supporting our community with telephone advice and contactless drop-off of supplies to those most in need. TheraPaws sessions for care home residents, mental health units and hospitals have moved to a virtual format, and our Marketing and Fundraising teams have launched new online events and initiatives to stay in touch with our supporters. We are hugely grateful to all our staff who have continued to come into work to look after the many dogs and cats under our care.
TheraPaws goes VIRTUAL
Our TheraPaws programme has gone virtual, with our volunteer teams running video sessions with people in care homes, hospitals, child and adolescent mental health units, and schools. We have also been collaborating with our local councils and community groups to reach out to isolated individuals and front-line key workers to offer support and time out with one of our friendly volunteers and their TheraPaws dog. “Anything we can do to maintain a sense of normality is soothing to all involved, and so I’m relieved to be able to offer these virtual TheraPaws visits.” Heather, TheraPaws volunteer
Amazing FOSTERERS
As people across London began to be furloughed or were asked to work from home, we were inundated with offers to foster animals – almost 200 people applied in the first few weeks alone. Getting as many cats and dogs out of the shelter environment had never been more crucial, and by the end of May we were able to remotely assess and train 14 new foster carers, with 46 animals safely moved to their foster homes.
“Clients are really grateful that we are helping to keep them safe by delivering their essential pet supplies direct to their doorstep so they don’t need to leave the house. They’ve said they’re looking forward to being able to come back to our vet clinic for their pets’ vaccinations, and we are looking forward to welcoming them back too!” Pam, Registered Veterinary Nurse
“We’ve given five gorgeous kittens a loving home during lockdown and the staff at Mayhew have been brilliant in supporting us despite the restrictions, including dropping off medication and supplies. It has been an absolute joy watching these babies develop and we’ve been paid back tenfold in cuddles and purrs!” Nicky, foster carer
SUPPORTING people to care for feral cats
DELIVERING vital supplies to those in need
As soon as restrictions were announced, our Animal Welfare Officers began contacting our most at-risk clients to see how they were coping and find out what support they needed. At the same time, we began receiving calls and emails from people who were unable to leave their homes or access supplies for their cats and dogs. We swiftly began assembling essential care packages of food, flea and worming treatment, litter and enrichment materials to safely deliver to those who needed them. We had delivered care packages to 49 pet owners by mid-May.
Clinic by COURIER
We quickly made the decision to cancel all outpatient clinics and surgeries, and all elective operations for animals in our care. Not only did this mean we could move to an on-call model which met social distancing guidelines, it also meant that we didn’t need to use vital stocks of personal protective equipment or oxygen during a national health crisis. Instead, our expert Clinic team turned their attention to creating a catalogue of helpful information and advice for our website. We also trialled a delivery service, where flea and worming treatment was dropped to clinic customers who live near to Mayhew. We delivered medication to 54 pets in 47 different households in the first few weeks.
With our clinic services reduced, most elective neutering was put on hold, which unfortunately meant we were unable to conduct our vital Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) programme during the busiest period of the year: the start of kitten season. While they continued to respond to life or death situations where possible, our Animal Welfare Officers focused on providing remote support for people to help them keep an eye on their local feral cats themselves. We responded to dozens of calls and emails in March and April alone, and delivered food and essential supplies to those who needed it, especially when newborn kittens were involved.
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SUMMER 2020
Keeping SPIRITS UP!
A week before the UK went into lockdown, we made the difficult decision to ask our amazing volunteers to stay at home and stop coming in to help out at Mayhew. We worked speedily to understand what staff were needed on-site to look after the 70 animals still in our care, and those staff members have been travelling and working in challenging, distanced circumstances ever since. We are hugely indebted to them, and both the wider team and our sorely missed volunteers have enjoyed seeing snippets of how they and the animals have kept safe, motivated and happy – for example, with this agility day!
HELP US continue to support people and pets
S
ince the coronavirus took hold, Mayhew’s focus has been on protecting our people and animals, while adapting our services so we can continue to support our community. However, we are funded solely by donations, and our finances have taken a huge hit because of the pandemic.
Cancelling and postponing fundraising events such as our annual open day in May and Hounds on the Heath in July was absolutely the right thing to do to protect our staff and supporters. But these events are a big part of our fundraising efforts, and we have missed out on tens of thousands of pounds of potential income. The income we usually receive from our physical services, such as clinic appointments and adoptions, has also been dramatically reduced. For a charity our size, losses like this can be devastating. “There really is no way to fully express how much we miss our volunteers. They do an amazing job supporting us, the animals and the people in our community. Staying connected at this time is so important, and we are keeping in touch with volunteers through our Facebook group and with regular emails and video calls with our CEO and staff.” Nathalie Quinn, Volunteer Coordinator
Mayhew’s website has become a coronavirus hub. Visit themayhew.org for everything from information on making sure your pet stays groomed, enriched and healthy, to uplifting stories to keep us all going during these worrying times.
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We are so proud of the adapted services we are continuing to deliver, such as care packages for vulnerable pet owners, virtual TheraPaws sessions for unwell and isolated people, and a helpline for those in our community who are worried about an animal. But all these things need funds to be able to continue – and as we look ahead, we expect demand for our support to increase as more and more people struggle to care for their animals and turn to us desperate for help. The interruption to our Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) programme alone means there will be a boom in feral kittens, leading to more cats who need our care than ever.
With all this in mind, we are appealing for your help. The cover sheet of this magazine explains how you can make a donation to help us cover the costs of being there for the animals and people in our community during this crisis, and as we all start to rebuild over the coming months. Whatever you can spare will really make a huge difference, and we are confident that we can continue to rely on our amazing supporters to help Mayhew through this difficult time. Thank you.
News
Till we meet again
A year of amazing progress
In line with government advice during the coronavirus pandemic, we made the decision to cancel several events that had been planned for spring and early summer. We were unable to go ahead with our annual open day in May and also with Hounds on Heath, which was due to take place in July. Not only are these two events the biggest fundraising opportunities in our calendar, they are also a wonderful chance to meet up with everyone, and we were particularly disappointed not to be able to see you all.
At the time of going to press, we are waiting to hear if we will be able to proceed with the events we have planned for later in the year. Decisions will be made in line with government advice and with protecting people’s health as a priority. For the latest updates, please visit our events webpage: themayhew.org/events.
Turning to digital
With the lockdown in place and public events on hold, we looked for different ways to engage with our supporters and have some fun! In early April, we set up a weekly online quiz, with participants putting their knowledge to the test across a range of subjects. There were even some Mayhew-based brain teasers!
Our 2019 annual review is here – and it’s an end-of-decade special! Read stories of the animals and people we’ve helped, and a special foreword from our Patron, The Duchess of Sussex, about the current challenges facing all of us: themayhew.org/making-animpact.
Also in April, we held our first-ever virtual pet show, the Work From Home Pet Awards, inviting pet owners to submit a photo of the four-legged friend who’d been lending them a helping paw while they worked from home. The competition was furrocious, but with the help of an online public vote, we were able to whittle down the entries and crown our winners, including adorable puss Saffron and gorgeous husky Luna, who were our ‘Furry Employees of the Month’!
Trevor settles into his forever home
We were delighted when husky Trevor (cover star of our winter 2019 issue) found his forever home in February. He had been at Mayhew for over five months and we had grown very fond of this lively and intelligent lad. Trevor’s new owners recently sent an update and it sounds like he really has got his paws under the table! “Trevor has become an integral member of the family and is a real character! He’s very playful and sociable and a joy to be around. We’re so happy we decided to adopt him. I really thought he was going to be a handful and was prepared to do whatever it took for him, but he’s been joy to have.”
Congratulations
and thank you to our CEO Caroline, who raised over £2,000 for Mayhew in April by walking 26,000 steps with her four-legged pal Sophie as part of the 2.6 Challenge!
To keep up with the latest news from Mayhew, visit themayhew.org/news or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I 7
SUMMER 2020
Lucy’s Law: brighter future for abused animals like Cyril
W
e are thrilled that new legislation to end puppy and kitten farming finally came into force in April this year. ‘Lucy’s Law’ (also referred to as the ‘Third Party Ban’) is named after Lucy, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel who died in 2016 after being subjected to appalling conditions on a Welsh puppy farm. The new legislation means that puppies and kittens under six months old can no longer be sold by or through a third party: for example, a commercial pet shop. Anyone wanting to buy or adopt a young puppy or kitten must either purchase the animal directly from a breeder or visit an animal rehoming shelter.
As well as establishing tighter breeder licensing laws, Lucy’s Law prohibits the early separation of puppies and kittens from their mothers. Sales will only legally be able to be completed after the animal is eight weeks old, in the home or environment in which they were born and in the presence of the breeder and the animal’s mother. This will help prevent members of the public being tricked by unscrupulous thirdparty sellers, who subject puppies and kittens to terrible conditions and do not have the animals’ welfare at heart. 8 I
For Cyril, an eight-year-old Pomeranian cross rescued from a puppy farm last year, the introduction of the ban came too late. When our Animal Welfare Officers found Cyril, he had been attacked by another dog and was covered in deep wounds. He had heavily matted fur, was missing a couple of teeth and showed signs of suffering from psychological trauma. We strongly suspected he had been used for breeding. Thankfully, Cyril responded to our expert treatment and care, and slowly began to recover physically and emotionally. He was eventually adopted by a loving new owner, who is continuing his gentle rehabilitation programme.
The decision to ban third-party sales was taken after public consultation in 2018 revealed that 95% supported the legislation, and follows years of high-profile
campaigning by animal welfare charities including Mayhew, RSPCA and Pup Aid, alongside award-winning vet and author Marc Abraham. We are proud and thankful to be a part of the coalition that brought about Lucy’s Law, and we hope that it finally puts an end to the suffering and abuse of animals like Cyril.
“The cold never bothered her anyway”
A
north London newsagent got the surprise of his life earlier this year, when he discovered a heavily pregnant stray cat looking like she was about to give birth just outside his shop.
The young cat had been pacing around and was clearly looking for a safe place to settle down, away from the freezing cold rain and ongoing storm. Recognising her as the cat he and his wife occasionally fed, the newsagent called Mayhew for help, and gave her a cardboard box to shelter in while they waited. When Animal Welfare Officers (AWOs) Georgina and Tania arrived on the scene, they found mum and three newly born kittens out in the courtyard. As the cat had been trying to shelter with her kittens from the storm, our AWOs named the family after characters from the film Frozen: mum Elsa and kittens Anna, Kristoff and Olaf. While Anna and Kristoff were doing fine, unfortunately the third kitten, Olaf, was
lying motionless and showed no signs of life. Georgina gently picked Olaf up, intending to bring his body back to Mayhew, but to her surprise and delight, he reacted to the warmth of her hand and made the tiniest of movements. Realising he was still alive and had a chance to be saved, Georgina took him straight over to our emergency response van and warmed him up inside using the heater. Meanwhile, Tania gathered up Elsa, Anna and Kristoff. None of them showed signs of being injured or unwell, so she settled them down together in the van before driving quickly back to Mayhew. On the way, Georgina made sure Olaf remained warm and continued to hold him in front of the heater.
The new family was given a preliminary health check before we bedded them down for the night to rest, recover and bond in a cosy cabin in our Kitten Block, kitted out by our Cattery staff with heat pads and soft blankets.
However, the story didn’t end there! To everyone’s shock, Elsa gave birth overnight to three more kittens, and her ‘second’ litter – who we named Blaze, Sparky and Ember to represent their rather more warm welcome to the world – were soon safely snuggled up with their brothers and sisters. The six kittens and Elsa are currently being well looked after and seem to get on like a house on fire. All being well, they will be placed up for adoption as soon as we are able to open our doors to the public again.
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SUMMER 2020
Summer first aid for pets W
e may have been restricted during the coronavirus pandemic in the amount time we can spend outside, however being able to make the most of the warmer weather for any length of time can be a real joy. Unfortunately, pets can be at increased risk of injury and illness during the summer months. We asked one of Mayhew’s Registered Veterinary Nurses, Kelly, for advice and first aid tips for some of the most common summertime pet emergencies.
Heat stroke
Heat stroke results from a sudden rise in body temperature (hyperthermia) when an animal is no longer able to self-regulate their temperature. More commonly seen in dogs, obese pets and brachycephalic (flatfaced) breeds are most frequently affected
As heat stroke can be fatal, it’s important to recognise the early signs in order to seek medical help as soon as possible. Signs of heat stroke can include:
• increased temperature (feeling hot to touch) • rapid, heavy panting
• weakness or collapse • drooling
• dark (red or purple) gums and tongue • vomiting and/or diarrhoea
Other symptoms to look out for: restlessness or distress (such as barking or whining), excessive thirst, racing heart, glassy eyes, seizure or unconsciousness.
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If you suspect that your pet is suffering from heat stroke, you should immediately move them to a cool, shaded area and contact your vet urgently. You will likely be advised to cool your dog’s head and body by wetting with tepid water, and to continue this on the journey to the vets. Be careful not to use, or immerse the dog in, very cold water as this can lead to their body temperature decreasing too rapidly, which could be equally harmful. You can also offer them a small amount of cool water to drink, but do not allow them to gulp down excessive amounts as this could cause vomiting and further dehydration.
As always, prevention is better than cure, so make sure your pets always have a cool, shaded area to retreat to and access to fresh drinking water. For dogs, try to restrict exercise on hot days, and go for a walk in the early morning or evening when it is cooler. It is also advisable to avoid long car journeys if possible and, of course, never leave a dog in a parked car.
Insect bites
Most insect bites cause only minor irritation and can be treated at home. Apply an ice pack (wrapped in a clean towel) or a cold damp towel to the area to reduce pain and swelling. Monitor your pet for signs of an allergic reaction (swelling to the face, difficulty breathing, sickness, disorientation or collapse) and contact your vet if necessary for advice and any treatment.
Wasp and bee stings
Cats and dogs sometimes see wasps and bees as furry little playthings, but their curiosity carries the risk of them being stung!
For bee stings, remove the stinger (wasps do not leave a stinger behind) by scraping a credit card or similar over the affected area. Don’t use tweezers as this can result in more venom being released into the body.
Bathe the area to neutralise the sting. For bee stings, use bicarbonate of soda mixed with a small amount of water, and for wasp stings, use vinegar and apply with a cotton wool ball. You can also apply an ice pack (wrapped in a clean towel) or a cold damp towel to the affected area for around 10 minutes to help reduce pain and swelling. Contact your vet if your pet has been stung in the mouth or throat, has been stung multiple times or is showing signs of a severe allergic reaction. Keep an eye on your pet for at least 24 hours as the reaction can sometimes be delayed. Never give your pet antihistamines, unless directed to do so by your vet.
Sunburn and paw burns
We are all aware of the perils of summer sun, so look out for your pets when the heat ramps up!
Prevention of sunburn is much better than treatment, so protect your pet by ensuring that they have a shaded area to go to. For those with short hair, white hair or pink ears, you can also apply pet-specific sun cream* when they venture outside. If your pet does burn, you can apply a cool compress, such as a cold flannel, to soothe the area. *Beware of using human sun creams as some include ingredients such as salicylates, zinc oxide and propylene glycol which are toxic to pets.
Paw burns are painful and dogs are particularly at risk when walked along hot pavements or on sand.
Again, prevention is the best policy. A good way to check whether a pavement is too hot for your dog is to place the back of your hand on the ground for 5 seconds – if it is too hot for you, it is too hot for your pet! It is advisable to walk dogs early in the morning or later in the evening when it is cooler, or walk on grass instead.
For light burns, use cold compresses or cool running water to cool the burn; however, severe burns to paw pads are likely to require veterinary attention, so contact your vet as soon as possible.
Mayhew is proud to be RCVS accredited, awarded following a rigorous assessment to ensure that our clinic is providing a high standard of care for our patients and clients.
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SUMMER 2020
The great indoors L
onger evenings and the sun warming our faces: summer has arrived. As we go to print, we are in the middle of a pandemic, but we can at least get some exercise by going for a wander outside. Outdoor time is essential – and it’s the same for our feline companions, right? Well, actually, that’s not always the case. A cat that’s recovering from an operation may need to stay indoors temporarily, and those with health issues such as poor hearing or vision may need to stay indoors indefinitely for their own safety. Likewise, cats infected with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) should be kept inside the home and only allowed outside in a safe, enclosed garden so they can’t come into contact with other cats. So what can you do to keep an indoor puss happy and safe?
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The importance of play
All cats need a stimulating environment, and playtime will keep your cat fit and healthy, as well as encouraging a bond between you. Cats can get tired of seeing the same old toy, so it’s best to have a variety that can be rotated to prevent boredom. “We recommend games where the cats have to run about, such as fishing rod toys or little balls that they can bat around,” says Tanya Madden, Mayhew’s Deputy Head of Animal Welfare.
Cats are hunters by nature and are not designed to have their food handed to them on a plate, so you can also add interest at mealtimes with the use of food enrichment toys. Puzzle feeders, which need manipulating to release dry food, can help to keep your cat stimulated and less likely to show behaviours associated with boredom and frustration. If you fancy making your own feeding toy, you can find step-by-step instructions on our website: themayhew. org/how-to-make-a-puzzle-feeder-foryour-cat.
Bring the outside in
A useful tip to keep indoor cats happy is to grow cat grass for them to munch on. You could also get a window bed so your cat can safely watch the world go by.
The needs and welfare of our cats are assessed by Mayhew staff on an individual basis, and sometimes those cats that are considered indoor cats may actually be able to use outdoor spaces like gardens, patios or balconies if they’re fully enclosed. To give your indoor cat safe access to the outdoors, you can secure your garden with specialised enclosures or cat-proof fencing from a reputable company such as ProtectaPet.
What is FIV?
FIV is a viral infection that causes cats to have a weakened immune system, leaving them more vulnerable to other diseases. It’s usually transmitted through bite wounds from an infected cat, so unneutered cats, ferals and strays are most at risk due to their territorial fighting. According to International Cat Care, FIV is about twice as common in male cats as female. Although there is no vaccine in the UK to protect cats against FIV, you can greatly reduce your cat’s risk of contracting and spreading FIV by neutering them, as it means they are less likely to roam and fight.
As FIV-positive cats are more vulnerable to other ailments, treatment is focused on the management of these if they occur – for example, vaccinating against cat flu and conducting routine dental care to avoid mouth infections. Like all cats, FIV-positive felines need a good diet and should have a veterinary consultation at least once yearly to identify any early signs of disease. Although the infection is permanent, the prognosis is not all bad as long as it is carefully managed, says Mayhew’s Senior Veterinary Surgeon Justin Ainsworth.
“FIV is a manageable infection, with many cats living healthy lives.” Justin Ainsworth, Senior Veterinary Surgeon
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SUMMER 2020
Under the spotlight: Aslan
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slan, a stunning Norwegian forest cat with FIV, was snapped up by Chloe earlier this year, after just three weeks in our care.
“My heart pounded when I read Aslan’s [story],” she says. “I don’t know what it was that gripped me, but I knew Aslan was the one!”
Chloe knew very little about FIV, so Cat Adoption Officer Matthew talked her through the condition. “It didn’t worry me or change my opinion about adopting a cat with FIV,” Chloe adds.
As part of Mayhew’s adoption process, adopters are interviewed and homechecked to ensure they are the right match. Mayhew Home Visitor Bev suggested to Chloe that Aslan could have access to the
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garden if they could make it safe for him, so they installed cat-proof fencing and Chloe always supervises him when he’s outside. Chloe thinks the joy Aslan has brought her family has made the coronavirus lockdown much easier to cope with: “Aslan brings a smile to our faces every single day. We have said so many times recently, thank goodness we have Aslan!” The beloved puss can even tear Chloe’s teenage sons away from their computer games – apparently he’s the only family member who can do so!
Thinking of adopting an indoor mog? Here’s what you need to know:
• An indoor cat will rely on you for all stimulation, exercise and companionship.
• Keep them occupied with climbing towers or activity centres. • Regularly rotate toys and offer puzzle feeders.
• Fully secure your garden or balcony and keep windows and doors shut to prevent escape. • We recommend all cats – indoors or outdoors – are neutered, microchipped, vaccinated and given flea and worming treatment. If you’d like to rehome a cat, please visit themayhew.org/rehome or phone 020 8962 8000.
A tribute to Cassie
O
ur receptionist Sue has been welcoming visitors to Mayhew for over eight years, and for much of that time her beloved dog Cassie has been by her side, keeping an eye on all the comings and goings. Sadly, Cassie passed away at the end of last year. Here, Sue pays tribute to her faithful friend.
In September 2012, one of our Animal Welfare Officers asked if I could foster a dog. Although I had just lost my dog to cancer and was grief-stricken, I saw an animal in need and of course I had to say yes.
So, eight-year-old Cassie came into my care. She had epilepsy, but having fostered epileptic dogs before, I knew how to deal with her fits. I didn’t expect to become so attached so quickly. You see, I’d always liked medium to large black dogs with calm and laid-back temperaments, and here was a small, white Staffordshire bull terrier crossed with a Jack Russell – calm was unlikely to be one of her key character traits! Cassie was in Mayhew’s care under our Pet Refuge programme [where we look after the pets of people in crisis for a short period of time] and, as the end of her stay approached, her owner made the hard decision that they could not look after her long-term, so they signed her over to Mayhew. I was then able to adopt her, and I jumped at the chance!
Cassie soon became a firm favourite at Mayhew and was great with other dogs, lending a helpful paw by walking alongside very nervous pups, who appreciated having a calm friend to reassure them. She was also a part-time model, featuring on Mayhew leaflets and promotions, and she enjoyed meeting many of our famous supporters, such as Ricky Gervais and Neil Morrissey. Her biggest claim to fame was when she was admired over the reception desk by our Patron, The Duchess of Sussex, during a visit to Mayhew.
The years sped past, with both Cassie and I getting older, but she still enjoyed zooming around the park chasing squirrels. Then, one day in 2018, she struggled to stand, and the vet diagnosed an inflamed spinal disc. She was prescribed very restricted walks and anti-inflammatories and she steadily improved. Another year passed and I noticed she was slowing down much more. She celebrated her 15th birthday with a picnic in the park, but I was having to limit her exercise to stop her tiring too much.
At the beginning of November last year, her mobility was deteriorating rapidly, and I had to start thinking about how long it would be before I had to make the necessary but painful decision to let her go. She did not appear to be in any pain, and I was determined that she never would be.
When it was time, she had one last weekend of spoiling, with visits to her favourite parks in a borrowed dog buggy. The sun shone and she relished her doggy picnic of sausages. A few days later, the vet came to our house and Cassie slipped away peacefully in my arms. The years with Cassie will stay forever in my memory; we packed a lot in with so much love, companionship and happy times. Cassie, I will never forget you. Cassie, 17 August 2004 – 11 November 2019
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Happily
SUMMER 2020
W
e are delighted when an animal in our care finds their purrfect family. Some have been with us for just a few weeks, while others have waited for months for the right match. Here are a few of the cats and dogs who were lucky enough to find their forever homes in the first few months of 2020.
Dexter
Trevor
Ollie (Salem)
Millie (Minnie)
“To say that Lizzie has
established herself is an understatement. She likes silk cushions, the best seat and the bottom of the bed!.”
Harris (Sean)
Margaret
“Rigatoni is a ridiculously “We are enjoying Monty and Otis very much and feel very lucky that they came to live with us before the lockdown. They are very good buddies and still sleep together (when they are not wrestling or shinning up the curtains)!”
happy little dude and I’m a very happy cat mum! I love him so much.” Eve
Maria and family
A few of these gorgeous furry friends were renamed by their new families. You’ll find their former names in brackets.
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Luna
Khan
Stocky
rehomed “Freckles is funny, talkative
Lulu
and very attention-seeking! He loves cuddles, and I’ve certainly enjoyed them too. He’s a comfort and a joy.”
Handsome Sam
Iggy
Rebecca
Boris
“We love Mabel so much – she really brings us so much joy and our home feels complete!”
Freddie, Bella and Scamp (Felix, Bella and Ro cky)
Siobhan
“I can’t imagine life without
Socks now. He really was the cat meant for us.” Jackie
Harry (Stanley)
Darius
“Adopting Sinead was the best thing we’ve ever done and we are so happy to have her during lockdown – she’s been a constant source of fun and amusement for us.” Lauren and family
“Thank you so much for
allowing us to take Tyson. He is so loved – we really don’t know what we did with our lives before him.” Bithi and family
Are you looking for your pawfect pal? To find out about Mayhew residents currently waiting for a forever home, please visit themayhew.org/rehome or call 020 8962 8000. I 17
SUMMER 2020
549
DOGS NEUTERED IN KABUL BETWEEN THE END OF MARCH AND END OF MAY THIS YEAR
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Staying safe overseas
he coronavirus pandemic is truly a global issue and it has sadly had an effect on our work around the world as well as in the UK. We hear from our teams in Afghanistan and Georgia to find out how they have been adapting and coping during these difficult times.
Afghanistan
Mayhew Afghanistan held high hopes for 2020. We began the third year of our mass rabies vaccination project and were on track to neuter 10,000 dogs by the end of the first year of our Trap, Vaccinate, Neuter, Return (TVNR) programme. Unfortunately, no one could have predicted what was to come, but our teams have been working hard to adjust. We spoke to Dr Sulaiman Safi, Project Team Leader and Vet Vaccinator, and Dr Jawid Mohammadi, Surveyor, to find out how the team has been getting on.
What is the impact of the coronavirus on your work in Kabul?
Dr Sulaiman: Although the restrictions put in place during the pandemic have affected most day-to-day work in Kabul, we are able to continue working because 18 I
our programmes have been deemed an essential service for public health by Kabul Municipality and the Ministry of Agriculture. We’re following the guidelines set out by the Ministry of Public Health and so our teams are working in split shifts and also abiding by social distancing rules. During this time we have also managed to begin our annual sight dog population survey and neuter 549 dogs (end of March to the end of May). Plus, a few members of our team have been taking online courses with the Global Alliance for Rabies Control to further their skills! Dr Jawid: With most of the locals staying inside, we’ve noticed that the dogs are coming out onto the roads and streets more. Before, a lot of them used to hide away under containers, damaged cars and bridges. This has made things easier for our team members when they are out catching and surveying the dogs.
Have you noticed a change in attitudes towards stray dogs?
Dr Jawid: Though the majority of the community has been very kind towards the stray dogs during this time, we have experienced a few cases where the locals have been worried about dogs transmitting the disease to humans. We were recently called out to help two dogs that had a severe skin disease and the locals were very frightened, mistakenly believing that the dogs were infected with the coronavirus. Dr Sulaiman: Usually the dogs survive off scraps and waste from the local restaurants, but with these closed the food supply for the dogs has been limited. This has caused the locals to feel more compassion towards the stray dogs and we’ve noticed a lot of people feeding them regularly.
international
Skilling up local Georgian vets
Vet training is a vital part of our work, and before the lockdown Dr Ana was providing training for two local vets in Tbilisi, Sergo and Tato, and vet student Sandro, who work or volunteer for our new partner clinics, Vet Life and VetEx. We are looking forward to resuming this important aspect of our work overseas as the lockdown eases.
Join us and help animals overseas Friends of Mayhew International ensure we can continue our vital work with governments, local communities and charitable groups to help improve animal welfare abroad. You can become an official Friend of Mayhew International for £20 a year. Visit themayhew.org/donate/ friend-of-Mayhew to join us and receive your special membership pack.
Thank you to The Brigitte Bardot Foundation, who funded a brand-new vehicle for our team in Kabul, enabling them to transport even more dogs to our ABC Centre for neutering!
Georgia
At the start of 2020, Mayhew Georgia was making great progress, with four partner vet clinics on board and preparations well underway to trial a spay and neuter project in Anaklia, a town on the Black Sea coast. Unfortunately, this work was put on pause in March as Georgia went into lockdown.
We caught up with Dr Ana Metskhvarishvili, Veterinary Surgeon for Mayhew Georgia, to find out how the teams there have been doing.
How has your work changed since lockdown began?
When the lockdown started, our lives changed drastically. We needed to begin working under the rule of only having three people on-site, which means that everything apart from emergency care has had to be postponed. Surgeries are impossible to perform, so we had to suspend the neutering programme. Now [early May], restrictions are slowly lifting and in Tbilisi we are trialling restarting our clinics for TVNR, with social distancing being strictly observed, of course.
Have you noticed any change in attitudes towards stray animals?
It’s been very heartwarming to see that local people have been working together to take turns feeding the stray dogs in their areas,
BETWEEN JANUARY AND THE END OF MARCH THIS YEAR, OUR TEAM IN GEORGIA NEUTERED
190 160
DOGS AND VACCINATED
DOGS AGAINST RABIES and I have also heard of people walking long distances with 10kg of food, just so they can ensure the stray animals are well fed.
What would Tbilisi be like without Mayhew Georgia’s support?
I believe that the government would eventually come to an agreement that Georgia needs animal population management; however, I worry about what methods they would use to achieve this. Mayhew Georgia is currently demonstrating a humane and effective way of managing the population and I hope in the future that our work can expand further across the country. Keep up to date with our work overseas by following Mayhew International on Facebook.
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SUMMER 2020
Reducing the ‘carbon paw print’ of your pet
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ur four-legged friends’ plastic trail may not always be high on the agenda – with pet healthcare, exercise, socialisation and training, we often have enough to think about. But, as we continue to tackle climate change across the globe, many of us are becoming more environmentally conscious about our purchases – including those for our pets.
Eco-friendly mealtimes
Whether your pet is on a dry, wet or raw food diet, there are ways to reduce food packaging waste. Most food packets will hang around in the environment for many years to come, long after pets have enjoyed their meal. If it isn’t recycled, packaging can end up in landfill, littering woodland or even floating in the ocean, all of which poses a real threat to wildlife. However, several pet food producers now use eco-friendly, compostable, recyclable or plastic-free packaging. A simple step to reduce packaging waste is to recycle it, and just like products intended for human use or consumption, pet food packaging should be clearly labelled with recycling instructions. Another eco-friendly idea is to buy bigger. If you can, try to bulk-buy your pet food, which will not only reduce the amount of packaging used, but also the number of trips you make to the shops: less fuel = better for the environment!
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Make your own: pet treats
We all like to reward (or spoil!) our pets with a few treats between meals, but these frequently come in plastic pouches. With so many recipes now online, there has never been a better time to try your hand at making homemade pet treats – and you don’t need to be a pro in the kitchen either. Your pet will love tasty nibbles made by you and they can be a lot of fun to create. Store them in reusable containers to keep them fresh (and out of reach!).
Scoop that poop!
Although it’s not the most exciting part of owning a pet, we do need to clean up after our beloved furry friends. If you have a dog, no matter where they choose to go to the toilet, their poop has to be picked up. Dog waste can carry disease and pollute waterways, which in turn can be toxic to wildlife and the local ecosystem. There are plenty of eco-
friendly, biodegradable dog poo bags available to buy, and these usually come in recyclable paper packaging too. Cat litter commonly contains silica clay, which is often derived from environmentally destructive strip mining, and some also contains perfumes and other unnatural ingredients. However, there are biodegradable and natural cat litters available, such as Natusan, which will help make your kitty’s toilet routine a little more ‘green’. At Mayhew, our Kennels and Cattery teams use biodegradable Envirobags to scoop up after our residents, and our Cattery team uses Breeder Celect biodegradable paper-based cat litter made from over 99% recycled paper. If you want to find out more about a product, you can normally check their eco credentials online, or get essential information from labels and packaging.
Plastic-free play
When we buy toys for our pets, we always want to give them the best of the best. Luckily, it is now easier than ever to find toys that are eco-friendly, fun and non-toxic. Try to source toys labelled ‘BPA free’ or ‘phthalate free’. BPAs and phthalates are chemicals that are used to make polycarbonate plastics which are soft and flexible. Some toys will be labelled ‘non-toxic,’ which means that the product is not harmful to human health or to the environment. Keep an eye out for toys made from hemp, wool, canvas or even natural rubber. These are natural materials and they are eco-friendly.
Make your own: pet toys
Did you know that you can make awesome pet toys from old, animalfriendly materials found in your home? Have a look around at things you may be getting rid of, such as old clothes, empty
egg cartons and kitchen roll tubes, as these can all be used to create pet toys. Recycle an old T-shirt and turn it into a snuffle rug for your dog, or make an activity toy for your cat! There are plenty of online tutorials for making pet toys at home. Taking on board even one or two of these tips will help to reduce your pet’s carbon paw print and lessen your impact on the environment. Don’t forget to reuse and recycle wherever possible, and have fun making treats and toys for your pet!
Get crafty!
Head to themayhew.org for stepby-step instructions for making an upcycled toy for your four-legged pal. You can try your hand at making a dog rope toy or get creative and put together a bespoke cat activity board. Have fun!
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SUMMER 2020
A pawfectly delicious partnership In March, we were delighted to announce that we have teamed up with award-winning natural pet food company Burns Pet Nutrition, who became Mayhew’s official food supplier for 2020. Burns is a family firm specialising in highquality dog food made from all-natural ingredients, and they are now the sole supplier of dog food for our kennels, providing delicious daily nutrition to fuel all the dogs in our care.
Burns is passionate about helping animals in need and giving them the best start in life with healthy food. They donate food to over 60 long-term beneficiaries across the UK and were keen to partner with us, believing we share the same values and ethics.As their founder, Veterinary Surgeon John Burns, explained: “At Burns, we want to use our success to improve the lives of people and pets across the UK. Mayhew runs a number of incredible initiatives to create compassionate communities for people and pets, and we’re very proud to support the amazing work they do to help rescue animals, owners and vulnerable members of our society.”
We will also benefit from Burns’ ongoing support and nutritional guidance. Earlier this year, their top nutritionists visited our Home to share their expertise with our Kennels team. They provided invaluable insights and offered advice on everything from managing common canine pet complaints through nutrition to tailoring diets for different life stages and dietary requirements.
as feeding dogs with intolerances, and guidance on what foods should not be fed to dogs. Our adopters can continue to benefit from Burns’ tips and expert advice down the line by contacting them on their nutritional helpline to discuss feeding concerns, such as how to encourage a reluctant feeder or the amount to feed once a dog reaches senior age.
An extra-special adoption pack!
Burns are now providing food for special ‘adoption starter packs’, which we will be giving out to adopters when they rehome a dog from Mayhew. These packs are a real bonus, ensuring that dogs continue to have a consistent diet as they settle into their new homes. The packs also include feeding advice from Burns on topics such
“We are really pleased to
send our dogs off to their new homes with a bag of good quality food. This can help to avoid upset tummies which can be caused by a sudden change in diet moving from shelter to a forever home.” Lisa Guiney, Dog Adoption Officer 22 I
become a pet nutritionist in the UK. There are, however, a lot of fantastic animal-based courses at colleges and universities, and having a qualification in related areas – for example, animal care, nutrition, behaviour or veterinary sciences – can be beneficial.
What does the job involve?
Most of my time is spent answering questions on Burns’ nutrition helpline. This is a free helpline to advise owners on diet-related concerns. I’m also responsible for giving talks to pet shops and charities, training staff and attending shows like Crufts to share nutritional advice with attendees.
Q&A with Burns’
Nutrition Manager, Laura CrotchHarvey How do you become a pet nutritionist?
I have a Masters degree in Animal Science, but there is no set qualification or route to
As Nutrition Manager, a key part of my role is to work with our production teams to ensure the high quality of Burns’ food. I’m also involved in new product development, whether that’s creating a new sensitive diet range or a delicious treat – a part of the job my own dog particularly enjoys!
with pancreatitis. We’re lucky as continued training is a priority at Burns, so we get to attend courses and veterinary conferences around the world, enabling us to keep up to date with the latest pet nutrition research and developments.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to become a pet nutritionist?
There are different areas of pet nutrition, from customer-centred positions to technical roles formulating pet foods. Each role varies, so think about what you are interested in. However, good people skills are a must, and getting experience in the industry – for example, working with pet shops or volunteering with a local rescue – is a great place start.
What’s a typical workday like?
We deal with a variety of customer queries on the phones, live chat and email. Today, I have spoken to a lady with a poodle cross who stole cake from her kitchen, a Yorkie with digestive issues and a bichon frise
For advice on pet nutrition, contact the Burns helpline 0800 083 6696, or email info@burnspet.co.uk.
Joshua Rusnak BVSc CertSAS MRCVS is proud to support Mayhew
Mill Lane Vet
Aylmer Parade Vet
tel: 020 7794 1777 www.mill-lane-vet.com
tel: 020 3935 8811 www.aylmerparadevet.com
68-70 Mill Lane London NW6 1NJ
17 Aylmer Parade London N2 0PH
Thank you from all of us at Mayhew
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We really appreciate the kindness and support we have received during these difficult times and we hope that you and your friends, family and much-loved pets are staying safe and well.
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