Issue 5 I Spring 2019 I www.themayhew.org
In this issue... Puppy love
HRH The Duchess of Sussex – our new Patron Join us in 2019!
SPRING 2019
Front cover photo of Pudding. Read his story on page 18. Photograph 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.
for dogs, cats and communities Editor: Shelley Warnaby shelley@mayhewanimalhome.org Design: arc, www.arc-cs.com
Many thanks to our contributors and photographers: Jill Eckersley, Jess Feehan, Jack Goss, Sarah Hastelow, Graham Hilling, Tamara Yoxall, Alissa Johnson, Rowan Williams, Adam Vallance, Georgie Wishart and Natassja Yoxall. Printed on 100% recycled paper. Please pass on to a friend and recycle after reading.
Contact us
@
info@mayhewanimalhome.org 0208 962 8000
Mayhew, Trenmar Gardens, Kensal Green, London, NW10 6BJ www.themayhew.org Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter @themayhew Registered charity number: 1077588 VAT number: 820 4030 87
Company limited by guarantee number: 3837732 2 I
A glorious start to the year!
2019 began with the wonderful news that Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex has become our Patron. We are honoured that she has chosen to support Mayhew and were delighted to welcome her to our Home on her first official visit. See pages 10 and 11 for our photo highlights from the day.
If you have a soft spot for puppies, on page 18 there’s the story of the Jack Russell terrier pups who were rescued before Christmas by our Animal Welfare Officers, along with some top tips for pawfect puppy playtime. Our regular ‘Ask the expert’ feature, meanwhile, explores ways to keep your cat at their furry best, with nutritional advice and ideas for how to help picky eaters. Mayhew couldn’t exist without our supporters, and on page 14 Jill tells us about her experience of volunteering for us over many years.
This year promises to be an exciting one for Mayhew and we are so glad to have you on this journey with us. We have lots of events planned in 2019 and you’ll find more details as you read through the magazine. Please save the dates in your diary and we look forward to seeing you soon! Happy reading!
Contents 04
22
News from Mayhew International
Mayhew news
06
A look back at 2018
10
Mayhew welcomes The Duchess of Sussex
12
08
26
Guest chat: Megan Rix
Ask the expert: feeding your cat
13
28
Challenge events 2019
In memory of Nora
Quiz time!
09
14
29
Pet Refuge
In their shoes
Support us in 2019
16
Cats and dogs looking for a home
18
Puppy love
30
Your letters
I 3
News
SPRING 2019
Help stop the online pet trade
M
ore than ever, pet owners are trying to sell or rehome their animals online. We understand why people may choose to do this, but rehoming without an expert comes with many risks. Our Rehome from Home scheme is the answer, and we are now looking for volunteers to monitor online adverts and get in touch with the pet owner to offer Mayhew’s help. This is a home-based position and is a flexible role. Visit themayhew.org/volunteering to apply.
Thinking caps on for Mayhew’s Quiz Night
Come along to our very first quiz night on Thursday 4 April from 7pm at The Whippet Inn in Kensal Rise. We’re looking forward to a fun-filled evening, including some dog- and cat-themed rounds, a prize for the winning team and lots of goodies up for grabs in our raffle. Check out themayhew.org/ events for more details.
4 I
Mayhew Open Day – save the date! Join us at our annual street party on Sunday 8 September from 11am to 4pm.
The open day will be later this year as we have building work planned at the Home in spring. As well as the usual stalls, BBQ, live music and fun activities, you’ll be able to take a look around the Home and have the chance to say hello to some of our cats and dogs looking for new homes.
Maggie, home at last
We were delighted when shy little Maggie found her forever home at the end of last year after more than 37 weeks in our care. This sweet girl now has a pawfect life with her devoted owner, who she loves to snuggle up to on the sofa.
Crisis at Christmas: working together to help animals and people
Mayhew’s Carols at Christmas
O
ur Christmas carol event in December was a great success, raising over £4,500! More than 80 supporters joined us at the stunning St Gilesin-the-Fields church in London, singing along with the fantastic church choir to Christmas classics and enjoying a mince pie (or two). There were readings from special guests and a surprise treat from Mayhew’s The Cat Pack, who performed their meowgical rendition of Santa Paws is Coming to Town.
C
hristmas can be a very difficult time for homeless people and their dogs, and we were proud to work with Crisis again this year. In December, we launched a joint Christmas gift campaign, raising over £30,000. Proceeds were split equally between us and Crisis, helping us both fund much-needed items and services. Over Christmas we also worked on the ground, caring for dogs by providing temporary kennels with bedding and blankets, health checks and lots of cuddles, while their owners received support from Crisis.
To keep up with the latest news from Mayhew, visit themayhew.org/about/ news or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I 5
WINTER 2019 SPRING 2018
January
Mayhew Afghanistan came to the rescue of Graf, a retired US Special Forces mine detection dog who had a tumour on his right hind leg. Thanks to our Afghanistan vets, Dr Mo and Dr Hadi, Graf has made a full recovery and is now enjoying his retirement with his adopted family in Afghanistan.
February
Tiny was discovered late at night in a local park by a member of the public. Shivering and dehydrated, he was brought into our care and received immediate medical attention from our Vet team. Once vaccinated and neutered, Tiny was ready for adoption – and he really landed on his paws, finding his happily-ever-after home with our Community Vet Clinic receptionist.
March
Mayhew International and the team at Helping Organisation for People, Environment (HOPE) and Animal Trust achieved the incredible milestone of neutering 70,000 dogs in Ranchi, India, and through our education programme we reached over 111,097 adults and children.
We had a fantastic year in 2018 and, thanks to your support, have been able to continue our work helping dogs, cats and people, both in the UK and overseas.
Here’s a quick-round up of some of the key moments, events and rescue stories of 2018.
July
Nine-week-old Chihuahua cross George Michael was found scared and alone on the London Underground during the summer heatwave and brought into Mayhew. Once up for adoption, he quickly found his perfect match – he was one of 98 dogs we rehomed in 2018.
6 I
August
Emaciated and severely dehydrated, kittens Mr Gold and Copper were rescued from a derelict garden by our Animal Welfare Officers. Both kittens were lucky to have been found alive, and were given round-theclock care and nursed back to health. Soon after being put up for adoption, they started their new life together with a loving family.
September
A
Dr Mo - Mayhew Afghanistan’s Country Director - won the 2018 Animal Hero Awards’ Special Recognition award. His innovative work includes signing a landmark agreement with Kabul Municipality to stop the culling of dogs and launching a mass rabies vaccination programme. Dr Mo truly is an animal hero!
April
When stray cat Gomez was rushed in to our Home he was extremely distressed and urgently needed surgery to remove a severely damaged ear. After lengthy, complex surgery by our Vet team and a slow recovery, he was ready to be matched with a loving new family. Gomez was just one of 380 cats rehomed by our Adoption team in 2018.
MaY
Our Vet team provided training for 24 vets and vet students in 2018, including 6 from overseas. They took their new skills back to their home countries to further improve animal welfare standards there, meaning happier and healthier cats and dogs across the globe.
June
We saw the distressing case of Brian, a severely matted dog who was found dumped by a busy road in the middle of the night, narrowly avoiding being hit by a car. With the love and care of our Kennels team, he soon had a smile on his face, and by the end of the summer had found his forever home.
LOOK BACK AT 2018 October
We raised over ÂŁ50,000 at our events this year and had so much fun along the way. A particular highlight was The Great Rescue Ramble on Hampstead Heath in October, where 200 supporters joined us for the day, taking part in either a 3k or a 5k walk to raise money for dogs, cats and communities.
November
Our TheraPaws dogs and volunteers completed over 700 visits in 2018, supporting vulnerable people in hospitals, care homes, hospices and day centres across London by dishing out doggy cuddles and companionship. They also visited hard-working staff at BuzzFeed UK for Stress Awareness Day and Channel 4 for World Kindness Day.
December
Over the year, our Animal Welfare Officers helped 786 animals avoid
coming into the shelter environment
and supported 1,060 welfare cases. We continued to provide aid for homeless people and their dogs, and in December created a series of powerful digital films demonstrating their special bonds and why the work we do to keep them together is so important.
I 7
SPRING 2019
READY STEADY GO!
If you’re looking for a sporting challenge this year, participate in one of these great events taking place up and down the country – by running for Mayhew, you’ll help our homeless cats and dogs at the same time!
Simplyhealth Great North Run
Simplyhealth Great South Run
Join almost 60,000 other runners and secure your place in the world’s biggest half marathon. The race starts in Newcastle upon Tyne and finishes on the coast in South Shields and is topped off by a display from the Red Arrows!
Experience the south coast’s best 10-mile event. If you’re looking for a ‘personal best’, this flat and fast course is the perfect choice for your greatest victory.
When: 8 September 2019 Where: Newcastle upon Tyne Registration fee: £30 Fundraising minimum: £300
Virgin Sport Hackney Half Marathon
When: 19 May 2019 Where: London Registration fee: £25 Fundraising minimum: £300
Pass by the famous Town Hall, head through historic Broadway Market and then take in Hackney Wick, which is flush with vibrant street art. Explore green spaces and cross over 12 canals and rivers, with panoramic views of the Olympic Park.
When: 20 October 2019 Where: Southsea, Portsmouth Registration fee: £25 Fundraising minimum: £200
Royal Parks Half Marathon
When: 13 October 2019 Where: London Registration fee: £30 Fundraising minimum: £300
This stunning central London half marathon takes in some of the capital’s world-famous landmarks on closed roads, and four of London’s eight Royal Parks – Hyde Park, Green Park, St James’s Park and Kensington Gardens.
To find out more, contact our Events team on events@mayhewanimalhome.org or call 020 8206 5872.
‘I loved training for the event and I will definitely run again next year. It will be a privilege to run again for Mayhew.’ Elizabeth Cook, Royal Parks Half Marathon 2018
Visit runforcharity.com and search for Mayhew Animal Home to find other challenge events you can take part in to raise funds for us! For a free fundraising pack, email events@mayhewanimalhome.org.
8 I
Pet Refuge keeping pets and their loving owners together
If you needed to go into hospital suddenly and didn’t have money to pay for boarding, or close family to care for your pet, what would you do? As part of Mayhew’s work to support animals and people in our community, we run a Pet Refuge programme to care for muchloved pets of owners who are at a crisis point in their life and have no one to ask for help. We look after their dog or cat for short periods of time so that they can get better while knowing their pet is being cared for in a safe environment.
Jose and Bob’s story
Last year, gorgeous terrier Bob’s vulnerable owner Jose required hospital treatment for an infected wound in his leg. He was suffering from localised sepsis, but was refusing to accept help as it would have meant having to abandon Bob – he didn’t know anyone who could pet sit, and without the ability to afford kennels, he didn’t want to leave Bob all alone.
Bob is my best friend. He gives me someone to talk to and he’s stuck with me through everything. He stays by my side day and night and having him is the best thing in the world.
“
Keeping companions together
When Jose was fully recovered, we were able to reunite the two best friends. It was a very happy reunion, and we were proud to have helped keep them together. For many pet owners facing a personal crisis, our service is a lifeline. Their dog or cat is their best friend and many people like Jose will not seek help as they are concerned about what will happen to their pet. With Pet Refuge, their pet is looked after so they can focus on getting themselves back on track.
WE NEED YOUR HELP.
Every day, animals like Bob are at risk of being needlessly given up to a shelter. Thanks to donors like you, we were able to help Bob and, thankfully, his stay at Mayhew was short. With your support, we can help more dogs and cats in our community, ensuring they can stay happily and healthily with their loving owners.
“
I knew Bob was safe at Mayhew and that made me feel better too. I know Bob can stay with me for life now and I won’t have to give him up.
“
“
Luckily, Jose’s social worker heard about our Pet Refuge programme and got in touch with our Animal Welfare Officers to see if they could help, which they were happy to do. While Jose received treatment for his leg, we arranged for Bob to come to our Community Vet Clinic, where he was neutered, had dental work and received a full health check with vaccinations and flea and worm treatment. Bob was then passed into the care of our Kennels team, who looked after him for the duration of his stay.
Please fill in the donation form included with this magazine and return it in the envelope provided. Alternatively, you can donate by calling 020 8206 5870. I 9
SPRING 2019
Mayhew welcomes
The Duchess of Sussex Caroline Yates greets The Duchess as she arrives at the Home.
A chance to stroke beautiful TheraPaws dog Roobarb and meet owner Claire, as well as two residents of Lawnfield Care Home, where Claire and Roobarb visit.
The Duchess meets Wully Struthers and his two dogs, Azzy and Gallis, who we looked after as part of our Pet Refuge programme while Wully accessed rehab.
Hearing about some of the cats and kittens we’ve rescued.
The Duchess gets to know one of our happily rehomed puppies – Jack Russell terrier Maggie, previously known as Truffle. Maggie’s new owner had recently adopted Maggie from Mayhew. You can read Maggie’s story on page 18.
Learning more about our overseas work and the Community Vet Clinic with Dr Mo and Head Vet Nurse Gillian Rich.
10 I
Introducing The Duchess to Wully and his dogs was a really special moment. I’m so proud of our Pet Refuge scheme and delighted that The Duchess is such a passionate supporter of our outreach work.
“ In January, we were delighted to welcome our new Patron, HRH The Duchess of Sussex, on her first official visit to the Home. Our CEO, Caroline Yates, showed The Duchess around and introduced her to some of our staff and volunteers, as well as members of the community we’ve helped. Of course, we made sure there was also the opportunity to say hello to some of our animals!
“
Zoe Edwards, Head of Animal Welfare
Chatting with Peggy, one of the residents of Lawnfield Care Home.
Sweet little Jack Russell pup Minnie catches The Duchess’s eye... and there is just time for a quick cuddle before The Duchess has to leave.
It was a real “honour to show
HRH around. She clearly loves animals and was so interested to meet our volunteers and recipients of our community outreach programmes.
“
Saying hello to Foxy, one of the animals in our care who had just found her forever home!
CEO Caroline Yates
I 11
SPRING 2019
Guest chat: Megan Rix
A
uthor Ruth Symes has had 12 children’s books published under the name Megan Rix. These hugely popular animal adventure stories are set both in the modern day and during key periods of history, including the First and Second World Wars. Ruth is passionate about animals and talked to us about how they inspire her writing, as well as what her own animals mean to her.
Florence and the Mischievous Kitten by Megan Rix is out now. Find out more at: bit.ly/MeganRix. 12 I
Why did you decide to make animals the heroes of your stories?
Pretty much every day I’m amazed by what different animals can do, the friends they make and how they help people and other animals.
I was overjoyed when The Paw House was commissioned because it’s about an animal sanctuary – I loved writing about lots of different dogs, and how clever chickens are, and giving the pigs and sheep and calves so much personality.
Do you have a favourite book?
Of all my books, I really love Echo Come Home. Echo, a border terrier, is a funny, loveable little dog, and he is trained to become a hearing dog for a boy called Jack. I wear hearing aids myself and have friends with hearing dogs, so I see first-hand the amazing difference they make.
Did anything you found out surprise you while researching the role of animals throughout history? Definitely. When I was doing research for The Great Fire Dogs (set during the Great Fire of London in 1666), I found out that there used to be kitchen dogs who’d spend hours in a kind of giant hamster wheel that was attached to a huge joint of meat on a spit. Their job was to walk round and round to ensure the meat was evenly cooked – horrible!
Can you tell us a little about your own pets?
My pets mean everything to me and my days revolve around them. Traffy, Bella and Freya are all golden retrievers, and we live next to a river so a walk with a swim happens just about every day. On a typical day, once the dogs have dried off and are having a snooze, I’ll do some writing before it’s the dogs’ lunchtime – followed by another walk and some more snoozing for them, and some more writing for me.
Traffy and Freya are both therapy dogs [similar to Mayhew’s TheraPaws programme] and Traffy loves going into schools with me and listening to children read, but unfortunately, as I am so busy with writing and book tours, there’s not much time for us to do that now.
Do your dogs go on book tours with you?
They come on tour with me and make the visits to schools and festivals much more fun for everyone who meets them. It’s always particularly touching for me when we meet a child who has previously been scared of dogs but is brave enough to stroke one of mine. When they realise what big softies they are, the child’s face will break into a smile – and that’s when Freya will lie down with her legs waggling in the air for a tummy rub!
In memory of
Nora
Actors Sue Jameson and James Bolam adopted retriever Nora from Mayhew in 2015, sharing many happy times before she passed away last year. Here, Sue pays tribute to their lovely, loyal Nora. On the 9th of September 2015, Jim and I drove up to the Mayhew to collect two old dogs. One was a tiny Yorkie who’d been dumped nearby – and the other was Nora, a gorgeous elderly retriever whose owner had died. After all the official business, and all the hugs and thank yous were done, we put them in the car and set off home. Teddy the Yorkie was restless for the journey, but Nora curled up on her dog bed and went straight to sleep. She loved the car and was obviously used to heading out for walks in one. Every single time we passed our car in the drive she would stop by it and look hopeful! She settled well, although we felt she sometimes looked at visitors as if she was checking for her old owner. But she was very easy to look after, eating well and sleeping most of the time – almost always in the kitchen doorway so we had to clamber over her! She soon discovered the fields and woods behind our house and loved to wander in the long grasses. She ate anything and everything we offered her, and occasionally things we’d offered her furry housemates too. The cats were not always amused!
We had nearly three and a half years with her loyal and gentle company, and it was only when, at 14 and a half, her old legs could no longer hold her up and painful arthritis had really set in that we knew it was time to let her go. It was very peaceful – our nice vet gave us a mild sedative for her. Nora was in the doorway as usual, all of us around her, and full of chicken slices and cookies as she left us. Thank you, Mayhew, for a loving and gentle friend. It was a privilege to have her with us.
If you could offer an elderly cat or dog a home and give them the chance to happily live out their twilight years, visit the adoption pages on our website: themayhew.org/adopt. I 13
In their
SPRING WINTER 2019 2018
O
ur volunteers are essential to everything we do at Mayhew, dedicating their valuable time to helping animals in need and supporting our work in a variety of ways. For this issue of ‘In their shoes’, we hear from Mayhew volunteer Jill Eckersley, who has been lending us a hand for almost 20 years.
14 I
shoes A variety of volunteering opportunities
I first started volunteering for Mayhew in 1999, when I answered an advert in a magazine looking for volunteers. Over the years I have helped out whenever I can, mostly at events and occasionally in the cattery. I love being with the Mayhew cats and dogs and have a Mayhew cat myself, Mo, who has been with me for seven happy years. Whenever I visit, I always want to take at least half a dozen more cats home with me (like many of us, I suspect!).
You only have to attend a Mayhew event or see evidence of Mayhew’s outreach work – for example, the way the Animal Welfare Officers help homeless people and their dogs – to understand how important the bond between people and their animals can be. I live in Camden and I often stop to chat with homeless men and women on the street – and I always stop if they have a dog with them, as so many of them do. I am usually told that their dog is their best friend, and sometimes that dog is one of the reasons they are on the street. Many hostels and emergency shelters won’t take dogs, which is really sad.
Helping at Mayhew fundraising events really suits me as I work from home and can be quite flexible. I love the variety and have helped at so many different things, including the Christmas Fair, manning a stall at Pup Aid on Hampstead Heath and rattling a collection tin while carol singing at Liverpool Street station.
Taking the time to talk…
I was so pleased to see the Mayhew rebranding ‘For dogs, cats and communities’, because being a Mayhew volunteer is as much about people as it is about animals. I don’t think we can, or should, make any distinction between helping animals and helping people.
Mostly, I find they just want to talk. They will tell you about their own dog or cat, and the one they had before that one, and the one they had as a child, and they will bring out photos, on their phones or from their wallets. They will ask for advice on dog or cat care, and I always make sure I have a Mayhew
The bond between people and their animals
Events are about fundraising and promoting Mayhew so that Londoners (and others) know we’re here and what we do. But that’s not all. When someone approaches the Mayhew stall at an event, I can never predict how the conversation will go. Is this person interested in adopting? Do they want to volunteer like I do? Do they want to buy a Mayhew mug, scarf or bag?
Join us in
2019!
Here are just a few of the fantastic events we have planned for this year. Some events are still to be confirmed as we go to press, so keep an eye on our website for more details.
CATTERY EASTER PARTY Sunday 14 April, 1pm to 4pm
Spring has spurrrung! Drop by for an eggcellent opportunity to get up close and personal with our cats this Easter. leaflet ready to hand out as these are full of useful information for pet owners.
HOUNDS ON THE HEATH Sunday 14 July, 11am to 4pm
…and listen
As a volunteer, you really need to listen. And smile. And admire the dog or cat photos if you are shown them! Volunteering at events is a full-on experience: you need to get there early to set up and help pack away at the end of the day. You can’t look bored or tired, and you need to be a ‘people person’ as well as a dog- or cat-lover. Sometimes there’s a sad tale of a recently departed animal friend, or one who was lost long ago. Sometimes mysteries happen, like the time I was at the entrance to Mayhew one open day and a man drove up, jumped out of his car, handed me a cheque made out to Mayhew and drove off! What that was about, of course, I never knew.
Hounds on the Heath returns to Hampstead Heath this summer. Paws at the ready for a fun-packed day!
MAYHEW OPEN DAY
Sunday 8 September, 11am to 4pm
Care for animals is what brings us together and inspires me to volunteer, but being a volunteer is very much about people, too.
If you are interested in volunteering for Mayhew, visit themayhew.org/volunteering or contact our Volunteer Coordinator Linnea Brunzell on 020 8962 8003.
Mayhew Open Day is moving to September this year. Join us as we open our doors for our annual street party and enjoy a unique look behind the scenes at our Home. I 15
LOOKING FOR A SPRING 2019
Here are just a few of the lovely cats and dogs patiently waiting at Mayhew for their forever home. Could
SIMBA
Male, 10 years 3 months
Likes: Simba loves being around people; his favourite thing is cuddling up on someone’s lap.
Essentials: If you are home for most of the day, Simba is the dog for you. He prefers human company, so would be happiest living in an adult home in a semirural environment where he can roam without meeting too many other dogs.
Female, 8 years 8 months
Likes: Fluffy Rosie is a sweet-natured and friendly little girl who adores a cuddle.
ROSIE
Essentials: Rosie enjoys company and needs a home where there is somebody around during the day. She can be a little vocal and needs an experienced owner who can give her the attention and affection she needs. .
CESAR
Male, 5 years 3 months
Likes: Little Cesar is a real character and a bright spark who loves to play with a ball and nibble on a few chicken treats.
Essentials: Cesar is a feisty lad who can be a little nervous at times, so he needs an experienced and understanding owner in an all-adult home.
16 I
HOME
you be their pawfect pal?
Pull out
this pag e in your and display place o f work or scho ol wher e lots o people f c help us an see it and find a h our anim ome for als!
RIZ
AUBURN
Female, 6 years 5 months
Male, 8 years 6 months
Female, 9 months
Essentials: Poppy can be a bit shy at times, so would prefer a quiet adult home. She is an affectionate lady and when she has settled she will be soon be snuggling up to you on the sofa.
Essentials: Riz is a big boy with a heart of gold and is looking for a forever home where he is guaranteed lots of cuddles. He’d love a home with a garden so he can play and explore.
Essentials: Auburn has a timid side and needs a calm, experienced home with a garden. She came to us with a pre-existing medical condition, but she seems to have grown out of this. Our Vet team will see her until March 2019 if needed.
POPPY Likes: Once she has made herself at home, Poppy adores attention, a nice tummy tickle and playing with her toys.
Likes: More teddy bear than cat, Riz is an affectionate lad who loves to be spoilt rotten.
To find out more about these animals and other Mayhew residents waiting for a forever home, please visit us at themayhew.org/adopt or call 0208 962 8000.
Likes: With bundles of energy, Auburn loves a good play and to cuddle up on your lap.
for dogs, cats and communities I 17
SPRING 2019
Puppy l ve
Puppies arrive at Mayhew for many reasons. Sadly, this can sometimes be the result of irresponsible breeding, as was the case with the seven Jack Russell terrier pups who came through our doors recently.
Although puppies that come to us may have had a shaky start in life, once they are in our care we can offer them the best chance of a happy ever after. Read on to find out how that happened for this special crew, plus some top tips on the best way to play with and train a puppy if you have one already, or are planning on getting one soon.
18 I
Puppies in the house!
Towards the end of last year, we had a surprise delivery when our Animal Welfare Officers brought in seven unwanted Jack Russell terriers, which we suspected were from a puppy farm. Word soon spread among the staff that there were some adorable new arrivals at the Home, and everyone was keen to catch a glimpse and hopefully sneak a quick cuddle. As soon as the puppies were safely in our care, they were placed into the expert hands of our Vet and Kennels teams to look after until it was time to find their forever homes.
A thorough check-up
Every cat and dog that comes in to Mayhew is immediately seen at our on-site Community Vet Clinic and given a full health check with vaccinations and flea and worm treatment. Once the puppies had all been examined, the next task was to give them names. As they were such sweet bundles, they were named after treats: Fudge, Cookie, Pudding, Pie, Custard, Waffle and Truffle.
Over the next few weeks, the puppies kept our Kennels team really busy – you can just imagine the fun, and the mess! There was a lot of playing and socialisation, and the puppies made the most of our indoor doggy play area, which is full of things to explore and stimulate them, both physically and mentally.
Finding the perfect match
Our Kennels team carries out behavioural checks on all our dogs, and they closely monitor them to see how they react around food and with toys, people and other dogs. Our expert animal behaviourists can spot particular character traits that will help each dog find the right owner when it’s time for adoption.
Time for forever homes
When they were nine weeks old, all seven puppies were neutered in our vet clinic and were then ready for rehoming. Our Adoption team works hard to ensure each dog ends up with the perfect family, so they always provide a profile of the animal on our website rehoming pages to ensure the best fit can be found. We were inundated with people wanting to adopt these pups, and once the new owners had been interviewed and home checks were completed, we waved the puppies off to begin life in their new homes!
Once the puppies had all been examined, the next task was to give them names. As they were such sweet bundles, they were named after treats: Fudge, Cookie, Pudding, Pie, Custard, Waffle and Truffle.
All animals, including pups, are assessed as individuals to gauge their personalities and specific needs. These assessments help us match the dog to the right home and highlight any training needs that we can discuss with the new owner, providing personalised and ongoing support.
“
“
Tanya Madden, Deputy Head of Animal Welfare I 19
SPRING 2019
! s e t a d Pup
Cassie (was Custard)
Cassie definitely landed on her paws with her new owner, Antonia, who soon let us know how Cassie was getting on: ‘Cassie loves her walks and meeting people and other dogs, and there is nothing she likes doing more than snoozing on the sofa after walking us around the park or playing with her cat toys. Cassie is such a lovely, loving puppy, who everyone adores.’
Maggie (was Truffle)
Maggie found a forever home with loving owner Emma. A few days after adopting her, Emma emailed to update us: ‘Maggie has already settled in and is a credit to every lovely person at Mayhew who’s looked after her.’ A short while after her adoption, Maggie came back to Mayhew to meet our new Patron, The Duchess of Sussex, on her official visit (see pages 10 and 11).
Alfie (was Fudge)
Alfie was adopted by a family in London. His new owner, Conrad, explains how Alfie is now very much part of their family: ‘Alfie is happily running rings all around us with so much zest, love and enthusiasm. He is such a loveable, cute, ultra-friendly and goodnatured puppy, with a typical Jack Russell cheeky (sometimes naughty!) comic character. My family, and Alfie of course, are very grateful to Mayhew for all their good work and for bringing us together.’
The end of puppy farms in sight?
Last year, the government confirmed it would be banning sales of puppies and kittens by third parties – meaning that all young animals have to come either from rehoming centres like Mayhew, or reputable breeders who can show prospective owners the animal’s mum and provide proper advice and guidance. The ban shines a light on the suffering, both physical and psychological, that the animals people see in pet shops, or respond to online,
20 I
have likely experienced though poor breeding practices and conditions. Everyone at Mayhew looks forward to seeing the ban come into force this year, and we hope to see a decline in the numbers of unwanted puppies – like these seven Jack Russell terriers – coming in to our Home, so we can focus on helping more dogs, cats and people out in the community. To find out more about our rescue and rehoming work, visit themayhew.org.
Life with a new puppy
• If your puppy starts to bite your hand when playing, try and redirect onto a toy.
Top tips for pawsitive puppy play
• Ensure your puppy has lots of toys. They need a selection of appropriate things to chew on, or they may choose your new slippers instead! A shopping trip to purchase some toys for your new arrival is a must. Take a look at our online shop (shop.themayhew.org) to see our selection.
Our Adoption team always requires owners to continue with puppy socialisation and to book basic training classes for their new family member. Taking on a puppy comes with a lot of responsibility and careful planning is needed. You should be prepared for lots of play, but also know how to play with a puppy in the right way. They need to learn ‘bite inhibition’ (see below) and receive plenty of positive praise for calm play. Puppies often bite when playing, but you should discourage this as it can lead to a bad (and painful) habit as they grow. Dogs normally learn to stop biting, or ‘bite inhibition’, as part of learned pack behaviour when their siblings yelp if play is too rough. But when puppies are away from the pack it is something they will need their human family to help with. Here are a few tips that you may find useful:
• Play with your puppy regularly throughout the day to keep them stimulated and tire them out. • Never offer your hands for your puppy to play with.
• If your puppy insists on biting your hand, you may need to walk away and give them time to calm down.
• Give lots of positive praise for calm play.
Sit, stay
To continue training and socialisation, our Adoption Officers ask new owners to enrol for puppy training classes. We recommend that you go along to the class before you take your dog and, most importantly, check the credentials of trainers. The Association of Pet Dog Trainers lists local classes across the UK on their website: apdt.co.uk.
National Puppy Day is coming up on Saturday 23 March and we’d love to see your pooch’s puppy photos. Share them on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @TheMayhew.
I 21
SPRING 2019
EW I
ATION
YH
AL. MA
E NT R N
Georgia SPOTLIGHT ON
We are delighted to start 2019 as an official Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in Georgia. This is fantastic news as it means we will have a more permanent presence in the country and can continue to be a force for positive change. By working with local vets, animal welfare groups and the community, we can help create an environment where dogs, cats and humans can live in harmony.
Ongoing training and support
Last October, our Head Vet, Dr Ursula Goetz, and a team from Mayhew visited Tbilisi and spent eight days working with vets Dr Dato and Dr Ana at the New Vet Clinic and at Tbilisi Municipal Shelter. Both Dato and Ana have received training from Mayhew, and we frequently visit them in Tbilisi to see their progress and continue with further training. We are delighted that they are passing on these specialist skills to other vets in Georgia; the New Vet Clinic now has a third vet on board, Dr Temo Sherozia, who was proud to show our team his new neutering techniques, taught to him by Dato and Ana. At the Tbilisi Municipal Shelter our team carried out vet training in the on-site clinic and provided advice on shelter management. Ursula taught the shelter vets neutering and
22 I
spaying techniques and gave tips on pre- and post-operative care, disease control and dog behaviour.
Working together for success
We also caught up with our colleagues at Dog Organization Georgia (DOGS), for whom we have funded a Trap, Vaccinate, Neuter, Return (TVNR) programme. Tbilisi has faced challenges in dealing with the large population of dogs living on its streets, but real efforts are being made to manage this in the right way with TVNR projects delivered by the municipality and by local charities. In 2018, Georgian and expat volunteers brought dogs to two clinics in Tbilisi, the New Vet Clinic and Free Agrarian University Clinic, to be neutered and vaccinated before they were re-released back to their territories. We are so proud of the team, who neutered 500 dogs last year! Mayhew Georgia will be coordinating the TVNR programme with local Georgian volunteers and our Mayhew-trained vets from January 2019.
Saved from the bonnet of a car
While in Tbilisi, the Mayhew team made an unexpected rescue. Travelling in Dato’s car one day, they heard a mewing coming from the engine. Dato stopped his car, pulled up the bonnet and, to his surprise, discovered a tiny kitten inside.
Bonnet
Thankfully, the kitten – now aptly named Bonnet – was okay, albeit a little scared. The team took him back to the New Vet Clinic, where he was given lots of love and care to help him recover from his ordeal. After a spell in a foster home, he was then old enough to be neutered and vaccinated, and he soon found a forever home with a local Georgian family. Bonnet definitely chose the right car to hide in!
Life-saving surgery
During the team’s time at the Tbilisi Municipal Shelter, a female street dog was brought in that had been involved in a serious car accident. Unfortunately, the poor dog had such severe injuries to a hind leg that Ursula, Ana and the shelter’s Vet team had to make the hard decision to remove it. This was Ana’s first time completing a leg amputation and Ursula expertly guided her through the procedure.
Arwen
The dog, later named Arwen, recovered well and Ana took her home to foster while she got used to her new life on three legs. Arwen cannot be re-released as a street dog as she would be too vulnerable now, so once she’s fully recovered, Ana will find her a loving new home.
500 dogs were neutered last year
Sign up to the Mayhew International e-newsletter for updates on our work in Georgia, Afghanistan, India and Russia: themayhew.org/minews.
First person account: helping in Georgia Alissa Johnson, Mayhew’s Digital Communications Officer, joined the Mayhew team on their recent trip to Georgia. She spoke to us about her work at the municipal shelter in Tbilisi.
I will never forget the week I spent working with Mayhew International at the Tbilisi Municipal Shelter in Georgia. It was one of the hardest and most challenging experiences I have ever had, but it was incredibly rewarding.
My first thought on arriving at the shelter was how lucky we are in the UK. The shelter is massive and was packed with dogs, puppies, cats and kittens – there was even a horse in a stable round the back! Every few hours, more animals arrived, collected by the Municipality Animal Monitoring Agency team or brought in by members of the public. Georgia has a substantial street dog population, so sadly a lot of the dogs that come into the shelter have been involved in accidents after wandering unknowingly into the road; it was very hard to watch the shelter team unload those vans.
The injured animals come straight into the shelter’s vet clinic. There is a small team of Georgian vets and vet nurses working there and the facilities are basic compared to those we’re used to in the UK. Our Head Vet, Ursula, explained to me that being a vet in Georgia has not been seen as a highly regarded profession, so it’s extra important for Mayhew to be there to share our veterinary skills and knowledge.
The days at the shelter were long and exhausting, both physically and mentally. One minute I felt full of love and pride watching Ursula and Mayhewtrained Georgian vet Ana teach a successful surgery technique to the shelter’s vets, and then I’d feel such sadness as yet another injured animal arrived in desperate need of our help. Despite the long days and emotional challenges, I was so proud to be a part of the Georgian Mayhew team for a week and to have insight into their vital work raising standards of vet care and shelter management so that the Tbilisi Municipal Shelter can continue to learn, improve and help even more animals in the future.
I 23
SPRING 2019
EW I
ATION
YH
AL. MA
Helping animals and people in Kabul
E NT R N
23,240 dogs were vaccinated against rabies across
16
districts in the city, with an average vaccination rate of
78%
24 I
In 2018, the Mayhew Afghanistan team made fantastic progress in their work in Kabul. By the middle of December, they had completed the coverage of the first cycle and vaccinated 23,240 dogs against rabies across 16 districts in the city, with an average vaccination rate of 78% of the dog population. The team also grew bigger, with additional vets and dog catchers recruited to join the efforts to vaccinate street and domestic dogs. A second dog population survey was carried out which provided data that would help plan the second year of the vaccination programme, and Mayhew Afghanistan hosted the second-ever World Rabies Day event at Kabul Zoo, including an interactive workshop for children.
In the winter edition of Tails we asked for your support, appealing for funds towards a Trap, Vaccinate, Neuter, Return (TVNR) programme in Kabul. The appeal has raised almost ÂŁ11,000 so far and we are really grateful for your donations. This comprehensive neutering programme aims to
control the free-roaming dog population in the city and will also help to combat the spread of Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumour (CTVT), as well as other diseases. You can read more about CTVT on our website: themayhew.org/ctvt. The TVNR programme is planned to begin in Kabul this spring, with an additional team of dog catchers recruited to work on the programme. Based on the data we have gathered, the aim is to neuter 40% of the free-roaming dog population in the first year, which amounts to around 6,500 dogs. We will keep you updated on our progress.
A fond
farewell
Teaching vets and veterinary students from more than
20
different countries
This month we sadly say goodbye to our Head Vet, Dr Ursula Goetz, after 10 years at Mayhew. As well as heading up our Community Vet Clinic, Ursula has trained vets from around the world and worked with Mayhew International, passing on her amazing knowledge and skills. We asked Ursula to reflect on her time at Mayhew.
There has been significant change and growth over the past 10 years; the Community Vet Clinic has grown four-fold and has been completely rebuilt into the modern, efficient new building we have today. None of this would have been possible without everyone’s support and the trust of our donors that we will use their donations mindfully and wisely.
While at Mayhew, I have also been given the opportunity to expand my veterinary expertise, studying for further qualifications which I have put to good use teaching vets and veterinary students from more than 20 different countries. I believe that teaching the principles of surgery and leading by example to treat each animal with compassion and care has the biggest impact to improve animal welfare within our local communities, as well as internationally.
Urgent and desperate need for help, advice and training
Mayhew International works with governments, municipalities, communities and charitable groups to help improve animal welfare overseas. The projects are strategically planned and executed, and it has been enormously fulfilling to see the impact of our work on a grass-roots level, within shelters and beyond.
or Russia, has helped me to appreciate what we have here in the UK. Working in remote and underdeveloped areas challenges you to think outside the box. I remember suddenly needing my bicycle light when there was a power cut in the middle of surgery, and using an empty plastic bottle filled with warm water to keep animals warm after an operation. It was humbling, and showed me the urgent and desperate need for help, advice and training to improve the lives of animals and their communities. I can honestly say that every international trip has taught me something; I feel in some ways as much of a student as the vets I teach. And there is nothing more rewarding than seeing vets I have trained become teachers themselves – seeing that passion to make a difference multiply. I have been very fortunate to work with the best team here and also with Dr Ana in Georgia, who I met when she was still a student and who is now training vets locally.
It has been a wonderful 10 years and I’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone I’ve worked with at Mayhew, both in the UK and overseas.
There is nothing more rewarding than seeing vets I have trained become teachers themselves.
“
“
Everyone at Mayhew is passionate about animal welfare – from our Trustees to our CEO, Caroline, through to every employee, our students and volunteers. This results in a really supportive environment, with each animal being given the full attention they deserve when they need it.
Being part of Mayhew International projects, whether this was in Nepal, Peru, India, Georgia
I 25
Nutritional tips
SPRING 2019
Ask the expert: feeding your cat
It often seems that dogs will eat almost anything that you put in front of them, while cats take a more sophisticated approach to their culinary exploits. But, just as cats and dogs are vastly different, each individual pet will have their own quirks and preferences.
Head Vet Nurse Gillian and Deputy Head Nurse Charlotte from our Community Vet Clinic share their expertise on ensuring your cat has a balanced, healthy diet and offer some advice and tips if your furry friend is proving difficult to feed.
Dealing with fussy
26 I
F
Remember, if you are deeply
concerned about your cat’s eating habits, or if they have been off their food for more than two days, we would recommend a quick trip to the vets – a small price to pay for your peace of mind.
Fussy eaters?
eaters
Cats can be fussy eaters for a number of reasons, so try not to panic. In order to get to the bottom of things, you could first try offering food that they find irresistible, such as some warm chicken. This is not a suitable long-term feed, but it helps to establish whether they are just being a little picky or if there is an underlying issue.
Illness
Illness and dental problems can put cats off eating. It is important to rule this out as early as possible. If they have been off their food for more than two days or are displaying any other symptoms, such as rapid weight loss, then you must seek medical advice from your vet immediately. Your vet will run the necessary checks to ensure that your cat is in perfect health. Your vet or vet nurse will also be able to advise on hints and tips to try to get them to eat, which will then give you the confidence to trial some different feeding techniques.
Stress
Stress can often be a factor, and you may see a change in your pet’s eating habits during stressful times such as moving house or the arrival of a new baby. Cats in particular are extremely sensitive to change. Even something as subtle as moving furniture around can make them feel anxious. Try offering them a tasty treat or a hiding place where they can access their meals. Once tempted, they should happily tuck into their regular food. In any case, be sure to pay them plenty of attention and monitor their eating over the next couple of days.
Overfeeding
Do your best to ensure that you are the only one feeding your pet. If you have an outdoor cat, it may be that your neighbours are feeding them too. Or are you or one of your family members giving your cat extra treats or scraps from the dinner table? It could be that your cat isn’t a fussy eater, and that they’re just full up!
If your pet is overweight or obese it can cause numerous health problems. At our Community Vet Clinic you can book to see the vet nurse, who can assess your pet and create a personalised plan to help achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.
Nutritional advice and feeding tips
It is important to choose a high-quality, nutritionally complete diet. Check the packaging of your pet’s food. If it says ‘complete’, then it has been designed to meet all of your pet’s nutritional needs. Foods that say ‘complementary’ on the packaging are not nutritionally complete and we recommend only using these products as an occasional treat.
If you are changing your cat’s food, try to make a gradual transition over a few days. Not only could a sudden change in diet cause an upset tummy, but some pets will not take to the new food unless it is introduced gradually.
Little and often
If your pet is a picky eater, it might be worth offering more frequent, smaller meals. Place the food down and leave it for 30 minutes. If it isn’t eaten, take it away. When it is time for the next meal, offer the food again and take it away after 30 minutes. Repeat this process over the course of a few days and don’t be tempted to offer treats between meals. Hopefully, your pet will learn that an alternative option is not going to be offered and that they will need to eat the food provided.
Should I give my cat vitamins?
There should be no need to offer supplementary vitamins unless specified by your vet. Provided that you are offering your cat a balanced diet, their nutritional needs should be covered.
Offering your pet treats
The key to a healthy lifestyle is balance, and cats can have treats occasionally but not frequently.
You should never offer pets chocolate as this can be fatal for dogs and toxic for cats. If you would like to treat your cat this Easter, there are specially formulated pet chocolate substitutes available. I 27
SPRING 2019
Do you consider yourself a canny cat expert? Or perhaps you are a walking dog encyclopaedia? It’s time to test those skills with these cat and dog trivia questions.
QUIZTIME!
You’ll find the answers at the bottom of the page. Good luck!
For cat connoisseurs
1. What is the name of fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld’s super stylish kitty (she has even inspired a collection of handbags)?
2. Which famous writer had polydactyl cats (and what does polydactyl mean)? 3. Name two of the other four animals that can purr.
4. Cats can be left-pawed or right-pawed – true or false? 5. Which large wild cat cannot fully retract its claws? 6. If your cat blinks slowly at you, what are they trying to tell you? 7. One human year is equivalent to how many cat years? 8. What is the name of Mowgli’s feline friend in The Jungle Book?
9. How many toes do cats normally have? 10. What is the scientific name for the behaviour when cats groom other cats or people?
For doggy best friends 1. In which colours do dogs see?
2. How tall is the Guinness World Record holder for tallest dog and can you name him? 3. How long does it take to train a guide dog?
4. How many words can a dog recognise: 65, 115 or 165?
5. Whose dog was used as the inspiration behind the short furry creatures called Ewoks in Star Wars? 6. Through which part of the body do dogs sweat?
7. Which TV series had a dog named K9 who was also a robot? 8. Which dog breed yodels instead of barks?
9. Which other body part, apart from nostrils, helps a dog smell?
10. Which breed of dog, also called the ‘Lion Dog’, is known for its snoring?
How did you do?
1–3: Time to brush up on some furry facts 4–6: Plenty to be pawsitive about 7–9: Top dog 10+: Purrfect!
Cats: 1. Choupette; 2. Ernest Hemingway (extra digits); 3. Squirrels, lemurs, elephants, gorillas; 4. True; 5. Cheetahs; 6. That they trust you and are content – it’s like a kitty kiss; 7. Seven years; 8. Bagheera the panther (Shere Khan the tiger is his enemy); 9. Eighteen: five on each front paw and four on each back paw (except for polydactyl cats!); 10. Allogrooming Dogs: 1. Black, white, blue and yellow; 2. 1.118m (Zeus); 3. Approximately 18 months; 4. On average about 165; 5. George Lucas; 6. Paws; 7. Dr Who; 8. Basenji; 9. Mouth; 10. Pekingese
Answers
28 I
SUPPORT US IN 2019
2019 promises to be an exciting year to be involved with Mayhew, and you can show your support for our work by fundraising for us. We receive no government funding and Mayhew is solely funded by amazing people just like you! Here are just some of the opportunities we have created to inspire you to help support us.
Membership
Become a member today for only £20 a year and make a positive difference to the lives of hundreds of homeless cats and dogs in the UK and abroad.
As part of your membership, you’ll receive peace of mind with the guarantee that Mayhew will look after your pet should they outlive you (one animal per membership). You’ll also be able to show your support with a membership card and cardholder, an exclusive pin badge and other benefits.
Gifts in celebration
Whether it’s a birthday, wedding or anniversary, you can celebrate your special occasion and help animals in need at the same time by asking your friends and family to make a donation instead of giving gifts. We have a range of ideas for ways to donate, including virtual gifts, collection boxes at your event and an online celebration fundraising page.
Sponsorship
Sponsor one of our cat or dog cabins and, from as little as £5 a month, you can provide a safe, comfortable and stress-free environment for Mayhew animals to live in until they find their permanent home.
As part of your sponsorship, your name will be added to a special plaque displayed at Mayhew and you’ll receive updates on residents, a personalised certificate, a cuddly toy and more!
In memoriam
Giving a gift in memory is a wonderful way to honour and remember a loved one or a dear pet. It is a lasting and meaningful tribute to ensure their legacy will live on, and your gift will help many animals in need. There are several ways in which you can make a gift in memory, from creating an online tribute page to organising a collection at a funeral.
To find out more, visit themayhew.org/donate or call our Fundraising team on 020 8206 5870 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm). If there are other ways you’d like to fundraise for us, please get in touch – we’d love to hear your ideas! I 29
SPRING 2019
YOUR LETTERS
We always love to hear how our ex-Mayhew animals are getting on in their new forever homes. Here are some updates our Dog Adoption Officer, Lisa, and Cat Adoption Officer, Matt, have received, along with some wonderful photos!
Boycie
Dear Lisa,
Troy
Kitty
Hi Lisa,
Hi Matt,
ply as ‘T’ – has Troy – now known sim d is a bundle of an ll we settled in really the roost and love and joy. He rules tons of cuddles! It’s loves his walks and see him so relaxed a beautiful thing to k forward to many loo we and happy, and th the wee man. more years of joy wi g after him for so Thank you for lookin ! nic with a capital ‘T’ long; he really is a to of us, Best wishes from all te Pe d an Helena
Kitty (was Shelley) is settling in well and is so adorable. She loves attention, sitting right beside us if she wants to be stroked, and is extremely curious, sniffing at everything that we bring into the house! She especially loves to play and will sometimes pick up her toy mouse and drop it in front of us to let us know that she wants to! Once again, thank you for looking after her so well throughout her long stay with Mayhew. Kind regards, Wendy and Joe
Hi Matt,
Boycie quickly settled in, and the first night he was completely happy with his sleeping arrangements downstairs, where he has both a sofa and a bed that he can sleep in! We quickly discovered what he likes to eat, and he really enjoys his breakfast and dinner.
Ever yone who meets him says how handsome he is and what a good dog he is. The two dog-loving grandchildren we have think he is great. We have a long lead, which he wears and does not pull on, and if he is going in one direction and we are going in another, I only have to say, ‘This way Boycie’, and he will turn around and come trotting over to us. I don’t think it will be long before we can forget about the long lead.
We are very happy with Boycie and, most importantly, Boycie appears to be happy with us.
Regards, Derr y and Terry
Tarka continues to go from strength to strength. In fact, she’s definitely got a lot fitter and can now jump on pretty high garden fences, kitchen tables, etc. But her favourite activity is still climbing onto any available lap and ‘making biscuits’ before falling asleep. She’s super friendly and loves everyone who comes over to visit her. She’s become quite talkative too, chirruping away as she wanders around. Best wishes, Rose
30 I
Tarka
To share your updates with us, please get in touch by writing to Mayhew, Trenmar Gardens, Kensal Green, London, NW10 6BJ or email support@mayhewanimalhome.org.
MillMill Lane Lane Veterinary Veterinary Surgery Surgery
Mill Lane Veterinary Surgery
Advanced Advanced medical medical care for your pets pets Advanced medical care forcare yourfor petsyour
Proud toProud support Mayhew Animal Home Proud to support toThe support The The Mayhew Mayhew Animal Animal Home Ho Joshua Rusnak BVSc CertSAS MRCVS
JoshuaJoshua RusnakRusnak BVSc CertSAS BVSc CertSAS MRCVS MRCVS
68-70 Mill Lane, London NW6 1NJ www.mill-lane-vet.com 68-70 Mill 68-70Lane Mill, London Lane, London NW6 1NJ NW6 1NJ
www.mill-lane-vet.com www.mill-lane-vet.com 020 7794 1777
020 020 77947794 17771777
Putting the food back into dog food Fresh, home-cooked meals. Perfectly portioned. Delivered to your door.
Fetch
50%
hew
tternutbox.com/may off your first box at www.bu