Tails | Winter 2019

Issue 8 I Winter 2019 I www.themayhew.org

In this issue...

First Christmas in a forever home Looking out for London’s feral cats Our new kennels!

WINTER 2019

Front cover photo of Trevor by Georgie Wishart.

Read more about Trevor on page 15.

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: Jess Feehan, Audrey Granger, Sarah Hastelow, Graham Hilling, Alissa Johnson, Pooch & Pineapple, Andrew Richardson (Raven Imagery), Paul Tansley, Georgie Wishart, 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

Cold hands and frosty paws

Hello and welcome to your winter Tails magazine.

We’ve got loads of exciting stuff to share with you this issue – a tour of our modern new kennels, renovated using the very latest animal welfare knowledge (page 8); a fascinating research study carried out by Middlesex University into the positive impact of our TheraPaws programme (page 20); a round-up of global good news from Mayhew International (page 22); and the debut of a fun new feature showcasing readers’ beloved pets (page 28).

For the dog owners among you, everything you need to prepare for a safe and stress-free Christmas holiday with your pup is on page 12, while cat lovers can try out our tips for supporting local ferals or strays this winter (page 11).

We’ve also included your very own copy of the Mayhew Christmas Gift Guide 2019, full of present and décor inspiration to help you get ready for the festive season.

Contents 04

10

Mayhew news

Looking out for London’s feral cats

06

12

In memory of Fudge

A first Christmas in a forever home

16

Cats and dogs looking for a home

Mayhew International

18

25

Life with a very curious cat

In their shoes

26

07

Pet Refuge celebrates 15 years

Guest chat: Rula Lenska

28

We hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year – from all of us at Mayhew!

My four-legged friend

19

Calling all businesses

Are you interested in advertising in Tails? Would you like to sponsor a Mayhew event? We are looking for businesses (big and small!) to partner with. To find out more, email us at tails@mayhewanimalhome.org or call 020 8206 5872.

22

08

New Kennels for Mayhew dogs

29

Pawsome gifts!

All aboard!

20

30

The power of the human-animal bond

Your letters

Company limited by guarantee number: 3837732 2 I

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News

WINTER 2019

Dogs, cats and a fun-filled street party!

H

undreds of people joined Mayhew staff, volunteers and animals at our annual open day in September, raising an incredible £8,400! The event was sponsored by Butternut Box and 4Cats, and hosted by journalist, presenter and animal welfare campaigner Wendy Turner. We were also thrilled to welcome actor Neil Morrissey, Andy Slaughter MP and Daryl Brown, Mayor of Hammersmith and Fulham. Visitors had the chance to take a peek behind the scenes at the Home, visit our cattery and meet some TheraPaws dogs, while enjoying live music, food, stalls and outdoor activities.

New kennels for Mayhew dogs

A

fter several months of building work, we were delighted to open the doors to our new kennels in early September. The renovated space is a much-improved environment for the dogs in our care, as well as for the staff dedicated to looking after them. Turn to pages eight and nine for some ‘before and after’ photos.

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We cats – it’s official!

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oing to the vets can be upsetting for many cats, but our Vet team is committed to making visits as stress-free as possible for all our feline friends, whether they are temporary residents or outpatients. We were therefore delighted to be awarded the Cat Friendly Clinic Silver accreditation by International Cat Care, with Registered Veterinary Nurse Kelly named as our Cat Advocate. Find out what it means to be a Cat Friendly Clinic at catfriendlyclinic.org.

A ramble to raise money for Mayhew rescues

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unday 6 October proved to be the perfect day for a fundraising walk with four-legged pals as over 130 people and their pups joined us on Hampstead Heath for our annual Great Rescue Ramble. The event was sponsored by Edgard & Cooper, and we raised a fantastic £1,450 on the day. We’d like to say well done and thank you to everyone who took part!

Save the date – Mayhew Christmas Fair

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lease join us for a day of festivities on Sunday 24 November at the Mayhew Christmas Fair.

Come along to our Home in Kensal Green for a fun-filled afternoon, with entertainment, wintry treats, gorgeous gifts and the chance to meet Santa Paws! You are also invited to look around the Home and meet some of our animals looking for forever families.

Tickets will be available on the door: £3 adults; £2 children/concessions.

Or visit themayhew.org/christmasfair.

To keep up with the latest news from Mayhew, visit themayhew.org/news or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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WINTER 2019

In memory of Fudge

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Guest chat: Rula Lenska

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ula Lenska is one of Britain’s best-loved actresses and a veteran of the stage and small screen. She is known for her support of animal welfare charities and her love of animals, campaigning for their protection in the UK and overseas.

Here she speaks to us about her passion for animal welfare and her support for Mayhew, as well as the four-legged pals she has made on Coronation Street!

hen Nadia Donaldson adopted 13-year-old Fudge, he had been with Mayhew for a while and had been overlooked by many. Fudge was an old boy and could be bit grumpy, but Nadia fell for him. They had four happy years together until Fudge passed away earlier this year. Here Nadia pays tribute to “the world’s most beautiful cat”.

At the start of February, I said goodbye to my fluffy boy Fudge. He was 17 and a half and had fought so many battles. He was the world’s greatest ginger ninja; the cat that knew his own mind, lazed around like a prince, howled like a banshee in the middle of the night and was my best buddy.

I adopted him from Mayhew six months after my brother was killed suddenly. I needed a distraction, something to love because I couldn’t love myself, and I needed an alarm clock louder than the one I had. Fudge was 13, had just been diagnosed with kidney disease and was the most handsome beast I had ever seen. In the four years I had him, we had a few adventures, including a Christmas Eve dash to the vets and an emergency call to the fire brigade when he got himself into a tricky tight spot! He also had a reputation at all the local vets that really wasn’t something to be proud of! But my favourite time with Fudge was when I couldn’t sleep at night and he would snuggle up to me and remind me that I wasn’t alone.

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Carrying him to the vets for the last time broke my heart, but I whispered in his ear that I loved him, and I thanked him for the joy and comfort he had brought me in the short time I had him. I have had people say that he was lucky that I adopted him, but I was the lucky one.

If you are considering adopting an animal, I urge you to look past their age and any illnesses they may have. The love they give and the joy they bring outweighs all of this – it actually makes them extra special. Mayhew provided the most amazing support with Fudge’s kidney disease management (even though I’m pretty sure he was the worstbehaved ratbag that ever visited their vet clinic!).

After all we went through, I would adopt Fudge a million times over. He was one of the best things that ever happened to me. He gave me more than I could ever give to him.

Why do you support Mayhew?

If you are considering adopting a pet and could offer an elderly cat or dog a home, visit the adoption pages on our website: themayhew.org/rehome.

I was introduced to the work of Mayhew through my friend, the actor Peter Egan, a well-known animal lover who is committed to improving animal welfare. There are so many abandoned, neglected and forgotten animals that need our help, and I believe we have to help give animals a voice. Mayhew wants to give cats and dogs the chance to be happy and safe, and they work in a special way, as they are not only reaching out to these animals but also to the human

owners who are sometimes unable to look after them.

have a dog, but I’m hoping that will change one day.

Animals can bring such happiness into our lives, as well as comfort and solace. There is such joy in taking on an abandoned or maltreated animal and giving them a second chance in life. They will give so much back in return for you loving them.

Life on the cobbles is great fun – and hard work! I am thrilled to be part of the Barlow family and hope it will continue. Luckily for me there are dogs on the set: Ken [Barlow, played by Bill Roache] has a little Border terrier called Eccles and there are several other dogs on the show. Coronation Street is such an iconic British television show and it is an honour to be a part of it.

Why do you think it’s important to adopt, not shop?

Do you have rescue pets of your own?

I have had rescue cats and dogs all my life.

To date, I’ve had 10 rescue cats – all very different, with distinct personalities, and all adorable (and adored!). My first rescue dog was called Silky, a German shepherd/ rough collie cross. She had been thrown out of a car and had run miles on the central reservation before she was picked up. She was timid and scared of everything, but within six months she was settled and was a loyal, clever and devoted pet, and everyone who met her fell in love with her. Sadly, as I am now away with work so much, I can’t

Are you enjoying life on Coronation Street?

Can you tell us a little about your conservation work?

I have been a dedicated conservationist all my life. I am a founder member of the Born Free Foundation and Animals Asia, and have also been involved with several other international charities. I am fortunate to have seen many wild animals in their natural habitat and I have a particularly soft spot for elephants – they are magnificent.

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WINTER 2019

NEW KE ELS

…and for our staff and volunteers

During

for Mayhew dogs

I

n September, we were delighted to officially open our new kennels after a five-month renovation project. The previous kennels were over 20 years old and due for an upgrade, and the refurbished space provides a warm, light-filled environment that is safer and more suitable for our animals and staff.

Improving the experience for our animals…

This was a mammoth project and the new structure offers plentiful benefits to the many dogs in our care, including those who come into Mayhew as strays and as part of our community support initiatives.

Animal welfare knowledge has advanced dramatically during the past few years, and our new kennels are uniquely tailored to allow us to provide improved enrichment activities and utilise techniques that will

minimise the stress of being in a shelter environment.

In addition to air-conditioning and new flooring, each kennel now has more natural light and features a mix of frosted and clear glass, so that dogs are able to see staff and visitors properly but can be shielded from each other. There is more personal space for each dog, toys and sensory enrichment items such as essential oil diffusers, and also radios and TVs to mimic a home environment as much as possible.

This new and improved space will benefit not only the dogs in our care, but also those who work with them. The positive impact of our upgraded kennels, which include a new intake area and updated staff premises, will be felt across the board by our Animal Welfare Officers, Kennels and Adoption team and all of the students and volunteers who enable Mayhew to help hundreds of animals and people in need.

The grand opening

We revealed our new kennels at an intimate event attended by some of the generous donors who made the work possible, as

well as VIPs and past and present service users. Guests including actors Lesley Nicol, Sue Jameson and Beatie Edney, vet and campaigner Marc Abraham and ornithologist Bill Oddie came along to hear about our renovation project in more detail and met rescue dogs and owners who have previously been supported by Mayhew.

The refurbishment of our kennels was only possible thanks to the generosity of our donors and supporters, including funds from the legacy of art critic, journalist and Mayhew dog adopter Brian Sewell, who died in 2015. Without this funding, we would not have been in a position to undertake the project and we are extremely grateful.

After

The unique way in which every animal is looked after at Mayhew is amazing.

I love that they help people in difficult situations. The new kennels are gorgeous – there is lots of natural light and space, and the dogs are really catered for.

There is everything they could possibly need!

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Leaving a lasting legacy to help animals in need

When Mayhew is left a gift in will, it enables us to continue our work transforming the lives of countless dogs and cats. To find out more about the lasting difference you can make by leaving a legacy to help animals in need, call us on 020 8206 5780 or email legacies@ mayhewanimalhome.org.

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Before

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Sue Jameson, actor and Mayhew supporter

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WINTER 2019

Georgina Costi, Cat Welfare Officer

Controlling population growth

There are thousands of feral cat colonies living in hidden spots across London. And it’s a growing problem, as unneutered female cats are able to reproduce from just five months of age and can have up to three litters a year, which can cause feral cat numbers to boom out of control. As colonies grow, there is more chance of cats coming to harm – through fighting, malnutrition and the spread of diseases such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV).

Mayhew’s Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) programme helps control and contain the local feral cat population. Our Animal

Feral or stray?

Feral – an undomesticated cat living wild outdoors who has had little, if any, contact with humans.

Semi-feral – as above, but mostly happy to live in close proximity to people with minimal human contact.

Stray – a cat that has been previously owned and domesticated but has run away, got lost or been abandoned.

*Survey of 1,012 adults living within the M25, conducted July 2019.

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Colony – feral, semi-feral and/or stray cats that live as a

group in a territory close to regular sources of food and water.

Cats can have kit tens from five mon ths, so it’s import domestic cats as ant to neuter unwanted pregan cies can lead to lar colonies. Mayhew ger feral ’s Pick & Snip prog ramme helps to en support neuterin courage and g of owned pets.

Find out more at org/community-s themayhew. upport/pick-andsnip.

Welfare Officers (AWOs) respond to calls from the public every day, trapping reported feral cats on location before bringing them back to Mayhew for neutering and health checks. Most cats that we trap and neuter are released back to their original colony location, providing the area is suitable and a safe environment for them.

A different life for little Mary

Tiny Mary was born to a semi-feral mother in a colony near to Mayhew, along with a brother who unfortunately passed away shortly after birth. Our AWOs visited the colony on a routine TNR visit and noticed that Mary had a sore eye and pronounced squint. It was unclear whether this was caused by an infection or an injury.

Mary had been handled by a member of the public who was feeding the colony so she was confident and curious around people, and our AWOs were able to bring her in for treatment alongside her mum. Thankfully, Mary’s sore eye healed quickly and, when she was 12 weeks old, she was ready to be rehomed. Unsurprisingly, she got snapped up straight away by a besotted new owner and now lives a life of luxury as a beloved pet.

Looking out for feral cats in your neighbourhood

Here are a few ways you can help your local colonies:

• Leave out bowls of fresh water and check the water frequently in freezing weather to ensure it has not frozen.

• If you put food down, leave it in a dry, shaded location, but no more than once a day as this helps ensure the cats still retain their natural drive and ability to hunt and fend for themselves.

• You could build a cat shelter (you can find instructions for making a shelter on our website themayhew.org/ feralguide).

• If you have any concerns about the health and welfare of feral cats in your neighbourhood, please call our Animal Welfare Officers. If you live within the M25, you can let us know if any new cats appear so we can quickly trap and neuter them.

Over the years, feral cats have become “ a part of London wildlife. Although we encourage people to keep an eye on colonies in their area, our goal is to ensure cat owners are aware that timely neutering is crucial to help keep the feral cat population down.

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recent study by Mayhew revealed that only 53% of Londoners* understand what is meant by the term ‘feral cat’. But feral and semi-feral felines are a growing problem across the city. Nearly half of us (46%) have concerns about feral cats spreading illness and disease, and 15% worry that without reproduction control the feral cat population will rapidly expand.

“

“

Looking out for London’s feral cats

Neutering provides so many health and behavioural benefits and means that feral cats are far more likely to live a longer, happier and healthier life, particularly with local residents looking out for them.

Zoe Edwards, Head of Animal Welfare

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WINTER 2019

C

hristmas with a new pet is a very exciting time, and with a rescue it can be particularly special.

Here you’ll find some advice and tips we’ve put together to help you have a happy, healthy Christmas with your dog. And over on page 15 you can meet some ex-Mayhew dogs who are looking forward to their first festive season in their forever homes.

Prepping for the festive period

There’s lots you can do to make sure your furry family member has a fun and stressfree experience this Christmas. There will be many new and exciting things happening during the festive period, so try to stick to their regular routine as the more normality you can give your pet the better.

Keeping your dog calm and safe

Meeting unfamiliar people can be very overwhelming for some dogs, so make sure you have a safe space or den set up for them to escape to if they are feeling stressed. You could also buy them some new, interesting toys or a puzzle feeder to keep them distracted during social visits. If they seem distressed by the arrival of guests, keep them in a room away from the front door to minimise the impact of household traffic.

You could also consider taking them for slightly longer walks over Christmas, allowing them to work off excess energy.

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Keep tasty Christmas treats out of reach of your pup and avoid small decorations around the house as these can be a hazard.

Seasonal plants such as poinsettia, holly, ivy and mistletoe are beautiful, but they are toxic to dogs. By not having them in the house you can avoid potential cases of vomiting, diarrhoea or contact dermatitis.

If you are fond of a real Christmas tree, be aware that the oil on the needles can be mildly toxic if consumed. They can also get stuck in your dog’s throat or paws.

All those bright, shiny presents under the tree can be very tempting for a pooch and will often warrant an early inspection by them! Make sure Santa keeps presents safely stored away until Christmas Day to avoid any premature unwrapping. Wrapping paper and ribbons can also be a choking hazard, so make sure you clean up as you go on Christmas morning.

Seasonal plants such as poinsettia, holly, ivy and mistletoe are beautiful, but they are toxic to dogs.

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WINTER 2019

‘Tis the season (of treats)!

Mince pies, Christmas cake, cheese boards and Quality Street – these delicious festive treats are almost too good to turn down. Christmas is often a period of eating more than usual for us humans, and dogs are at risk of overindulging from their own doggy stocking too.

We want to spoil our four-legged family members, but too many special treats can lead to stomach upsets and weight issues. Consider whether your dog would be just as pleased with a new toy or a fun-filled walk before you hand out their edible Christmas treats.

Sharing Christmas dinner

Giving your dog leftovers can mean additional calories that put stress on their body. If you do decide to share some of your Christmas dinner, make sure that you reduce their other food to account for the extra calorie intake. Not all of the things that we eat are suitable for dogs, so please be careful with what you serve up!

Our Christmas crackers

Meet some ex-Mayhew dogs who have had, or are about to have, their first Christmas with their forever family.

Missy

Rolo & Pickle

Two-year-old saluki/whippet cross Rolo arrived at Mayhew with a litter of siblings.

He was adopted in April 2018 and lives in Buckinghamshire with his new family.

CHRISTMAS

MENU

What can my dog

eat?

or chicken meat Lean parts of turkey (plain and boneless) rrots Plain boiled or raw ca oil) (without any glaze or med Plain boiled or stea s ut Brussel spro

Looking for advice?

If your pet is looking a little portly, we run special weight clinics at our Community Vet Clinic. These include four private consultations with one of our qualified Vet Nurses to help get your pet to a healthy weight. Contact the clinic on 020 8962 8017 or email vetclinic@mayhewanimalhome.org for more information.

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Rio

Golden retriever puppy Rio was adopted from Mayhew in October 2018, and last Christmas he was only five months old. He lives in Dorset with his new owner, Ian, and has daily walks on the beach or on the clifftop.

“Rio had a won der ful time . He cam e with me to a fam ily part y on Chr istm as Day and enjo yed a few trea ts and pres ent s.

Des pite a retr ieve r’s high food driv e, Rio was very good arou nd Chr istm as dinn er and left all of our hum an trea ts alon e. We also had a spe cial Chr istm as part y at his pupp y trai ning clas s whe re Rio and all of his pupp y frie nds won priz es!”

“We were really excited about Rolo’s first Christmas with us.

He loved having his family all around him and we took him for lots of lovely walks in the snow.”

Rolo’s family have also recently adopted lurcher puppy Pickle from Mayhew.

“We are really looking forward to having Pickle with us this Christmas. He loves doing everything with Rolo (like a big brother!). It will be a very special Christmas – Pickle is absolutely adorable and the missing piece in our family.”

Nine-year-old Dobermann/pointer cross Missy is counting down to her first Christmas with her new family. She had been given up by her previous owner due to their ill health, but it wasn’t too long before Anthony and Elizabeth fell in love with her and made a place for her in their home.

“We are so looking forward to our first Christmas with Missy.

We will find a Christmassy badge for her collar and a new squeaky cuddly toy to add to her collection. We will stock the fridge with alternate glass and plastic bottles as she is spooked by clanking glass bottles when the door opens. If it gets too noisy for Missy she will probably disappear upstairs, bypassing her own cosy bed and heading into our bedroom for a short rest on our bed!”

Benny

Adorable shih-tzu Benny found his forever family in March this year after a couple of months at Mayhe w.

“Christmas is our favou rite time of the year and being able to share it with our litt le furry family member is going to be amazing! He’ll be most excited about bits of turkey tha t fall on the floor and a Chris tmas swim in the sea (we’ve discov ered he has quite a big love for swimming). He may not resist the temptation to ope n presents under the tree befor e the big day, but he’s so cut e we’ll probably let him get away with it!”

Thinking of the rescues who are not so lucky this Christmas

We love to see ex-Mayhew dogs happy at home with their new families at Christmas, enjoying presents and joining them on festive walks. But not all of our dogs are quite so lucky. While we try our best to make Christmas an extra-special time at our Home, it is no substitute for a family of their own.

Siberian husky Trevor first arrived at Mayhew in May 2018 and is still looking for his forever home. Sadly, we haven’t found the right match for him yet and so it’s likely he will be spending Christmas with our Kennels team. He is just one of the long-staying dogs that will be with us this festive season.

Visit themayhew.org/donate to support the dogs in our care this Christmas.

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WINTER 2019

LOOKING FOR A HOME We rehome hundreds of cats and dogs each year. Here are some of the amazing animals waiting patiently at Mayhew for their forever home. Could you be their pawfect pal?

TREVOR

Pull out

this pag e in your and display place o f work or scho o people l where lots of can see it t us find homes o help for our animals !

Male, 3 years 3 months

Likes: Intelligent, friendly and sociable, Trevor loves long walks, car trips and making friends with other dogs.

Essentials: This big boy is looking for a home with an active family that has previously owned large, energetic breeds, where he can continue his training and be kept mentally and physically stimulated.

Male, 1 year 3 months

Likes: Clever Loki is full of beans and makes friends everywhere he goes! He’s full of enthusiasm, and loves keeping busy.

LOKI

Essentials: With all that energy, Loki is looking for an owner who can keep up! He’d be best suited to someone with experience of large breeds, who can offer the mental and physical engagement he needs to stay happy and healthy.

BOWIE

OLLIE

Male, 4 years 2 months

Female, 8 years 2 months

Male, 3 years

Essentials: Edward likes to have the freedom to explore and go on adventures, so is looking for a home where he can roam indoors and out when he sees fit.

Essentials: Heidi is a little nervous, so would love to find a quiet home where she can take her time to get to know you and her new surroundings.

Essentials: While Ollie likes to be fussed over, he will let you know when he has had enough, and is looking for a calm home where he can find his paws at his own pace.

Likes: Edward is a big, handsome boy who has a cheeky soul. He loves his food, as well as popping up onto your lap for head boops.

Female, 11 years 9 months Likes: Beautiful Bowie likes to keep active, playing fetch or going for long walks. But don’t let her bouncy side fool you; she loves to cuddle up on a nice sofa too!

Essentials: This lovely girl doesn’t like to be left alone, so is looking for someone to keep her company during the day.

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HEIDI

EDWARD

Likes: Heidi is a sweet girl who likes to show off her happy little feet as she pads away on your lap or relaxes on the arm of a sofa.

To find out more about these animals and other Mayhew residents waiting for a forever home, please visit us at themayhew.org/rehome or call 0208 962 8000.

Likes: Charming Ollie loves living by his own rules and will enjoy becoming the centre of attention in his new home.

for dogs, cats and communities

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WINTER 2019

Life with a very curious cat

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hen Matt Taghioff adopted tuxedo kitty Zelda from Mayhew in 2014, he knew she was pretty special, but even he didn’t realise just how much fun they would have together. After becoming a bit of a legend on Twitter, Zelda has now – with a little help from Matt – published a book, The Adventures of a Curious Cat. We caught up with Matt to ask a few questions about his purrfect puss.

How did you come to adopt Zelda from Mayhew?

A friend of mine rehomed a cat from Mayhew. She gave a glowing review and encouraged me to adopt (although I didn’t really take much convincing). I’d seen a video of a sweet kitty named Tippytoes, so I called up and arranged to see her. When I met and spoke with the Adoption Officer, he suggested I meet a different cat who might be better suited to me. Her profile read: “Don’t be put off by my spooked expression”.

Naturally, I was curious to meet her.

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What was it about Zelda that caught your eye?

I’d never seen an animal look so surprised to see me. As soon as I arrived, she engaged me in an intense staring match, which she won. She slowly approached me, sniffed my hand and began purring as I petted her. I was amazed by how affectionate she was with me, and yet she remained on high alert! She was the first and only cat I met at Mayhew.

What inspired you to create Zelda’s book?

Zelda’s hilarious expressions and puzzling behaviour! She is so intrigued by life and I’ve always loved sharing her antics with friends, so I started Zelda’s Twitter account, posting photos with quirky captions and poems. She has a remarkable following who frequently ask about her, so I felt motivated to write more substantial prose and poetry. By coincidence, a number of publishers soon got in touch. I had a fascinating chat with one brilliant cat-mad editor, and the idea for the book was born!

Pawsome gifts!

Find your purrfect gifts in the Mayhew Christmas Gift Guide. Order online at shop.themayhew.org.

everything from how to handle humans to communicating with furniture. She gives intimate accounts of her shocking world, shedding light (and fur) on her most challenging adventures, her dating journey and more. It’s a gift book full of photos, captions, poetry and commentary, beautifully illustrated throughout – the purrfect self-help guide for cats and humans alike.

How do you think Zelda will celebrate her new success?

Zelda is unpredictable. She could go for a celebratory curtain-climb, or perhaps a victory lap of the countertops. Whatever she does, I will use the trail of broken photo frames and general debris to try to figure it out.

What is the book about?

It’s about living life curiously – from the perspective of a permanently startled cat. Zelda explains, in her unique voice,

.

Buy your copy of The Adventures of a Curious Cat through Mayhew (you’ll find it on page six of our Christmas Gift Guide, included with this issue of Tails). You can also order online at shop.themayhew.org. Your purchase will contribute towards helping more animals in need.

Clockwise from top: Grumpy Cat wand toy (£4.99); Cat face mug (£5.99); Multi-activity raccoon dog toy (£6.99); Christmas hounds tea towel (£6.99); Syringe-shaped pen (£2.00); Bone-shaped collar light (£3.99); Eco travel mug (£6.50); Catnip heart (£3.50); Dog foldable shopper (£3.49).

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WINTER 2019

New research proves benefits of the human – animal bond

You know you’ve made a little bit of difference “ during those sessions. You can smile at the fact that

“

you made a friend.

TheraPaws volunteer

Volunteers told researchers that the physical contact and sensory stimulation that the dogs provided for the residents was just as important as the emotional impact, particularly for residents with cognitive and physical impairments such as blindness or deafness.

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ayhew’s dog therapy programme TheraPaws works to improve mental, physical and emotional wellbeing in our local community. As part of the programme, our trained team of volunteers takes their therapy dogs into care and residential homes, hospitals, hospices and day centres across London, brightening up residents’ days with weekly or fortnightly visits.

Adapting to an individual’s needs

Therapy dogs are able to react and respond individually to people based on their own unique needs – for example, they can be calm and still if a person requires comfort and reassurance, or they can be more active with a person who wishes to pet and play with them. This enables each resident to engage with the dog in a way that is meaningful to them.

Dogs helping to transform society

Middlesex University’s findings prove that dogs have clear therapeutic value, and we now have scientific evidence to show that interaction with a dog reduces loneliness, improves mood, encourages interpersonal communication and provides a sense of community and companionship.

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the residents better and helped build more open and positive relationships between them: in short, creating happier care homes!

The study also revealed a 12% increase in the ‘quality of life’ of residents over the 12-week period, with 58% of residents saying that the dog visits made them feel ‘very happy’.

A huge 63% of residents also said that they ‘very much enjoyed’ the TheraPaws visits, and the same percentage actively looked forward to the sessions each week.

The sessions are an “ experience which is very dear to the residents.

They want it again and again, and they cannot stop talking about the dog.

“

Our TheraPaws staff and trained Happier care homes volunteers see the difference that Over a 12-week period, a team from Middlesex University joined TheraPaws dog therapy makes to individuals sessions at four London care homes to see on a daily basis, but we were keen effect our four-legged therapists had on to work with academic researchers the residents. to look deeper into this. Earlier this year, we undertook a three-month They discovered that spending time with Mayhew’s therapy dogs improved the research project with Middlesex general mood of residents and carers in University to assess the impact each care home and encouraged more of TheraPaws sessions on elderly conversations between the two groups.

This in turn enabled carers to get to know people in a care home.

Residential carer

The research also reveals that dogs can help to bridge the gap between vulnerable people and their support network, enhancing quality of life, meeting basic care needs and raising peoples’ general standard of living.

The findings establish beyond a doubt that animals have a transformative role in society – a belief that already guides all the work Mayhew does to promote and protect the human–animal bond, from our low-cost Community Vet Clinic to our animal welfare work in the community.

As awareness of the importance of our TheraPaws programme spreads, we are really excited to see what the future holds.

Cara and Hugo

Cara started volunteering for TheraPaws in 2018. She and her dog Hugo go on regular visits to care homes and hospices.

Cara says: “The residents are always really pleased to see Hugo. They get so much pleasure out of his visits, stroking him and feeding him treats. If they want a proper cuddle, Hugo goes up on their bed – he is a sensitive dog and knows what each person wants.

Sometimes he will curl up next to someone to help calm them down.

“It’s so heart-warming to see people who are so ill laugh at and enjoy Hugo’s antics. He often sparks memories, and then everyone starts reminiscing about their pets together.

Hugo loves the attention too – his tail starts to wag whenever I get out his special TheraPaws jacket!”

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WINTER 2019

E NT R N

Afghanistan Over £7,000 raised in our World Rabies Day campaign!

All through September, we asked for your help to vaccinate 10,000 more dogs in Kabul by the end of 2019. These vaccinations are vital in protecting the local community and free-roaming dogs from death, and only cost £1 per dog. We are delighted to say we raised over £7,000, which will mean we can save thousands of lives. Thank you for your support.

22 I

Happily Evie after?

More than 1,500 dogs neutered at our ABC Centre

In early July, street dog Evie was found by a Mayhew Georgia volunteer in a very distressing state. She was suffering from a broken front leg, which seemed to have been caused by being hit with something very hard. To make matters worse, Evie had received some inappropriate vet care and the poorly dressed leg was badly infected. There is no doubt Evie would have died if left on the street in this condition.

After two successful years delivering a mass canine rabies vaccination programme and gathering data on Kabul’s dogs, Mayhew International’s ABC Centre will now also deliver a spay and neuter programme to help humanely address the number of free-roaming dogs on the city’s streets.

The target is to neuter 10,000 dogs in the first year, primarily females, and with more than 1,500 dogs already neutered since the clinic opened, we are well on the way to achieving this.

Turn to page 25 to read an interview with Dr Razia and Dr Zahra, two of the vets working at the new clinic.

The volunteer took Evie to the New Vet Clinic in Tbilisi, where Mayhew-trained vet Dato amputated the infected leg. Evie is now in foster care while she recovers and is doing well. Keep an eye on Mayhew International’s Facebook page for updates on her journey.

AL. MA

An unexpected destination for Maxi and Omar

When Mayhew Afghanistan driver Omar (above, left), went on a routine rabies vaccination run this summer, the last thing he expected was to fall in love with street dog Maxi. But that’s exactly what happened!

Omar grew up with dogs and loves animals, and he had been looking for a canine companion to complete his family. Maxi was brought into the ABC Centre a few weeks later for a check-up and is healthy and happy with his new family!

E YH W

A special event was held at our new Animal Birth Control (ABC) Centre to celebrate World Rabies Day, with dozens of children joining the Mayhew Afghanistan team to learn about rabies and dog bite prevention and see the new clinic and kennel block at the ABC Centre.

Georgia

TI O N NA

ATION

EW I

News from around the world

TER IN

YH

AL. MA

You are invited to an evening with Mayhew

Georgia

On Thursday 14 November, we’ ll be joined by ac supporter Ben tor and Mayhe Miles for a fun w and informativ Mayhew Intern e evening in aid ational’s work in of Georgia. If you’ more about th d like to find ou is fascinating co t untr y and how helping to mak Mayhew is e a real differen ce fo r communities w the street dogs ho live there, bo and ok your tickets themayhew.o now at rg/events/geor gia-evening.

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In their shoes

WINTER 2019

B

ack in June, we were proud to open the first-ever Animal Birth Control (ABC) Centre in Kabul. Created in conjunction with various Afghan authorities, the centre will help humanely address the number of free-roaming dogs on Kabul’s streets as we start a neutering programme that runs in parallel with our successful vaccination project. Dr Razia and Dr Zahra are both newly qualified vets working as vet assistants at the centre to gain experience as part of a team that will neuter up to 200 dogs a week!

YH EW I

ATION

AL. MA

India

E NT R N

A lucky break for Agni

You are both newly qualified vets – congratulations! Why did you decide to pursue a career in animal welfare?

When Agni was found cowering under a car by a Helping Organisation for People, Environment (HOPE) & Animal Trust volunteer, her condition didn’t look good. She had a deep wound on her belly, which appeared to have been caused by deliberate stabbing with a sharp stick.

She was rushed to the HOPE & Animal Trust clinic in Ranchi, India, which Mayhew International helps fund, where she received emergency surgery. Agni quickly started showing signs of improvement and began enjoying playing with the staff, and after two weeks in the team’s care she was released safely to her community. Good luck, Agni!

85,000

dogs neutered in Ranchi A staggering 85,000 dogs have now been neutered in Ranchi since Mayhew’s funding of the project began. The HOPE Education team, funded by Mayhew International, has also been busy working to raise awareness about the disease in local communities, with almost 30,000 students and 1,100 teachers reached so far this year.

Dr Razia: When I graduated from veterinary university I made a promise to myself that I must work for the improvement of animal health, so I chose Mayhew as it is a good organisation.

Dr Zahra: I decided to pursue my career in animal welfare because of animal rights.

Animals don’t have rights in a country like Afghanistan that has seen so many years of war, and I decided to help animals to have the life that they deserve.

Become a Friend of Mayhew International

You can now become an official Friend of Mayhew International with our revamped international membership package. For £20 a year, you will receive an exclusive Mayhew International pin badge, membership card and card holder, as well as a regular e-newsletter with updates on our international work and a special Mayhew International syringe-shaped pen.

Friends of Mayhew International ensure we can continue our vital work with governments, local communities and charitable groups to help improve animal welfare overseas.

Visit themayhew.org/donate/friend-of-Mayhew to join us and receive your special pack.

24 I

Z: I heard about Mayhew on their website and through a training session with Dr Jalil [Dr Abdul Jalil Mohammadzai, Mayhew Afghanistan’s Country Director] three years ago. I wanted to work for them because Mayhew gives me the opportunity to help both animals and humans at the same time.

It is still unusual to find women working as vets in Afghanistan?

Did you face any difficulties in your journeys to becoming qualified?

R: Yes, there are many problems facing women in our society. For example, people think being a veterinarian isn’t a good career for a girl, and during my student period I had to stand and fight people’s ideas about that.

Z: Of course! Unfortunately, women face lots of problems in Afghanistan, especially in a field like veterinary care. It’s unusual here when a woman wants to work, but I have already learned how to have strength about this problem because I love my job.

Why did you want to work for Mayhew International?

R: I heard about Mayhew from social media and my friends and wanted to get involved because Mayhew is a very good and professional organisation that works for animal health and animal welfare.

Dr Zahra

Z: I’m interested in every job that we need to do for our organisation because it’s all so necessary!

Dr Razia

What does your role involve, and what is your favourite part?

R: I work in the ABC Centre and my routine work is preparing the pre-med and drugs for surgery and monitoring the anaesthesia during the procedure. My favourite part of my job is when the dogs recover from surgery! I always check them and, if possible, pet them.

What difference do you think the ABC Centre is going to make to dogs and people in Kabul?

R: The people of Kabul will be happy and hopeful about our job and mission because the population of dogs will get under control.

Z: The big difference that will happen between dogs and people in Kabul is that both will have a healthier and safer life, with people less afraid of dogs as they will know they are healthy.

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WINTER SUMMER 2019 2019

PE

GE

EFU R T

ELAYNE AND KILO

Elayne adopted nine-year-old Kilo over eight years ago, but unfortunately has since suffered a series of significant health problems, including two separate cancer diagnoses, which have required major surgery and continuous treatment.

Her physical pain and lack of mobility have also caused Elayne’s mental health to deteriorate, leaving her depressed and, at times, suicidal.

Kilo

Throughout all of this, Kilo has been her rock and reason for living – Elayne has very few family or friends that live near, and so relies on Kilo as her sole source of comfort and kinship. Without Mayhew, Elayne fears she would have had to give Kilo up, which she says would have taken her to “a very dark place indeed”.

Luckily, Kilo has been able to come to Mayhew as part of our Pet Refuge programme, meaning Elayne can receive vital medical treatment and undergo further surgery knowing that Kilo is receiving the best possible care.

This year we are celebrating 15 years of Pet Refuge, and demand for the service is as great as ever. We look after dogs and cats for short periods of time, giving them shelter and care so their owners are able to seek hospital treatment or recover from illness, for example, while knowing their animal is being looked after in a safe environment.

For people who are at risk, facing great difficulty and have no other means of support, our service is a lifeline. The people we help would often rather forgo treatment than leave their pet, and we believe it’s better to help keep loving owners and their animals together than for animals to be handed over for rehoming.

Our Pet Refuge programme gives people a chance to get back on their feet and then be reunited with their beloved pet.

Offering a helping hand

Hundreds of pet owners in need have been helped by Pet Refuge over the years, including Vanessa and Elayne.

VANESSA AND TIGER

When brindle Staffy Tiger’s owner Vanessa went into hospital earlier this year, Tiger she arranged for a friend to look after him while she was away. However, on the day Vanessa started treatment, the friend was rushed to hospital herself, leaving Tiger all alone. Vanessa soon became concerned when she couldn’t contact her friend and asked her social worker to check her house. Finding Tiger starving, severely dehydrated and distressed, Vanessa’s social worker contacted Mayhew for help. Our Animal Welfare Officers immediately took Tiger to our vet clinic for a full health check, then settled him safely into our kennels. We let Vanessa know that Tiger was with us and reassured her that we would take care of him as part of our Pet Refuge programme until she was well enough to return home.

Q&A WITH ZOE EDWARDS, HEAD OF ANIMAL WELFARE Q: Why did Mayhew start running Pet Refuge?

A: Our approach is to prevent animals from ending up in shelters, and we saw that if we helped support pet owners in need at a crisis point in their life, we could keep people and their pets together. The Pet Refuge programme has proven to be a success for both the humans and the animals we support.

Q: Are there any memories that stand out from 15 years of the programme?

A: Wully and Azzy were homeless when Wully needed to go to rehab. Luckily Mayhew was able to step in and offer him Pet Refuge, so he could get the help

he needed, knowing that someone he trusted was looking after his dog. After three months of rehab, Wully was sober and was happily reunited with Azzy.

Q: Why do you think Pet Refuge is still important today, 15 years on?

A: Unfortunately, we are seeing more people ‘at risk’ and suffering mental health issues due to economic forces.

For the people we help, their animal is their family and often their only reason for living – separating them could have a detrimental effect on both the person and their beloved animal.

Mayhew took him in, meaning that I could receive “treatment and Pompom would be looked after. He was

treated really well so it was more like a cat holiday for him!

Georgia, Pompom’s owner

“

O

ur Pet Refuge programme is part of our work with the local community, caring for the pets of people who are at a crisis point in their life and have no one else to turn to.

Georgia and her cat Pompom were helped earlier this year through our Pet Refuge programme.

“I was so relieved to hear that he ended up at Mayhew and got taken care of. I can’t thank them enough for looking after him.”

Vanessa, Tiger’s owner

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I 27

WINTER 2019

My four-legged

friend W

e always love to hear stories about our readers’ wonderful pets and in this issue of Tails we meet American supporter Phyllis, who lives in London with her husband Paul and their handsome boy Otis.

Meet Otis

Our amazing cat Otis is seven and a half years old and one of the cleverest kitties I have ever met. He will always let you know when he needs something or simply wants some extra attention. If he wants us to play with his feather toy, he will fetch it and bring it to us – he’s not subtle!

We have just celebrated the seven-year anniversary of when we adopted Otis, which we call the ‘Gotcha Day’. My husband and I are huge supporters of animal welfare groups (Mayhew is top of our list!) and were looking to rehome a cat from a shelter when the owner of our local pet supplies shop told us about a neighbour that had a young cat they could no longer look after.

So we met Otis and immediately fell in love.

Otis is not a softie, but he does have a soft side. His gums were really inflamed when we first had him. To help keep his teeth and gums healthy, he has regular dental check-ups at the vets and I brush his teeth weekly. He is such a good boy about it, he will almost go into a trance while he lies in my arms and I clean his teeth.

28 I

My pawsome life by Otis

What’s your favourite toy?

Top of my list of favourites are my little bird toy which chirps when I play with it and my feather toy on a stick which Mum and Dad whizz around. Even if I say so myself, I’m quite an agile puss and can jump up pretty high to get it!

What’s the silliest thing you’ve ever done?

I have a ‘mad’ moment every day and I love to play a game with Dad where he hides behind a door and I jump up to get him.

Where is your favourite place to sleep?

I have a really nice comfy bed, but I think my favourite place is on the sofa where I can curl up,

and in the morning I like to have a cuddle with my Dad in bed!

Who is your best buddy?

I love my Mum and Dad equally, but I think my Dad is my best buddy – he’s pretty cool

What is your favourite food?

I’m not too picky, but I get excited when it’s ‘wet food night’ as I know it’s a treat and I love the different flavours. I love turkey especially!

Would you like your four-legged friend to appear in Tails? Email us at tails@ mayhewanimalhome.org and tell us about your pet to be in with the chance of being included. Each pet and owner featured will receive a Mayhew goody bag.

All aboard!

C

ats and water are not normally considered a good match, so you may be surprised to hear that a few Mayhew moggies have found their new homes not on land, but on canal boats! Cat Adoption Officer Matt Pearson tells us some surprising tales of boat-loving cats.

Although cats may not be the first animal that comes to mind when you think of a four-legged water baby, they actually have a rich history of thriving on boats. They were initially used as chief mouse-catchers, accompanying intrepid sailors on long voyages across the seven seas, and they have also had another important, albeit more social, role boosting morale on naval ships during wartime.

This little-known heritage is continued today around Britain’s canal network, whose users often travel with cats as beloved companions. We have had great success in rehoming several Mayhew cats in boating communities over the years, pairing them with adopters who live on both static and cruising boats across London’s river system.

The first thing we consider is whether this type of accommodation is right for the cat, so we speak to adopters about only those cats who we think will flourish aboard a floating abode.

Ripley came to Mayhew as a stray and we rehomed her at the end of last year. She was very friendly and confident, both traits you would look for in a boat cat. She was also really calm and seemed to be quite a curious soul, so when prospective adopter Cordelia came in looking for a cat to live with her on her boat, they seemed a perfect match.

After a successful home visit, Cordelia took Ripley to live with her on the canal.

Cordelia has kept us updated on Ripley’s progress and she seems to be really enjoying her new life. She is quite adventurous, hopping on and off the boat and scouring the tow path for ‘presents’ to bring home to her new mum. Cordelia tells us, “She has fallen in the water a few times but she’s a great swimmer and knows that she will dry off next to the fire. Every fall teaches her what not to do!”

A boating life is not for every cat, but for Ripley and many others adopted from Mayhew it has worked out just fine.

The amazing tale of Unsinkable Sam

‘Unsinkable Sam’ was the most famous feline mascot of the British Royal Navy.

He was originally a ship cat aboard the German battleship Bismarck, which was sunk in 1941. Tragically, only 110 out of a crew of more than 2,300 survived – 111, if you include Sam! He was picked up by the destroyer HMS Cossack, which was in turn torpedoed and sunk a few months later, with 159 of the crew losing their lives. But again Sam survived. He moved on to HMS Ark Royal, but had to be rescued once more when that boat was also torpedoed and sunk. It was decided that it was time to settle him on dry land and he became mouser-inresidence at the office of the Governor General of Gibraltar. Sam eventually returned to the UK to live out his retirement with a fellow seaman and his family until his death in 1955.

To meet our cats who are looking for a forever home, visit the adoption pages on our website at themayhew.org/rehome, or call us on 020 8962 8000.

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WINTER 2019

YOUR LETTERS

Mill Lane Veterinary Surgery

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!

Advanced medical care for your pets Proud to support Mayhew

Joshua Rusnak BVSc CertSAS MRCVS Minnie

Tallulah

Dear Lisa,

Charlie

Hi Matthew,

ate on how We wanted to give you a quick upd answer is rt sho the and Charlie is getting on, rt quickly po ly real sup in d led an sett lp He he t! r he’s doing grea Thanks for all you ily (he’s fam the of part h us. muc to very h now and is getting Tallula a very He’s ). this e snoozing next to me as I writ r and she’s t’s wha We really love having he w kno to ts wan ys is doing well with curious boy and alwa if it lly settled in brilliantly. She ecia esp g, doin ’re you t wha going on and four sessions training – we have had d! might involve giving him some foo She’s made a so far – and off the lead. led cal tried to rk wo He likes exploring and has even (doggy) best friend at my ry eve other cats er the of oth e ch introduce himself to som Dakota. They greet ea t! cessfully ee suc sw y that ver not – is od ich urho in the neighbo day with kisses, wh is outside sitting our lives well and though! His favourite spot She’s really slotted into d, so he can on the table or on top of the she ! we couldn’t be happier survey his domain. and Lula Best regards, Will, Lucy are looking We’re really happy to have him and time to long a for us with g bein him forward to come.

Best wishes, Tom

Hi Lisa!

Minnie first came to our attention in January and, unaware of her celebrity status [Minnie met Mayhew Patron HRH The Duchess of Sussex on her first official visit], we both immediately felt she was the perfect dog to share our life in rural West Wiltshire.

Minnie settled into our home and has made friends with the locals, both canine and human. Her best friend is Meatball, my daughter’s dog. Minnie is a calm and sociable dog and a joy to have around. On walks she is very much a curious Jack Russell, always up for the chase!

She has been recognised a few times as ‘that dog’, once on London’s tube by a group of tourists who all wanted selfies. Minnie took this in her stride and seemed to enjoy the attention!

Regards, Deirdre and Malcolm

Hi Matthew,

It’s been a few months now since scaredy cat Tabitha came home with me and although she isn’t a lap cat, she is warming to the idea!

She is not happy with strangers in the house, but she is super playful and has made friends with the cat sitter and is enjoying the nightly treats routine (!).

She found the end-of-summer heat a little challenging, and we are still working on being picked up without having a big old hissy fit – she is fine once she has been picked up, it seems to be more the thought of being picked up that scares her!

Tabitha 30 I

Hope all is well at the Mayhew.

Cheers, Biddy

To share your updates with us, please get in touch by writing to Mayhew, Trenmar Gardens, Kensal Green, London, NW10 6BJ, or email tails@mayhewanimalhome.org.

68-70 Mill Lane London NW6 1NJ www.mill-lane-vet.com 020 7794 1777

We love our pets and want them to have happy, healthy lives. Today we give 10% of our profits to support charities that help reach the pets we can't.

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New clinic now open: Alymer Parade Vet 17 Aylmer Parade London N2 0PH

Carols at Join us for a carol service in support of Mayhew, with mulled wine and special guests.

St Giles-in-the-Fields, London WC2 Tuesday 3 December 7pm – 9pm Tickets: £20 Concessions: £10

Book your tickets at www.themayhew.org/carols

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