After a week out and about meeting and greeting some new faces, I am back in the office. And what a week it was. On Thursday, I had a wonderful time at Gonsal Farm in Shropshire. I caught up with our horse rehoming officer and we came up with some new and exciting plans (watch this space!).
The equine facilities at the centre are amazing – lovely stables, plenty of outside space to train and rehabilitate the horses and, most importantly of all, staff who really are dedicated to the welfare of the animals in their care.
I managed to spend some time with the centre’s current residents. One particular favourite was a one-year Gelent who first came to the centre last May when he was only a matter of hours old. Staff think he was deserted by other horses. He was hand-reared at the centre and despite growing into a lovely young pony, he’s still waiting for a new home. I had heard about Gelent’s story within my first few weeks at the RSPCA press office so I was sad to hear that he is still without a forever home. But hopefully, his new owners are just around the corner.
It’s no secret that I am a huge cat lover so I just had to pay a visit to Gonsal’s cattery.
It was packed with gorgeous cats waiting for loving new homes while playing in their lovely indoor and outdoor runs. One particular kitten caught my eye – he was around 7 months old and had come into RSPCA care through a cruelty case. The poor little mite had been kicked so hard that his back right leg was severely damaged and needed amputating. In addition, he had been born with six toes on each paw. Despite suffering such abuse at a young age, this little black kitten was surprisingly fond of people and spend a good while happily sitting in my arms. If it wasn’t for Maverick (the RSPCA rescue cat currently residing at my house) then I would have taken him home. I hope someone else falls for him just like I did and finds a place in their home for him.
I feel immensely proud to be part of the RSPCA and whenever I visit a centre, I find it really emotional to see all the animals that have come into our care because they have been neglected or abused. There’s never any excuse to treat an animal with anything other than kindness and compassion and it saddens me that so many people do not hold that belief. But, the RSPCA is working hard to drive the rates of cruelty down and make sure people who do abuse animals are suitably punished and making sure that they never own animals again. We can only hope that through education and awareness, all animals will be treated with the respect that they deserve.
If you would like to rehome an animal from Gonsal Farm, call 0300 123 0753 or email GonsalFarm@rspca.org.uk
working at a vet clinic is hard, we get strays all the time. I have be come the "home finder" for most pets. luckily I have found home for over 15 pets. I will always refer people to adopt.
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