Latest news with #animalcharity
BBC News
11 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Kittens found in taped-up box in Gateshead woods 'need their mum'
It would "be a miracle" if four kittens found in a taped-up box in woodland survive without their mother, a charity has owner of the cat and the abandoned kittens, which were found by a dog walker in Beacon Lough, Gateshead, on Wednesday, has been urged to come was found dead while the other three were badly injured, with bite marks and puncture in the care of Pawz for Thought, the charity said it believed the animals were no more than a day old when they were left and wanted them to be reunited with their mum to better their chances of survival. Lorraine Thornton, a volunteer for the charity, said she did not believe the kittens were ever meant to be found."Without mum they just die very quickly, but I don't understand the point of leaving them in the middle of the woods, in the middle of nowhere," Ms Thornton said."They weren't meant to be found, they were disregarded like rubbish and dumped." Ms Thornton said the Sunderland-based charity had seen a significant increase in the number of kittens being currently has 23 young kittens living in her house, because they need to be bottle fed every two hours."It's an exhausting strain," she said. "For the kittens, the best thing has always been with mum, they don't have such a good chance with me."The charity put out an appeal to the person who dumped the kittens to come forward."If we could get that cat, she could raise her could neuter her and return her to the owner, neutered free of charge," Ms Thornton said."It's a miracle that somebody found them and it'll be another miracle if they actually survive the trauma that they've been through. "Obviously we always try and we always give everything we have, but it's not a guarantee." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Elvis the stowaway squirrel in Guernsey thought captured or dead
An animal charity has said it is "highly likely that something has happened" to a squirrel thought to have arrived in Guernsey via a vehicle in Byrne, manager of the Guernsey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA), said he thought it likely the animal, dubbed Elvis, had been captured or March the States of Guernsey had tried to trap the invasive non-native mammal but this week said it "couldn't justify the use of taxpayers' money to continue looking for our stowaway visitor".Mr Byrne asked anyone with any information about the squirrel to share it with the GSPCA. 'Very few predators' The States Veterinary Officers said they were "not actively seeking to catch the squirrel".The Sarnian squirrel, colloquially named Elvis, was first spotted near Bluchip in St Sampsons on 24 Byrne said there had been a number of sightings near and around Delancy Park between the areas of St Peter Port and St Sampsons until early said: "We have very few predators in Guernsey that would kill or eat a squirrel other than birds of prey, certain pets or human beings - whether accidental or intentional - which we hope hasn't happened."We continue to appeal for sightings of Elvis, but with the months of no reports it is highly likely that something has happened to the Sarnian squirrel from being captured to sadly no longer alive."
BBC News
6 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Police dog who 'gave everything' needs £14k surgery
A retired police dog commended for her bravery will need a critical spinal surgery costing £14,000 to stop her losing all mobility, an animal charity Kent Police dog Coty, who served for nearly four years, was involved in numerous operations including at the G7 summit in was also commended for catching criminals such as a domestic abuse suspect hiding in a crop five-year-old Coty, who retired in July 2024 after suffering from arthritis and two cysts on her spine, will now require major surgery to save her from being put down, the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals (NFRSA) says. 'She gave everything' PC Lisa Milligan, Coty's owner and former handler, said: "She just wants to run again."She lived for the job - always the first to leap into action, to sniff out a clue, to stand between danger and me. "She gave everything and now she can't even stand properly on her own."Coty joined Kent Police at 10 weeks old and went on to win multiple awards for obedience and tracking operations she was involved in included chasing suspects from a cannabis farm and finding a road traffic collision suspect hiding in a river. Coty's retirement came after she began to lose control of her back legs, and she had surgery to remove cysts from her the NFRSA say she needs stabilising rods placed into two areas of her charity is fundraising to pay for the surgery comes amid calls from animal charity the Thin Blue Paw for ex-police dogs to receive a pension to pay for vet Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson, patron of the NFRSA, said: "Coty's tragic story reminds us of their dedication. I hope the entire country gets behind this beautiful police dog, whose shining career has been cut so tragically short."
BBC News
12-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Cornwall monkey sanctuary site for sale amid funding struggles
A monkey sanctuary site is up for sale after a period of "financial difficulty", charity bosses have said. Wild Futures, near Looe in Cornwall, is on the market after the organisation reduced staff numbers and paused public charity, which has provided a home for rescued monkeys for more than 60 years, said it hoped to find a "sympathetic buyer" who would help them continue to operate from the site or relocate under sustainable Sarah Hanson said her "dedication to protecting primates and ending the primate pet trade was as strong as ever". "Our home may change, but our mission remains the same," Ms Hanson added. The conservation charity cares for 31 rescued monkeys and also supports projects overseas. The Cornwall facility opened in 1964 and was awarded the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries "Outstanding Sanctuary" Award last Hanson said she wanted to find a buyer who shared the charity's values, and to ensure "our sanctuary continues to serve as a safe haven for rescued monkeys". "We are doing everything we can to preserve the legacy of this sanctuary and continue our vital work - the mission of Wild Futures remains at the heart of everything we do," she added."It's important at this uncertain time to recognise the small but mighty team of colleagues and volunteers who work tirelessly to deliver the highest standards of care to primates rescued from the most brutal of conditions."
The Independent
05-06-2025
- The Independent
Stray cat saves kittens from danger before being killed on road
A stray cat has given the final gift of safety to her kittens before she was killed on a road. Four kittens are now being cared for by an animal charity in Cornwall after she saved three of them – with the fourth finding his own way to his siblings. The Tamblyn family were shocked when a stray cat wandered into their home carrying a kitten and left after depositing him on their kitchen floor. When she returned 24 hours later with another kitten, Jane Tamblyn rang Cats Protection for advice. Mrs Tamblyn, 67, from Truro, said: 'We live at the top of Chacewater Hill between treacherous crossings. 'Kerley crossing in particular is a very dangerous stretch of road these days. The mother cat was very brave, bringing the kittens over it and down a 100 yard track to us.' The team established the kittens were around five or six-weeks-old and the mother was taking them somewhere safe to wean them. Concerned there may be more kittens, centre staff agreed with Mrs Tamblyn and her husband Dave, 76, that the family would keep them for a couple of days in their sheltered barbeque area which would allow the mother easy access to the kittens and to deliver other kittens if needed. The mother did arrive with a third kitten, but tragedy struck on the day the Tamblyns were due to transport the family of cats to the charity. Mrs Tamblyn said: 'On the day we were going to bring them to the centre, the mother cat was outside the house having some food. 'She then suddenly went up the lane – maybe she was looking for the last kitten, we don't know – but later that morning my youngest son found she had been killed on the road that goes past our house. 'He rushed in and told my husband, Dave, who caringly took her off the road and buried her in the apple orchard where we've buried our other family pets. 'We all really loved that cat and we'd hoped we could have her back once the kittens were old enough.' The Tamblyns took the three orphan kittens to the centre but a few days later a crying fourth kitten arrived at their back door. 'The mother bringing them across those roads really was a miracle but we also couldn't believe how brave he must have been and that he had the instinct to survive and find us,' Mrs Tamblyn said. 'The kittens were all so lucky to be saved.' They placed the kitten in their conservatory and then rang the centre so that he could be reunited with the rest of his litter. The kittens are now all eating solid food, have received a vet check and are in good health. Now around seven-weeks-old, the two black and white male kittens have been named Badger and Squirrel, the male tabby-and-white kitten is called Rabbit and the female tortoiseshell is called Fox. Ciaran Brookes-Whyte, from the charity, said: 'How Squirrel found his way is a mystery. 'It is so deeply sad that their mother went to such lengths to get her kittens to safety only to be killed on the road. 'We feel extremely proud to be able to continue her amazing work. She had brought them up beautifully and they are all thriving.' Each of the kittens will need a period of socialisation before they can be homed.
