| WHEN DO WE HELP? |
| Abandoned Animals |
This includes a multitude of sins - puppies and kittens are dumped in dustbins, 'phone boxes and even rivers or canals; dogs are left tied to lamp posts or outside shops; cats are tipped out onto the street when babies are born; animals are thrown from windows or down rubbish chutes; they may be left with the vet when the bill is too high and the vet contacts us to help. Sometimes they are thrown from cars, even on the motorway. Worst of all people may move house leaving the animals in the house without food or water.
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| Cruelty Cases |
There is an obvious overlap with abandoned cases here, but also underfeeding, beating and general neglect occur. Animals are left without proper veterinary care for illness or injury. An owner should be acutely aware of their pet's condition in order to detect illness at an early stage. If this is not done, great suffering may be caused. Sometimes dogs are chained in yards without adequate shelter or without food or water. They may be left on exposed balconies of flats which leads to suffering through hot or cold weather.
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| Unwanted Pets |
Although Christmas is the season of goodwill it only extends to all men and not their pets! The biggest number are discarded around Christmas. However, the practice of getting rid of pets to make way for a new baby; because they are too expensive or simply because the novelty has worn off goes on all year round. The fluffy kitten or cute puppy grows up and loses its appeal or damages the house and out it goes. People need to think whether they can really afford a pet before getting one.
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| Strays |
Dogs are catered for by the Manchester Dogs Home for Lost Dogs, the Police and the Dog Warden, so if we are called to a healthy stray dog it goes through these channels. Cats do not have the same law governing them and there is no specific place for them to go. We are mainly asked to deal with sick, injured or long term stray cats. Firstly the vet decides on their state of health - only on the vet's advice is an animal put to sleep. This occurs when it is beyond help or, if suffering from a virulent infection, to avoid cross infection of healthy animals. When the animal is nursed back to health it will be neutered so that no further offspring may become a problem. It is then made available for re-homing. Homes are found through vets, other societies and by adverts in the local newspapers. The sanctuary is open between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm seven days a week and this brings in 'passing trade'. All new homes are checked and new owners sign an adoption form before taking an animal.
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| Neutering |
The best way to prevent unwanted pets is not to allow them in the first place. To this end, A.I.D. neuters all domesticated animals in their care. It can be done from 8 weeks old so even puppies and kittens are done before re-homing. We also provide a service of cut-price neutering for those who cannot pay the full price. To make the necessary arrangements you just need to telephone Animals in Distress. We neuter owned pets from 5 months, so if you save up from getting a young pet you should have enough to pay for the operation by the time it is old enough.
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Further information on neutering can be obtained from A.I.D. or from your local Veterinary Surgery.
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