Hi Barbara,

We adopted Penny aback a few months ago and I would like to say thanks very much. We have all grown very attached to her. She is such a beautiful girl and her manner is fantastic. I attach a few photos I have just taken of her. She has been playing all day and is in her bed wrecked at the moment.

Thanks again. Penny has brought a lot to our family as her constant good mood is contagious.

Rachel.

We love hearing how our adopted animals are doing. Please keep the updates coming.

We would like to acknowledge the help of Marie Duggan and her family who fostered Penny before she went to her permanent home with Rachel.

If you can offer a dog a new home, please consider adopting from Waterford SPCA. We frequently feature pets for re-homing in Waterford Today and occasionally other newspapers and our dogs can be seen on the ISPCA website www.ispca.ie.

Home visits are done prior to adoption and we make every effort to match owners and dogs.

We look for homes which are safe and secure and owners who have the time and commitment to give their pets a good quality of life.

Being pack animals, dogs need compayn either human or animal for a good part of the day.

Our animals have not had the best start in life - we aim to make sure they go to good home the second time around.

Recently, we took in a dog whose experience of life so far had made her terrified of people. Our knowledge of her history was limited but it wasn’t difficult to fill in the blanks. We called her Kim.

We fed her, walked her, vaccinated and wormed her gave her a comfortable bed but it became clear that she was not making progress. Kim needed extra help.

It’s difficult enough to place “normal” dogs but what future was there for a creature so damaged?

Kim’s immediate need was for a foster owner who was patient and compassionate who would give her time and support but also space and above all, not expect payback any time soon in terms of affection or play or other things we expect from pets.

Thankfully, Terry Pooley who already has a rescue dog from us responded and became her foster owner.

Since then, Kim has found a new permanent home with a special family. She is making progress slowly.

With the coming of Spring, the increase in temperature and light kicks off the breeding season. It is frustrating and depressing to see so many unwanted kittens.

Each summer we are overwhelmed and while we do our best there is massive oversupply of kittens and a shortage of homes.

Once again we appeal to our meembers to spread the word about the sense of neutering. Here are just some of the arguments fro neutering cats.:

ONE un-neutered female can be resposible for 20,000 descendents in just 5 years.

Cats can become sexually active from just 4 months.

The length of pregnanc in cats is just 9 weeks and a female cat can come into season again just 6 weeks after giving birth.

A cat can have 3 litters a year - that adds up to approx 18 kittens for owners to find good homes for.

Waterford SPCA runs a neutering scheme wherby we subsidise the cost of neutering for owners who hold medical cards. We have a monthly quota and budget which is filled on a first come, first served basis.

Feb 24 - Complaint re. cattle in _____ nothing to eat, field complete mud.

Action - Visted site, approx 25 cattle in medium condition. Hay available. Informed Distrect Vet. Officer

Mar 8 - Attended Horse Sales at Waterford Mart

Mar 12 - Complaint re. horses, very little grass and concerned have no water

Action - Found horses to be in very good condition, rugged and well cared for.

Mar 19 - injured hedgehog at factory.

Hedgehogs legs were caught in twine. Disentangled it, no injury so released animal back to wild.

Mar 24 - Complaint about 4/5 dogs in filthy conditions.

Action - Called but nobody in Observed dogs from neighbours - no evidence of shelter, food or water. Young dog thin. Will need to make repeat visit here.

Mar 25 - School visit - spoke to 6 classes on animal welfare issues.

Mar 29 - Complaint re. injured horse abandoned on ____ land.

Action - found injured horse badly emaciated with serious injury to leg. Vet called. Horse put down on vet.’s advice on humane grounds.

A number of our members have taken up the challenge of running for Waterford SPCA in Flora Womens Mini Marathon in Dublin on Bank Holiday Monday 1st June.

We will provide you with a card and a t-shirt to wear on the day - contact Barbara at our office 841432.

Please remember all participants must enter on the official entry form which can be accessed on www.florawomensminimarathon.ie

The Mini Marathon is really a fun day out and accommodates people of all fitness levels - some people stroll and are just happy enjoying the experience and to finish, some set higher challenges for themselves - it’s up to you.

By supporting Waterford SPCA, you will be making a difference to so many animals that need our help and funds you raise will help towards rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing of animals that have been taken into our care.

Eater leaves a legacy of left over chocolate and Easter eggs in some houses - yes, believe it or not some people don’t manage to consume it all on Easter Sunday!

Please remember not to make your dog sick on chocolate.

Chocolate is toxic to dogs - and other pets - and in large quantities can be fatal.

Instead, spoil your dog with a long walk and tasty treats that are good for them.

Cosmetic Testing - EU Ban

On 11 March, it became illegal to test cosmetics ingredients in the EU. A ban on testing finished products was already in place.

The public have long stated their disgust that animals have been made to suffer for such trivial purposes.

Companies will now have to develop and use tests not involving animals or simply stick to using the thousands of established ingredients already available.

Tail docking in dogs is illegal in U.K. and it is illegal to show dogs whose tails were docked after the ban date.

Here in Waterford SPCA we regularly see the results of botched DIY tail docking.

There is growing support amongst vets for the banning of tail docking in Ireland. The following are extracts from a paper adopted by Veterinary Ireland National Council2008.

What breeds are docked and at what age? Dogs such as Spaniels, Poodles, Terriers and many other breeds have traditionally had their tails removed or shortened at 3 - 5 days.

Why is it done? Most dogs are docked for cosmetic reasons. Some working dogs are docked to ostensibly prevent possible future injuries when working.

How is tail docking done? Usually, a knife is used to cut the tail at a point that is considered “acceptable” by the breeder. A Stanley knife is often used or a type of pliers. Less commonly, a rubber band is applied around the tail cutting off the blood supply.

Does it hurt? The reactions of the pup to the procedure (whimpering, squealing, wriggling) indicates quite clearly that the procedure is painful.

With Ireland now in recession, we’re all tightening our belts. What impact is the credit crunch having on our ability to look after our pets?

Want to get fit? If you are a member of a gym, consider cancelling your membership and taking your dog for extra walks so you can get fit together. Always consult your vet before changing your pet’s exercise regime.

Make sure your pet is neutered. Not alone will it be healthier and less likely to stray, you won’t have extra mouths to feed. The cost involved in rearing a litter of pups or kittens is considerable

Investigate switching to dry food. This can be more cost effective than wet food, especially if you are throwing half eaten tins away. Always introduce a new food gradually and make sure plenty of water is available.

Don’t bother buying your pet novelties. The best present you can give them is your time and your kitten doesn’t care if it’s ball is scrunched up paper or costs 5 euro.

Keep your pets healthy. Make sure their vaccinations are up to date - letting them lapse is false - and dangerous - economy.

A BIG THANK YOU to John and Teresa Campion, Ferrybank who helped out by offering to foster a lovely but energetic puppy we had recently. They stepped in at very short notice and said “yes we can”. Thanks for your support.

If you have not already done so, please send your 2009 membership subscription.

A lot of good work is being done but it’s continuation depends on you, our members.

Please help in whatever way you can