By Ali Wilkins: Many cats and dogs are facing a winter of neglect this year as Christmas, the cold weather and poor economic conditions add to the existing financial pressure on households. Each year, hundreds of the worst cases arrive at Bath Cats and Dogs Home. Often their health problems have spiralled out of control, and they need emergency vet care and even major surgery on arrival.
Help is on hand this week (3-10 December), as The Big Give Christmas Challenge doubles all donations to the charity. All donations will be 100% matched via Help Fund Critical Care for Cats and Dogs this Winter
Julie Stone, Head of Animal Operations at Bath Cats and Dogs Home said: “Lots of people are struggling right now. Let’s face it, times are tough. And sadly, when it comes to the crunch, pets don’t have a voice, and they can end up suffering the most.”
“Thankfully, we’re here to pick up the pieces, but we always need help. There’s always more we can do.”
“If you’d like to help these local cats and dogs, then this is the week to do it. The Big Give will double your donation. And that medical care is the best Christmas present you could give.”
Michaela Taylor, Head Vet at Bath Cats and Dogs Home said: “Every year we have to perform over 300 operations on abandoned, neglected or mistreated animals brought into our vet suite.”
“Often the severity of these animals’ injuries or medical conditions means the veterinary team has to act fast to relieve pain and suffering and turn the animals’ lives around.”
“The Big Give Christmas Challenge will enable the charity to give critical veterinary care to more dogs and cats this winter when they need it most, so please support us if you can.”
Earlier this year, five tiny Dobermann puppies arrived at Bath Cats and Dogs Home. They were underweight and lethargic, their intestines were full of worms, and their skin was sensitive with patches of alopecia.
Michaela’s vet team was on hand and acted immediately. They diagnosed the pups with hypoglycaemia and undertook careful treatment to stabilise their health. Under their care, the pups recovered, and adopters have since given them new homes. Sadly, cases like these Dobermann puppies are common, and not all end so well.
As well as rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming cats and dogs in their centre, Bath Cats and Dogs Home provides support to pets and their owners in the local community. Their four outreach projects aim to keep pets and their owners together and include the Together Project which runs vet clinics for the pets of people who are homeless, pet food donations to local food banks, a low-cost neutering service and an Emergency Veterinary Assistance Fund.
Donations during The Big Give Christmas Challenge (3-10 December) at Help Fund Critical Care for Cats and Dogs this Winter will be doubled by Big Give match funders and will help provide care for animals brought into Bath Cats and Dogs Home, and for pets in need in the community.