Cork Animal Care Society Newsletter December 2008
Contact Us
50 Cois Tobair
Dromahane
Co. Cork
+353 (0)21 455 1781
The Cork Animal Care Society
Their Lives ... Our Passion

In This Issue
12 Puppy days to Christmas
 
On the eleventh day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Eleven unwrapped presents
Ten Christmas cards I shoulda mailed
My wreath in nine pieces
Eight tiny reindeer fragments
Seven scraps of wrapping paper
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.

On the twelfth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
A dozen puppy kisses
And I forgot all about the other

eleven days.
Elise Lewis 1997
Useful Links

The Pet Centre has a great checklist to help decide whether an animal companion is for you

Christmas plants toxic to pets

ANVIL Ireland - Animals Need a Voice In Legislation

Irish Animals: A great Irish animals resource with loads of useful links

Just for fun - icanhascheezburger

Merry Christmas from us all

2008 - A Year to be Proud Of!
ACS at the Cork Marathon 2008

As we review the achievements of 2008 we can truly say - it's been a hugely successful year for the ACS!

We've rescued so many animals from appalling conditions - and, in turn, they've inspired us: we saw Princess, the paralyzed cat who gave birth and reared four kittens; Harry the Staffy, who was the most neglected dog that we had ever seen; and not forgetting Amy, found wandering in Cork City, no more than a bag of bones. Thanks to our fosterers and those who spent many a sleepless night nursing a sick animal, all have recovered and found fantastic forever-homes. And that's only a teeny tiny fraction of our successes!!

Our Trap, Neuter, Release programme has gone from strength to strength, aiming for self-funding in Cork by early 2009 - a humungous step towards reducing the overpopulation problem that contributes to the neglect and suffering we're so familiar with.

This year, as ever, our fundraising volunteers' and supporters' efforts truly enabled us to push the boundaries in animal welfare. We've acquired distinctions in Bag Packing Techniques; we've built Biceps of Iron, bucket shaking at street collections; we've raced Marathons, climbed Mountains and had a few laughs and met some kindred spirits along the way. Because of all your effort, heart and compassion, 2008 has been the year where our dreams for an all-animal sanctuary can start to become a reality. Because of you, animals (and humans) can look at a bright, optimistic future for animal welfare in Cork. As the saying goes - Big Thanks to everybody! Words cannot begin to show our appreciation. But the eyes of the stars in our Success Stories say it all.

Both you and the ACS have been responsible for making it all happen. And we'll continue to do so, together, in the coming year. From all of us in the ACS, and especially from Saffron and Liquorice (pictured below) - Thank you all!

Thanks from the animals!
ACS Calendar 2009 JanuaryACS 2009 Calendar Now Available!

The ACS 2009 Calendar will be out next week, not a moment too soon for New Year gift giving. Just like last year, it's complete with heartwarming images and heart-breaking stories of animals found and rescued by the ACS. All happy endings, they represent a fraction of the animals saved in 2008.

We have only 500 copies for sale, so hurry and pre-order NOW - they will be flying out the door. They're available from Cork outlets and from our website. All proceeds will go towards our vets bills.

Thanks to Omah Printing, Albert our Chairman, and Katie our graphic designer miracles happened!!!!

ACS Street Collection Nov 08An Animal Friendly Christmas
You'll all be well aware that we choose a companion animal for life, not just for Christmas (or they choose us!). In fact, most of you probably have at least one animal companion.

This festive season be sure they share the festivities safely and happily. You know chocolate is toxic for dogs and cats. Did you know that the Christmas plants holly, mistletoe, poinsettia and amaryllis can make animals seriously ill too? We've highlighted some of the things you need to know to make the festivities safe for your animal friends.

This time of year, and indeed all year round, give them all the love and care they deserve. They'll give it right back atcha.
ACS Education Programme 2009/2010
Mr James, Finger Puppet for Animal FriendsThere's no question that education is a key factor in improving the animal welfare situation in our country. To meet the challenge we've a new, inspiring symbol of animal care Mr James the Finger Puppet, and he'll be touring schools all over Cork City and County throughout the new year. He'll be educating students on responsible pet ownership, interaction with animals and caring for them. And, alongside our educators, he'll be answering all the kids' questions and increasing their awareness of what the ACS does and why we need to do it. Ultimately, such education will reduce (and maybe even eliminate!) the need for the existence of organisations like the ACS.

We earnestly believe people can learn the importance of caring for our animal companions; can understand that animals are not a disposable commodity - not 'Just for Christmas'. If you are a teacher, a principal or a student and would like your school to be part of this thought-provoking educational programme, please contact Terry Lane on 087 926 3190 or email her. And you can order your own Mr James through our Animal Care Week promotion.

Education is the long-term foundation for promoting animal welfare. By conducting a successful education programme we are actively working to eliminate animal cruelty in the future, while minimising it today.
Banjo's Playing in the UK!
Another rescue kitten happily homed! Victoria Elliott and James Wicks of Stroud, Glos, UK adopted Banjo (now Lilly) earlier this year and sent us pictures of her enjoying her new life.

Banjo had come to us at five weeks of age with bad burns (down to the boneBanjo Rehomed in her hind leg) we assumed from contact with a car engine. She'd never known kindness and was a raggedy, terrified ball of furr and fury. Six months later she was a sleek, adorable puss, ready to emigrate.

"You do an excellent job and I am so grateful that you saved Banjo. We promise you that she will have the best life ever!" said Victoria.

Personally, we are so very grateful Victoria took Banjo in.

Fundraising News & Events

Join Us For Carol Singing!Support the ACS with a Song
If all this talk of festivities and hope for the future has gotten you in the mood to sing and have some fun ... then we're providing a perfect outlet!!

The ACS will be Christmas Carol Singing throughout the coming weeks - with a 'strict dress code' of Santa Hats and Bells!!! All comers welcome - and do come for fun, never mind your singing talents!!!!!

Confirmed dates and times are:
              Sat 13th & Sun 14th Dec, 2.00pm - 6.00pm
Times for the following week are to be confirmed, so do contact Terry, or check the website, if you'd like to take part.

You'll find us outside Merchants Quay Shopping Centre on Patricks Street, Cork. And please feel free to bring your pooch - they're the reason we'll be out! (Make to sure to dress them warm in their santa coats though!)
ACS Street Collection - Tue 25th Nov
ACS Street Collection Nov 08
It's Official!!!! The Cork Animal Care Society have the best volunteers that any charity could ask for! Because of the turn out and support, our Street Collection on Tuesday 25th November was very successful! Nearly seventy volunteers turned up on the day - too many to thank individually, but you know who you are. Thanks especially go to St John's College who sent us loads of volunteers!
Animal Care Week

Animal Care Week

Our Animal Care Week campaign has been generating a great deal of interest.

Find out more here.
Fundraising in 2009
We'll be taking a much-needed break from fundraising events during January (apart from our ongoing planning and grant applications). We'll update you in the next enewsletter about our plans for February.

For more information on our fundraising activities please email Terry or phone her on 087 926 3190; see our fundraising page, or log on to the ACS page on mycharity.ie.

Thanks again for all your help this year!!

And Finally ...

In Memoriam: Baby LokiIn Memoriam: Baby Loki
Not all the animals we rescue live to be rehomed. Some fight valiantly for life, others simply fade away.

Baby Loki was the youngest in a litter of four tinies, and the tiniest kitten of all. Sharing the tabby markings common in the group he had a distinctively attractive smattering of ginger. He shared his sisters' gently affectionate nature. With his wide eyes and unfailing attention he pulled everyone's heartstrings.

But he didn't thrive. While the other kittens were going from strength to strength, growing in size and boldness, little Loki remained tiny, placid and insubstantial; a small bundle of beautiful, tender skin and bones and fur. No sniffles, no obvious illness, just a slow fading away. There was nothing we could do for him and Loki died on Friday 11th July 2008.

Like all kittens, Loki was special. Like all the kittens we've been unable to save, he is sorely missed and remembered with great affection.

While we celebrate our successes this Christmas, let's also remember the animals we rescued but couldn't save, by telling their stories; let's give a moment for the all the animals who were never rescued. And let's hope, sooner rather than later, humanity can learn to be humane - can learn to care for and respect all the living things who share this amazing miracle of a planet with us.
Ruby!!! STOP PRESS !!!

This is Ruby. She's an eight-week-old collie cross, and has just joined us at the ACS as I write. She was abandoned in a house on North Cathedral Road, locked up in a bedroom cupboard with her two sisters. Out of the three puppies Ruby is the only survivor. She was rescued when a kind passerby heard her pitiful cries and decided to investigate. Sadly, it was too late for her siblings. Thanks to her rescuers, and the ACS, Ruby will find an amazing home where she will be loved for ever and ever!
Seasons Greetings!Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year to You All!!!

Thank you all, once again, for the fantastic support you've given us this year. All of us at the Cork Animal Care Society wish you a safe, fulfilling, animal-friendly festive season. And we send you all our very best wishes for the coming year.

Thanks!!

Cork Animal Care Society would like to thank everyone who has supported our cause in the past. However, we need your continued support to help us improve animal welfare practices in Cork City, County and nationwide! The key to making this happen is a regular source of income. PLEASE help us in one of the following ways:

Bank of Ireland, Wilton, Cork.
Account Name: Animal Care Society Deposit Account
Account No.: 22060688
Sort Code: 90-28-05


Your support saves lives. Be part of something positive.!

Contact us today and find out ways in which you can help us end the needless suffering.

Thank You!
 
 
Cork Animal Care Society Team
Their Lives ... Our Passion