EARLY NEUTERING, What's the Real Story?

In our previous newsletter we devoted an article to the subject of early neutering. We received several reactions from our readers on our article. In essense, they boil down to the fact that our readers vets will not do it since they aren't comfortable with the operation and feel that they do not posses the required surgical skills.

Sadly, as usual, we are behind the times here in Ireland. In the UK there is a register kept where vets can indicate that they are comfortable in doing the operation when the animal reaches a 1KG weight and that means that they ( the vets ) also feel comfortable with the anesthesia requirements on such a small animal.

At a recently held major animal welfare conference in Dublin our ACS Chairman brought this subject up and asked the chairman of Veterinary Ireland to support the introduction of such a register for Irish Vets. Time will tell if this will be done but it certainly would be a good start.

If you missed last months newsletter  here is an excerpt of what it contained:

"There is no evidence to show that neutering earlier than six months (and as early as seven weeks) has negative developmental or behavioural consequenses.  The perceived increased risks of surgery/anaesthesia are now considerably reduced by published information on improved techniques and agents."

Read their comprehensive article here.

If we said it once, we have said it a thousand times. Neurtering companion animals must be made compulsory. That, and only that, will put a stop to the dreadful suffering the animals go thru, due to endless breeding. Where this has been done, for instance in areas in New Zealand, a dramatic reduction has been noted. But that requires political will and that commodity is in very very short supply in our Government. Suffering of animals is paid lipservice to and that's as far as it goes. After all they, our elected politicians, do not have to deal with stream of unwanted animals and they do not have to face the needle going into a vein of yet another animal on death row.

PLEASE HELP US. RAISE YOUR VOICE AND HELP US GET PROPER ANIMAL WELFARE LEGISLATION AND HELP ERASE THE IRISH SHAME OF A ONE CENTURY OLD USELESS ACT.

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    Call to Arms. Replace the 1911 ACT !

Make a stand if you dare and care !

Further to our editorial above. Here are the details of what is planned by ARAN. A major rally in Dublin later this year.

MARK YOUR DIARY NOW AND JOIN MANY HUNDREDS OF COMPASSIONATE ANIMAL LOVERS FOR WHAT'S GOING TO BE ONE OF THE BEST DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR SPEAKING OUT AGAINST ANIMAL ABUSE.

When: Sunday, October 30th, 2pm sharp - (will be wrapped up by 5pm)

Where: Garden of Remembrance, O'Connell Street, Dublin. 

The present Bill will this year be 100 years old, it's now time for more modern laws that will make life harder for those who get sick kicks from abusing animals, but also time for laws to stamp out fur farming and much more, we've got one last chance to get fur farming in Ireland banned in 2012 and if this opportunity slips, then it may not happen for a very long time to come.

Be sure to bring your rescued dogs, children, co-workers, friends etc. - make sure everyone on FACEBOOK knows about this big event to raise awareness of Ireland's obsolete animal welfare law and the need to bring in proper modern legislation. Although ARAN will be providing banners and placards, feel free to make a sign, poster or banner for an issue that you might feel closest too or strongest about.

Read our article opposite on why this is so very much needed.  Not convinced yet?  just click here and read the document presented.

Now do you believe us ? See you there?

UPDATE ON "SWEETIE PIE"
 

       Sweetie at Home, at last !

We believe this elderly cat was dumped a long time ago and was one of group of homeless cats which one of our volunteers is caring for. But, there is more to the story. She was in an awful state, suffering from chronic upper respitory infection (herpes) and her oil soaked coat was in an absolutely  shocking state, caused probably by sleeping on the oil covered engine of an old tractor to get a tiny  bit of heat in the freezing weather we had. On top of that, her ears had turned cancerous, as is very common in white cats and to top it all of, she is deaf, very very common in white cats.

After 5 weeks at the cat hospital where vet Clare Meade, read more about her , did all that she could to get her back to health we are happy to report she now has her forever home at the sanctuary. See her photo in our photo gallery below. Read our previous newsletter for her full story.

Wildlife info and First Aid. 

Now, here is something you might wish to bookmark. There are a lot of websites and folks who devote all their considerable energies and time to helping our companion animals, of whatever kind or type. 

But... what about all the others who we share our planet with ? The birds (and the bees), the foxes, the badgers, the otters and the fish in the sea  to name but a few.

Do you know what to do if you see, or find, an injured animal? Most vets do not have the specialised knowledge at hand to know the right treatment and you probably might not know it either.

Well, this website, is a real goldmine of info. It has three sections:

Section one is aimed at the person who finds the casualty.

Section two is for the rehabilitator who takes responsibility for the long term care of the animal.

Section three is a veterinary section advising on common conditions, drugs ad dosages, etc.

We urge all our readers to visit and take a note of this website address, by doing so, YOU might have saved a life, or have contributed to doing so.

Please Remember, our own lives would be so much poorer if we did not have all those other creatures around us.

Here is the website.

DID YOU LOSE A BALL?

Look no further, I found it !

Out of the blue we got an email from a lovely woman in Waterford, Anne is her name. Here it goes:

"Hi Animal Care Society, my dog Roxy continues to find lots of balls in his walks and brings them back to me, they look like Hurling Balls. I've so many now that I wonder if you would like a few for your dogs." Well, that wonderful offer did not fall on deaf ears and an email went straight back to Anne saying: YES YES YES PLEASE, we'd love some.

And so it was that the postman arrived at our door, thinking we had set up an animal hurling team as the box was full of them.

Anne, thank you, as you can see, they are being put to good use and we are most grateful to you. The postman thinks we are wonderful and have our own team of Hurling dogs. We smile and say nothing but all the Dogs said: Thank you Anne. Way to go !

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 Montfort needs a home with TLC.
 

This handsome lovely cat, about 8 years old needs a special caring home. Her eldery owner had to move into a care home and could not take her. She is neutered (of course) vacinated and is a dote as they say. Can you help her ?

Please contact us and say that you are enquiring about Montfort.

Thelma and Louise say Hello.

 Kittens, Kittens and more Kittens. If you have been thinking of bringing a small life into your home and heart, why not contact us now. We have several lovely kittens waiting for that special home.