January 2013 WINTER NEWSLETTER No 5 Veterinary Assist Group 10th Anniversary 2003-2013 Veterinary Assist Charitable Trust No: 1104309 - TEL: 07961 952379 23 Newhouse Walk, Morden, Surrey SM4 6BS – 24 HOUR SERVICES – www.veterinaryassist.co.uk Contents 24 REHOMING!! “Matilda” We are 10 years Old! “Shira” Peckham Eight Our New Fleet Wildlife Assistance We have been busy – Rehoming!!! We have been so busy this past 6 months, not only with our normal day to day work but our rehoming too and are pleased to say that not only have we rescued at least 5 cats on “Death Row”, but found loving homes for them and others which include, Shira (see picture) who was terrorising the local cats in Ham and has now been rehomed in Wimbledon. Donate make E-mail Alexander, Charlotte and Bernadette, three cats due to be put to sleep but saved in the 11th hour. As we go to press, Alexander and Bernadette have been rehomed with just Charlotte left in our care. Matilda a little cat with a badly broken leg who now has a loving home. As well as our own website www.veterinaryassist.co.uk we also have 3 Facebook pages. 1. 2. Veterinary Assist Group Veterinary Assist Rehoming Page 3. Veterinary Assist Charitable Trust Wildlife and Stray Work Please do check these pages as we update them regularly with our latest news. CONTACT US On 07961 952379 23 Newhouse Walk Morden Surrey SM4 6BS ac.veterinaryassist@yahoo.co.uk “Matilda” Matilda was a one and half year old little tabby cat, who was hit by a car and had a badly broken leg. Unfortunately her owners couldn’t afford to have the leg fixed and requested euthanasia – we heard of this little girl’s plight and had her signed over to the charity. Launching a fundraise on Facebook, we raised over £ 700 in just over 2 hours and Matilda’s surgery was done at Goddards in Ewell. After 6 weeks of cage rest with us and 5 homechecks, we finally found a lovely home for Matilda in Sanderstead. Big thanks to the Druckman family, Deb, Debbie, Peter, Zoe, Miss Entwistle for the funds and to Goddards for the 1st class veterinary treatment Matilda received……. Kerry, a West Highland Terrier, whose owner died and we were able to find a home with another elderly lady the following day. Alvin the cat, who was found on the A3 after being hit by a car, now rehomed in an old people’s home, Socks an elderly cat who was to put to sleep now rehomed with us. Also other cats, guinea pigs, rabbits and dogs – all now in loving homes – thank you to Goddards Veterinary Group, Kellie Brittin and to our Tania who managed to coordinate quite a few of the homes for the cats and the guinea pigs! UNLIKE OTHER ORGANISATIONS WE ASK FOR NO MONEY FOR THE PETS WE REHOME – WE ARE JUST HAPPY THAT THEY HAVE A FOREVER HOME! WE ARE 10YRS! I started the Veterinary Assist Charitable Trust nearly 10 years ago and from growing from just me and one vehicle to 6 vehicles, 3 drivers and volunteer accounts/admin personnel, we are still going strong. OK – I am no millionaire (far from it!!), but the support I have received and loyalty from vets and clients has been truly encouraging. Thank you all! Veterinary Assist Group Page 2 of 2 The Peckham “8” pa On 17th November 2012, we received a call from a member of the public about 8 puppies that had been dumped in a holdall on Goose Green parklands – he had been out walking his dog and had heard whimpering noises……..Sarah and Steve went out to Peckham and rushed. the cold puppies into the Blue Cross Victoria where they received immediate veterinary treatment. The puppies were eventually sent to a Blue Cross rehoming Centre where these mastiff cross puppies were all found loving homes. Where their poor mother is we can only imagine? Again, we thank our supporters who help us fund these types of rescues of which we receive no income. The puppies made the news on BBC London as well as being in the Evening Standard. Our New Fleet Earlier last year, the two Ford Focus Estates and the Volvo Estate finally gave up after years and mileage of good service, so we have acquired more vehicles. We have bought a spacious Vauxhall Combo which has two kennel spaces and also purchased a Mercedes E-Class Estate which is imperative for our rapid response and home visits (for vets) in the main. DONATIONS Veterinary Assist Charitable Trust receives no government funding or lottery grants for their subsidised, stray or Wildlife work so if you would like to donate to the charitable part of our work than you can by either cheque, credit card (please telephone your card details) or directly to our bank account which we can advise details if you contact us. Please remember to tell us that you have made a donation if doing directly into our account so that can thank you individually. THANK YOU!! Wildlife Assistance Again, these past 6 months, we have been very busy with wildlife rescues, all of which we do free of charge. As well as collecting various animals and birds from the veterinary practices that we work for, Jurgen, one of our drivers has been very busy with fox and swan rescues for the Fox Project and swan Sanctuary respectively. We are also in the process of purchasing a Renault Master which will have 6 cages and rear seating for monitoring critical care patients during transit. Most of the small birds and mammals have either been cared for by ourselves or in some cases have been transferred to Wildlife Aid in Leatherhead and other wildlife hospitals. Our thanks to Kevin at KM Motors, Mitcham who sources and maintains our vans, Miles who fabricates all the caging and Ian at Final Products who does all our sign writing at the right price!! One little pigeon with a badly injured wing was handed over to us by Stone Lion Vet Clinic – after 3 weeks care with Tania, the little pigeon was successfully released on Wimbledon Common flying beautifully….. About Veterinary Assist Group Veterinary Assist was founded 10 years ago by myself, Steve Kemp as I wanted to help animals and people with a service of transporting their pets to vets. My company offers a 24 hour, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year service to the general public, veterinary clinics and other authoritive bodies. I also work with the larger animal charities such as the Blue Cross, PDSA, and RSPCA offering subsidised fares to the elderly, disabled and disadvantaged.