ISSUE 4 SPRING 2015
Our Amazon Wishlist
You can help the animals at the shelter by purchasing items such as
heat pads, blankets, food and toys to help enrich their lives whilst they
are in our care.
It is very easy to use. Amazon will send the items directly to Grovehill.
Visit amazon.co.uk/wishlist and search for Grovehill!
A big thank you to everyone who has been so kind in donating already.
Wishes really do come true.
Upcoming events
APR
24
MAY
24
24th April 2015
Kennel Club Dog Show
Ecclesville Centre, Fintona.
24th May 2015
Greencastle Family Fun Day
JUN
27
AUG
8
27th June 2015
Omagh Street Collection
8th August 2015
Omagh Street Collection
If you would like to help at any of these events, please contact us.
Above: Our chair, Janice, with her three rescue dogs.
Letter from the Chairperson
The number three is seen as a mystical number in many folktales e.g.
The Three Little Pigs, Three Billy Goats Gruff. I want to suggest three
reasons why, when thinking about getting a pet, we should consider
adopting a rescue cat or dog. Firstly by adopting an animal you’ll
actually save two lives: that of the animal you rehome and also by
freeing up a space in the shelter for another animal. Secondly you are
guaranteed to feel better. Not only do animals give unconditional love
but owning a pet has been proven to be psychologically, emotionally
and physically beneficial. And thirdly you can’t buy love but you can
adopt it from a shelter!
Thank You to the Firemen!
We would like to thank the Omagh Fire Brigade for the collection they
held at the show grounds on the 29th on March in Omagh for the
shelter. They raised £260.30! This will go towards running costs at the
shelter and is much appreciated.
Continuing on my numerical theme, while there are so many different
reasons why people get involved with their local animal shelter, here
are three to get you thinking:
1. Get fit – join our Friday walking club or volunteer to dog walk at the
shelter.
2. Make new friends – enjoy the craic organising and attending our
many fundraising events.
3. Experience the ‘feel good factor’ – improving the lives of unwanted
cats and dogs and knowing you have made a difference is what it’s all
about.
Sir Winston Churchill once said (did you know he was an avid cat lover
by the way?), “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what
we give.” I trust you will feel inspired and uplifted by the many interesting articles in this publication of our newsletter.
On behalf of those who have no voice,
Janice Porter (Chair)
Find us online
For all the latest news from the shelter, please like our Facebook page!
facebook.com/GrovehillAT
You can also follow us on twitter.com/GrovehillAT and join us on our
website: www.grovehillanimaltrust.org
The importance of neutering or
spaying your cats
Volunteer Focus: Charity
Shop Manager
Kitten season is about to start and every year we are inundated with
phone calls from the public about unwanted kittens and pregnant cats.
And every year we find it hard to cope with the demand.
We asked Violet, our charity shop manager, all about volunteering
and here’s what she had to say:
The amount of unwanted cats is one of the main welfare issues we face
and neutering is the only effective way to reduce the numbers. We
recommend that cats are neutered at four months of age or younger
before they start puberty, to prevent unplanned pregnancies.
Puberty occurs at around five to eight months, although it can happen
as early as four months. Female cats can have up to three litters a year
and can be responsible for 20,000 offspring in just five years!
The length of pregnancy in cats is just nine weeks and a female cat can
come into season again six weeks after giving birth. Cats will readily
breed with their brothers, sisters and parents.
Other reasons to neuter:
• To prevent injuries and diseases from fighting
• To prevent roaming
• Reduced risk of tumours
• Less likely to spray
• Females are less likely to develop Pyometra and mammary tumours
• Males are less likely to spread FIV and FeLv
So please do think about getting your cat neutered or spayed. It really
is the kindest option.
Grovehill Charity Shop Donations Wanted!
Our charity shop on Foundry Lane Omagh (which just had its third
birthday in March) is going from strength to strength thanks to the all the
hard work of our shop volunteers. They do a fantastic job - a big thank
you to them. The shop is always looking for donations of clothes, shoes,
handbags, fashion accessories, jewellery, books, DVDS, toys and
furniture. If you have items that you would like us to collect for you,
please ring the shop on 07873 429 945
Thank you to all our supporters for their continued help in supplying us
with stock for the shop and to everyone who shops with us. Everyone's
kindness and support has made our shop the success it is today and
importantly has allowed us to rescue many unwanted animals.
Volunteering with us
There are many different roles within the trust from the shop, walking
dogs at the shelter daily, weekly walking club, feeding the animals,
handy men and women, driving the van, taking photos for Facebook,
fundraising, brushing the dogs, playing with cats… the list goes on.
Volunteers play a huge role within the charity and we really couldn’t do
our job without them. A big thank you to all our amazing volunteers.
If you would like to volunteer with the trust and join our team please
phone us on 028 8076 0482 for more information.
For insurance reasons you need to be 16 or over to volunteer.
What does your volunteering in the shop involve? Organising
volunteer rota, maximising potential of donations (i.e. displays, window
and shop floor). Liaising with public organising collections and deliveries. The list is endless! Very varied and no two days are the same.
When did you start volunteering in the shop? September 2013.
What inspired you to get involved? I was looking to volunteer and
have a love of animals. Grovehill was the best way of combining both.
How often do you volunteer? 5 days per week.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering in the shop? I enjoy
lots of aspects. The volunteers, customers and the sense of satisfaction
when we close the shutters that people and animals have benefited
from the day. When customers compliment us on the way the shop is
kept and displayed. I feel the shop has become a great part of the
community and love to see customers return time and time again.
Why would you encourage others to get involved in the shop?
Everyone has something to offer! Each person is part of a team and the
larger Grovehill community. It’s a fun and happy environment with a
sense of achievement. Every day is different.
What advice would you give someone starting to volunteer in the
shop? Enjoy! Take a sense of pride in what you do. Any time given is
appreciated and valued highly. Apply NOW!
The Benefits of Adopting an
Older Cat
Our Annual Moonlight Walk
through the Gortin Glens
Every day we receive phone calls from people looking kittens, the
younger the better. Yes kittens are cute and adorable but they’re also
high maintenance. Currently at the shelter we have a few older cats that
sadly keep getting passed by in favour of our younger residents.
We held our annual sponsored moonlight dog walk on Friday the 27th
of February in the Gortin Glens forest park. We were truly humbled by
such a large turn out on what was a cold February night. A Big Thank
you to every single person who came along, sponsored, took part &
helped out on the walk. It was such a great night & we have gotten such
positive feedback about the event which is lovely. It was wonderful to
see so many familiar and new faces, and the shelter dogs had the best
time.
There is nothing more heart breaking than when older cats come into
the shelter, often after their owner has passed away. We know these
poor cats have been in a lovely home all of their lives and will now in
their mature years have to get used to shelter life and unfortunately will
likely be with us for some time due to their older age.
These older cats have just as much to give a new owner and deserve a
loving home just as the younger cats do. Not only is it hard for the older
cats in the shelter but it also means we don’t have free space to bring
in more cats that are in need. We can only bring in unwanted cats that
desperately need our help when we rehome a cat.
Advantages of adopting an older cat:
• They tend to enjoy company more than a younger cat and are more
affectionate.
• They mostly spend less time outside away from home and love to curl
up on a warm lap for the evening.
• Older cats are usually more settled than younger cats, so they are
more likely to fit in easily to your home.
• Older cats may be better for owners who are out working as older cats
are more settled.
• An older cat may be better for older people as they fit into each other’s
lifestyles more comfortably.
Don’t forget that cats can live for 20 years or more, so think about
where you’ll be in two decades time when you’re deciding whether a
kitten or older cat is the right choice for you. Have a look at our older
cats in the cats for rehoming section or better still phone the office on
02880760482 to arrange to meet our lovely older cats in person.
Trap, Neuter, Release Programme
In 2012 the trap, neuter, release programme was implemented under
the cats protection scheme to address the issue of breeding of feral
cats and unwanted kittens – to date 208 feral cats have been neutered
under this scheme.
It’s a free service to anyone that has feral cats around their home. Lisa
will come out catch the cats, bring the cats to the vets to be neutered
and then will bring the cats back to where she trapped them and
release them. Contact us on 02880760482 if you would like to know
more about this.
The total raised was £1,310 which is fantastic and will go towards the
running of the shelter ensuring we can continue to give animals a
future.
Meet some of our beautiful animals who are waiting for homes
Do you have room in your life for a special friend? Introducing some of our cats and dogs available for rehoming. If you are interested in adopting
any of our animals please contact us to make an appointment to visit them.
Cindy - 13 year old female tabby cat. She came Jinny - 13 year old female tabby. She came George - a lovely big 12 year old male cat.
into the shelter as her owner is unwell. Cindy is into the shelter with Cindy as their owner is George is a lazy cat that enjoys sleeping in his
a lovely big cat who is still full of life.
unwell.
bed and looking out the window.
Rogue - a 3 year old female pointer. She’s a
very friendly girl who gets on great with other
dogs.
Shady - a lovely 1 year old male collie. He is Darkie - 5 year old female lab. Darkie is a
good with other dogs, house trained and good lovely girl who can be nervous at first but once
on the lead.
she gets to know you she is a very friendly dog.
Our animals are fully vaccinated, neutered, microchipped, de flead and wormed. If you can give any of them a home please contact us.
The lucky ones: some of the animals already in their forever home
Update on Molly and Mini
Happy Pets Bin
If you buy an item for the Grovehill bin in Happy Pets Omagh you will
get 10% discount off the item. Big thank you to Happy Pets for their
continued support.
Dogs are capable of understanding up to
250 words and gestures and can count up
to five. The average dog is as intelligent as
a two-year-old child.
How you can help
If you follow us on Facebook you will already know about the two
Beagles Molly and Mini.
Molly and Mini are two female beagles. We think they are mother and
daughter but we have no other background information on them. Mini
is around 6 years old and Molly is around 2 years. Both dogs came in
to the shelter in June last year underweight and very scared of
people, especially Mini. Mini also had a skin infection.
After getting them checked over by our vet and Mini’s skin infection
sorted, we worked with the dogs to slowly build their confidence and
after 4 mths they started to get better, mostly when they were away
from the shelter on walks. Molly and Mini love their walks and
watching them play in the river was just as much fun for us as it was
for them. Sadly there was no interest in them as a pair as people were
put off by taking two and by Mini’s lack of confidence.
In October 2014 we launched Omagh Pets in Omagh Today magazine and feathered the two Beagles. That same week Clyde Cobane
called into the shelter to see if he could be of any help to the Beagles
and offered to foster them. The beagles have come on so much it’s
unbelievable. The work and time Clyde as put in with them and the
results are very noticeable. So much so, Clyde was able to bring them
to our Moonlight walk at the end of February.
Grovehill simply wouldn’t exist without the kindness and generosity of
the animal loving people of Omagh and further afield. We depend on
your help, and these are some of the ways in which you can help us
give these animals a better future...
• Make a donation
• Sponsor an animal
• Adopt an animal
• Foster an animal who may just need a little temporary care
• Volunteer at our charity shop on Foundry Lane Omagh or other Fundraising events
• Organise a fundraising event on our behalf
• Donate stock to our charity shop
• Place a collection box in your home or business
• Wedding favours
• Remember Grovehill in your will
If you would like to help us in any way, please contact us - we will be
delighted to hear from you!
Female cats tend to be right pawed, while
male cats are more often left pawed.
Interestingly, while 90% of humans are right
handed, the remaining 10% of lefties also
tend to be male
We have asked Mr Cobane about his experience:
How would describe Molly and Mini when you first meet them?
Very gentle, delicate, quiet and shy.
What work have you done with them? Developing a routine for
them, rewarding good behaviour, tlc and making them feel secure.
What difference have you seen in them? Big difference with them.
More confidence. Can still be shy with new people but getting better.
More trusting and affectionate and more relaxed and happy.
What advice would you give a fosterer? Have patience and time.
What you give is what you get back.
What have you gained as a result of fostering? Company and a
sense that I have helped them two dogs and have done something
good.
Would you recommend fostering to others and would you do it
again? Yes definitely.
Grovehill Animal Trust
88 Tiroony Road, Sixmilecross, Omagh, County Tyrone,
N Ireland. BT79 9HB.
Company No NIC101370
Charity No XT33026
Telephone: 028 8076 0482
Email: [email protected]