Sponsored by [email protected] Paw Prints The newsletter for Friends of Paws for Kids Paws for Kids is a Registered Charity No: 1084861 and a Company Limited by Guarantee No: 4070391 Volume 11:Volume Issue 416- Issue October 2010 1 April 2014 Police Crime Commissioner visits Domestic Violence Services in Bolton As part of our co-ordinated approach to the provision of Domestic Abuse services in Bolton, Paws for Kids and Fortalice were delighted to receive a visit from Police Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester, Tony Lloyd. Paws for Kids works alongside Fortalice offering a co-ordinated approach to service delivery for families across Bolton escaping and recovering from domestic abuse. Along with Gill Smallwood, Director of Services - Fortalice, we were able to spend over an hour with Mr Lloyd discussing the Greater Manchester strategy. We are delighted that the priorities for the PCC in Greater Manchester include “Tackling domestic and sexual violence and exploitation of children”. The Police Crime Commissioner also had a quick tour of the refuge provision along with chief officers from the Bolton division of Greater Manchester police. L - R: Superintendent Andrea Jones, PCC Tony Lloyd, Fortalice Director of services Gill Smallwood, Chief Inspector Ric Jackson and ‘our Carole’. Mr Lloyd said “Domestic abuse is far more widespread than many people assume. At least one in four women will experience some form of abuse throughout their lives, while men are also affected - 13% of victims in Greater Manchester are male, although this percentage is likely to be significantly lower than the actual incidence. This destructive crime takes far more lives than is realised, and a significant part of the problem is that victims simply suffer in silence”. “These organisations are a vital lifeline for victims of domestic violence and the many children who are also affected. I have been impressed time and again by the work and dedication shown by those who work for and on behalf of the likes of Fortalice and Paws for Kids - and I once again encourage victims of domestic violence to come forward and seek the appropriate help that’s available”. “Organisations such as Paws for Kids and Fortalice offer services which give people the confidence to reach out and gain the appropriate help when and where it is needed. This help can and does save lives”. “Paws for Kids and Fortalice do exactly what the entire criminal justice system needs to do with its approach to domestic abuse - putting the victim at the heart”. In March we had a visit from IFAW worker Rianne Haaijama and Nicky Jenken who is working with a refuge in Holland. They are presently looking at the feasibility of providing a pet fostering service for a womens’ refuge in Holland. Rhianna and Nicky spent the day at Paws for Kids discussing the similarity of the problems faced by women in Holland who have pet animals; presently there are no services to help families access refuges if they have pets. They are facing the same challenges faced by Paws for Kids back in 1998, with agencies and social services not understanding the significance of the issues around the links between domestic abuse and animal abuse. We were able to share Paws for Kids best practice with Rhianna and Nicky, passing on information on what has worked and what has not. IFAW is providing funds for the pilot project that Rhianna and Nicky are looking at setting up in Holland, once they have completed their feasibility study they hope to start their project as soon as possible. IFAW strive to improve the welfare of countless animals around the world and continues to support the work of Paws for Kids Pet Fostering Service here in the UK. L - R: PFK team member Lynn Higson, Rianne Haaijama, Nicky Jenken, ‘our Carole’ and PFK team member, Sue Haynes. 1 Exercising dogs during the lambing season As I live on the edge of the West Pennine Moors, I often have a Sunday walk over the moorland close to my house. In early March it was good to see lots of new lambs in the fields skipping amongst the daffodils. Unfortunately despite clear notices on field gates, I still see many dogs being exercised off their leads. A recent story in a national newspaper reported the disturbing incident at a farm near Maidstone in which eleven pregnant ewes died as a result of a dog attack. There were also more than forty other sheep at risk of aborting their unborn lambs due to the stress. Fiona Lovatt, president of the Sheep Veterinary Society, has worked with sheep farmers across the country. She said: “The results of these attacks are very distressing for the sheep, the farmer and for the vet. I’ve treated sheep which have been practically shredded by dogs and you often have no choice but to put them down. At this time of year a dog attack can have drastic effects even for the ewes who are not injured, as the stress may cause them to abort. I think most owners are well meaning, but if your dog is off the lead you may not even be aware of the chasing or attack”. The British Veterinary Association are asking dog walkers to keep their dogs on leads when walking near sheep, particularly as the annual lambing season gets underway. This warning comes after a speight of sheep worrying incidents during recent months. It is good practice to keep dogs on leads at all times when walking near any livestock, but it is particularly important during the spring. Even dogs who are usually calm and good natured can become very excitable and difficult to control when faced with ewes and their new lambs. Lambs bring fresh temptation as their energy and activity can be irresistible to dogs, so it is better to consider taking alternative routes during the lambing season, if only as a matter of common courtesy to the farmer, as well as avoiding needless distress to livestock. C Over Easter I hope readers do enjoy country walks, but please remember how important it is to know where your dog is at all times as they can cause a lot of damage in a short time. International Women’s Day On the 7th of March, Bolton women joined women across the world in celebrating International Women’s Day. The day marked the coming together of women from different communities in solidarity to share in ‘dance, music, fun and food’. Paws for Kids Safe Haven and IDVA services worked alongside womens groups from across Bolton including Bolton at Home, Fortalice, The ‘Yes-Matters’ campaign, the Hindu Forum, Bolton council of Mosques, Refugee Action, the Red Cross and CVS. Bolton MP Yasmin Qureshi opened the event - staying for the first hour to get women’s views of what issues were important for them as women in Bolton - issues discussed included, child care, health care, fair wages and the sexual exploitation of women in the media. The event was a celebration of ‘being a woman in Bolton’ and included skill sharing workshops such as henna art, Sari workshop and hand massage. There was also an opportunity to take part in a ‘keeping yourself safe’ workshop, Yoga, various crafts activities as well as Dancing from the Bollywood Divas and the African ‘Smile of Hope’ dancers. Main picture: The Bollywood Divas give it everything they’ve got. Inset top right: Henna art - no pain and it washes away - and opposite, Lynn gets stuck-in making paper hearts. 2 arole No animals harmed in the making of the Russell Crowe film Noah I recently received an e-mail from the Humane Society of the United States with news of the upcoming film Noah; animals won’t board the ark two by two but byte by byte. That’s because director Darren Aronofsky envisioned a better way to bring the Old Testament epic to the big screen. New from visionary director Darren Aronofsky “Noah” stars Russell Crowe, Anthony Hopkins and Emma Watson (from Harry Potter fame). The film is inspired by the epic story of courage, sacrifice, and hope, and is an exercise in humane film making, as no live animals were used during production. For the making of this film, Darren Aronofsky - a recipient of The HSUS’s Humane Film Maker Award - opted to use all computer-generated imagery to create the animals on Noah’s Ark, instead of using captive exotics. As public concern for captive animals grows, the HSUS applauds the film makers behind ‘Noah’ for using technology to tell this legendary story. © Paramount Pictures Corporation Darren Aronofsky says “I didn’t want to use live animals creatively anyway, I think it’s just wrong to bring that into play… When you start to get to certain types of creatures, it’s really questionable how right it is. Especially now that digital technology is basically able to get really close, there’s really no reason to do it.” The film can be seen in cinemas from the beginning of April. Pawstbag Mother’s Day Gifts A funny story spotted on the web... A stray dog has been granted an official free travel pass after learning to use public transport in Italy. The five-yearold husky has won over ticket inspectors and local traders who feed him on his trips. Each day Sadu boards a train to Rome and visits a baker’s for breakfast and butcher’s for lunch. Sadu queues at 7am with other commuters at Ostia Antica station for the 20km journey to the first stop in the capital. He is a regular at the bakery of Salvatore Roselli, who says Sadu is a picky customer: “It has to be Targhettine, a biscuit made from short-crust pastry, and two of them!” For lunch Sadu trots over to Signora Adriana for a bowl of pasta or visits his befriended butcher. Sadu has been making the same journey for three years, but his first attempt to travel without paying failed. Guards at Ostia Antica refused to let him board. However, the husky didn't give up and soon the guards couldn't resist his charms even providing him with his own boarding platform. Left to right: Sharon (Safe Haven) and Vickie (Young Person’s Advocate) with the wonderful Mother’s Day Gifts. No chocolates were misapropriated or harmed during the taking of this picture... A big thank you to Queen Street Mission & Bolton Urban Outreach - especially Dave Bagley, who this year provided enough funds to ensure every woman receiving support from the Safe Haven project, IDVA Service and Young Person’s Advisor, received a gift of chocolates and a plant in time for Mothering Sunday. One excursion ended in a missing-dog hunt after Sadu failed to turn up at his regular haunts, sparking a search and media alerts. The husky was a star upon his return home and various TV appearances followed ending with the free travel pledge. Mr Roselli is glad the star dog returned safely. He said: “Saturday's are madness in the shop, everybody wants a taste of the same biscuits as Sadu”. The gift went to women irrespective of whether or not they had children living at home, to help them feel valued and special for who they are and to let them know ‘they are doing the best they can’. Thank you Queen Street Mission - your kindness really did make a difference to the families we work with. Story courtesy of Ananova 3 Spring clean your wardrobe... FUNDRAISING NEWS not good enough for re-sale but to be recycled as rags by Paws for Kids. ... and help raise funds for Paws for Kids All clothes that are worn and deemed ‘un-wearable’ go into the pile for recycling. The clothes that you don’t really wear don’t have to be there do they? Just taking up space for new items you might desire more and well, what’s the use? Put that in a bag for Paws for Kids or a local charity. Do you sometimes feel you need a larger wardrobe? Well here is the solution. It’s finally that time of year to re-organize your wardrobe. We are all victim to buying new outfits to either fit into today’s latest fashion or just to fit into! Let’s face it, we don’t really need clothes we’ve collected over the last couple of years, so here’s how to free-up some hanging space. Remove all (yes ALL) of your clothes from your wardrobe and throw that pile right on your bed. Now, this is where you organize the piles… I like to sort it out in three piles as follows; one for Paws for Kids, one appropriate for what still fits, and the pile for clothes, shoes etc. This is where the fun starts - try on all the clothes left over! If you don’t like them (or in my case, fit into them) then add to the charity bag. If you’re sure the outfit is for keeps, add them to the pile you intend on keeping. Only these clothes go back in your wardrobe. Over the last 12-months, the Pet Fostering Service has been kept going by funds raised at our charity shop. In 2013 we raised £32,967.39 plus a further £1,621.59 from weighing in un-saleable clothes, shoes, bags etc. as rags. So if your wardrobe is bulging, get the black bin bags out and help Paws for Kids (or your local charity) raise much needed funds. Please contact PFK Charity Shop Manger, Victoria Connor on 01204 522467. In conjunction with Slimming World, supporter Sharon Holstead is taking part in a 6-week sponsored slim, with the proceeds going to Paws for Kids. Sharon says “I have fostered dogs for 12-months now and it gives me a great sense of comfort knowing I am helping a family out and keeping an animal safe. I have been a member of Slimming World for two years now and experienced a great weight loss. By taking part in ‘Slim For Good’ I will be raising money for a fabulous cause whilst motivating myself to be healthy and fit.” You can sponsor Sharon or track her progress by visiting Sharon’s Just giving page at http://www.justgiving.com/Sharon-Holstead How to contact us By telephone: Office open Monday - Friday, 10am - 5pm Referrals for pet fostering can be taken on Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm. Tel: 01204 394 842 Fax: 01204 399 645 All calls are now answered by our admin workers Lynn & Angela who are happy to help with your enquiry or re-direct you to the service you need. Our email addresses are: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] cess of We are in the pro bsite up-dating our we the and hope to launch mer. new site before sum Facebook.com/PawsforKids Joining the 50/50 club not only gives you the opportunity of winning a cash prize (better odds than the National Lottery!) but also ensures financial security for Paws for Kids. 50% of all funds raised by the 50/50 Club goes back into the service - the more numbers bought by supporters means larger cash prizes plus financial security for the Pets Project so it is a win-win situation for supporters and pets. You can still join: Standing Order forms are available by ringing the Paws for Kids office on 01204 394842 or by downloading a form via the Paws for Kids web site www.pawsforkids.org.uk Each month we draw 3 lucky winners who receive cash prizes of: 1st prize - £150, 2nd prize - £50, 3rd prize - £25. The following 9 supporters won prizes in the last three 50/50 club draws. PRIZE DRAW RESULTS January: First prize £150 E. Milman - Horwich ticket No. 424 2nd prize £50 W.P. Connery - Ashton-Under-Lyne ticket No. 203 3rd prize £25 Helen Channon - Lancaster ticket No. 191 Tickets drawn by Rachel White Student Social Worker Fortalice Paws for Kids gains £s from Sharon’s pounds lost By post: Paws for Kids, PO Box 329, Bolton BL6 7WA Paws 50/50 Club @pawsofficial www. pawsforkids. org. uk Paws for Kids is supported by: 4 February: First prize £150 Jane Boast - Horwich ticket No. 25 2nd prize £50 Sheila Ramsdale - Wigan ticket No. 270 3rd prize £25 Julie Mallinson - Stalybridge ticket No. 395 Tickets drawn by Michelle Walsh Wigan Early Intervention Services March: First prize £150 Sue Miller - Leamington Spa ticket No. 264 2nd prize £50 C.W. Senior - Blackrod ticket No. 338 3rd prize £25 Sue Wright - Bolton ticket No. 368 Tickets drawn by Sue Holt Bolton Young Person’s Housing Scheme Attention computer users If you have access to a PC, you could help us save money on postage, printing and envelopes by electing to receive your copy of Paw Prints as a pdf by e-mail. If you would be happy to do this, please e-mail [email protected] Of course we will continue to print copies for supporters without computers, or for those of you who simply prefer a hard copy. SORREEE! to anyone who received both a paper copy and an e-mail copy last quarter. We are updating our address lists to individuals and agencies; this has resulted in some duplication. Every penny we can save on stamps is very important to us. Thank you to supporters who got in touch to let us know this had happened.
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