NEWS & EVENTS

New shop open!

The RSPCAs new shop is open on Church Lane in Banbury and are looking for volunteers and good donations (please telephone the shop on 01295 265632).

Tesco Collection

Tesco Week collection - dedicated volunteers and dogs Daisy and May (who were rescued from the RSPCA Hong Kong) collecting monies at the Banbury Store. The total collection for the branch from Oxfordshire was just over £1,000 well done everyone - particularly those who had to endure the cold and sometimes very damp weather!

Also Chilton 'Rehoming Centre' opening in 2008 - if you would like to volunteer to help call Ingrid on 01235 820420.

Abandonments of Animals - New Year 2008

A shocking total of 35 animals have been abandoned and rescued by the RSPCA in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire alone in the first four days of 2008.

On New Year's Day a resident of Ivy Close, Cowley, Oxfordshire, opened her door to find a cardboard box on her doorstep with a cat inside it. The friendly young black and white cat, which has now gone to new owners, was wearing a new yellow flea collar.

A 10 to 13-week-old puppy was found tied to a lamp post in a veterinary surgery car park in Banbury at 6pm on Thursday 3 January. The black and white spaniel cross had two new red leads around her neck which had been fastened to the post. She was found by staff at West Bar vets in South Street. The puppy will be rehomed with a friend of the RSPCA inspector who is investigating the incident.

Finally, again on Friday, 16 gerbils were found dumped near a recycling bin at the front of a house in Campion Close, Carterton, Oxford. The tiny animals, seven of them babies, had been left in a pink plastic cage inside a cardboard box.They have now been taken to the RSPCA Blackberry Farm animal centre.

RSPCA animal collection officer (ACO) Andy Eddy picked up the gerbils. He said: "It is heartbreaking to think that people will just abandon their animals when they tire of them. At this time of year our animal centres are full and it is always hard to find space for those pets which have become unwanted.

"People need to realise they have a responsibility to their pets and they need to make sure they can care for them for the whole of their lives, not just until they can no longer be bothered."

Anyone found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal could face a maximum six-month prison sentence and/or a £20,000 fine.

Those with information about any of the above incidents should contact the RSPCA in confidence on 0300 1234 999.

If you are thinking of taking on a new pet please consider a 'rescued animal' contact Sarah on 07879 861 941 to check what animals the Branch currently has with fosterers.

Branch AGM 2007

The Oxfordshire Branch of the RSPCA held it's AGM at the Methodist Church Hall in Woodstock on the 16th of October. The meeting was well attended and chaired by Mike Tomlinson, Chairman of Council, RSPCA National. Reports were given to members by Chief Inspector Rob Skinner, Branch Administrator Judith Garvey and the Coordinators of the other essential activities of the branch, including Animal fostering, Home visiting, Animal welfare, Microchipping and Animal welfare support.

In his report, Rob Skinner reviewed the work of the Inspectors and Animal Collection Officers, during what has been a particularly testing time. The additional challenges of responding to foot and mouth disease, blue tongue and the task of rescuing animals (and humans!), during the recent floods have been enormous and Rob thanked the members for their continuing support.

In his opening remarks, Mike Tomlinson praised the work of the branch ,in recruiting and supporting a growing number of volunteers and in expanding their activities for the RSPCA in Oxfordshire. At the end of the meeting, the members elected nine committee members, to take the Branch forward, as independently self managing.

This is an exciting time for the Oxfordshire Branch . Plans are advanced for the opening of the first shop in Oxfordshire, in Banbury and a new mini animal welfare centre in the South of the county . The Branch holds regular monthly Micro-chipping events ,where animals can be chipped at the subsidised cost of £10. The next events are at Tesco's car park in Didcot, on Saturday, 27th October and at the Wood Farm community centre on Saturday, 3rd November. Telephone Katherine on 01993 813701 for further information.

The AGM also provided an opportunity to present Ted Johnson, with an award to recognise his exemplary work, as home visitor for dog re-homing and welfare coordinator. Ted has been a committed volunteer and former trustee for 15 years.

Newsletter

Our June 2008 newsletter is now available.

The April 2008 newsletter.

The December 2007 newsletter.

The October 2007 newsletter.

The August 2007 newsletter.

Appeals

Cat fosterers needed to temporarily look after preganant mums, poorly & recuperating cats. See our contacts page for how to get in touch if you think you could help.

Microchipping

Get your pet chipped for safety and security at greatly reduced cost. For details of next event telephone Katherine on 01993 813701

Monthly Meetings

We will be holding meetings for RSPCA volunteers on the third Tuesday in every month 7pm in Woodstock. Please contact Judith for details.

Email Judith on info@rspca-oxfordshire.org.uk for details.