Welcome to the Spring newsletter where we look back on last year and forward to the new. In 2012 we met some wonderful animals and saw

many find loving homes, including long-stay dogs Pepsi, Strawberry and Trigger. Inside we have stories on events that we held and a quick guide on how our year was in numbers.

Although we had our 75th anniversary to spur us on last year (see page 10 for how our appeal went), we are now looking forward to 2013 and continuing tomeet more of our supporters in and around the community. We are aiming to visit all corners of our catchment area to raise awareness of the work we do and we hope you will join with us in some way – fundraising, volunteering, adopting or just spreading the word. Make this the year that you make a difference.

Chris PopeChairman of the Trustees, Bath Cats and Dogs Home

Chris Pope

contents

Page 3Into the valley---------------------------Page 4-5Looking for a home---------------------------Page 6-7Holly Mitchell, senior vet---------------------------Page 82012 in pictures---------------------------Page 92013 Spring events---------------------------Page 10 Winter care package appeal updateUK cycling challenge

christmas crackers Photo competition Winners

Congratulations to the four winners of our fun photo competition, who each won a professional photo shoot with Oscar & Rose Photography – www.oscar-and-rose.co.uk

Laura Davey

Tina Ingamells

Rebecca Novak

Sharon Owen

“I wanted to do a charity challenge, but I didn’t want to choose a large charity so I researched local ones. I had heard of Bath Cats and Dogs Home as some of my friends had adopted pets and I had come to the Open Days, but when I read that it takes £3500 a day to run that sealed it.

The Death Valley cycle looked exciting, the trouble was I wasn’t even vaguely a cycler! Because I work long hours it also wasn’t practical to go to the gym so I bought a static bike, put on a DVD and pedalled my way through a fi lm! I lost 3 stone just in training.

The Global Adventures team and other riders were fantastic support – there were 14 of us. Although the cycle was quite solitary – you kept your head down and legs going – in the evening we all met in the bar for a beer. The social side was incredible and kept me going – we’re all still in touch and meeting again in Cardiff soon!

It was incredibly tough. I wasn’t prepared for the hills at all! On the second day it was 24 miles uphill, all day, in 15oC. On the fi nal day my knee blew. I had damaged my posterior and anterior cruciate ligaments and couldn’t even walk, let alone cycle. But I still felt an incredible sense of accomplishment for what

I had done. The fi nal bus ride into Vegas was absolute insanity – such a culture shock. And yes I had a little fl utter – I won on blackjack, then lost it all on roulette!

I still have a little limp but my knee is getting better, and I have a great story. My next challenge will be a parachute jump – no cycling! If you want to do a cycle I would recommend much more training than I did, but I would highly recommend doing some sort of challenge to anyone – the sense of achievement is out of this world! ”

Jim is just short of his £3500 fundraising target - can you help? Reward his endeavours by donating to his JustGiving page – which will come directly to us. www.justgiving.com/Jim-Gerken

Into theValleySometimes it can feel that the daily cycle commute is tough-going, well how about a 261 mile cycle through a Nevada desert with climbs of up to 3,400 feet? Jim Gerken took this epic challenge on despite having no cycling experience to raise money for our animals – his adventure saw him cycle through Death Valley, and right into the heart of Vegas.

tough-going, well how about a 261 mile cycle through

Challenge yourself to make a difference - visit www.charitychallenge.com

“The social side wasincredible and kept me going”

Jim Gerken

i n 2 0 1 2 W e r e - h o m e d … 1 , 8 3 4 A n i m A l s …

3

can you make 2013 the best year they’ve ever had?

looking for a home

Parker is a big old tom who has had a terrbile fl ea allergy causing alopecia. He is a little naughty as he licks his scabs, so he has to wear a cone collar until he is better. He is very friendly and just wants a lap and fuss-time. He has a gorgeous purr. Parker has the reference number BC24091 and is in our quiet cattery, so please ask about him at reception.

ParkerThe big softie

Where is your ideal UK holiday? A fi sherman’s

cottage by the sea? A boutique hideaway with

a four poster bed? Somewhere with a pool, a

country view or in town where all the action

is? We have teamed up with cottages4you to

bring you the best cottages to rent in the UK,

many of which are pet friendly so no need to

leave your best friend behind.

Plus, with every holiday booked

through our website, we get a 10%

donation from cottages4you!

5 7 7 d o G s … 7 8 5 c A t s … 6 7 r A b b i t s … 2 3 G u i n e A P i G s … 3 1 f e r r e t s …

4

A home from home

Look out for top cottages,

competitions and travel ideas on

their website throughout the year.

www.chooseacottage.co.uk/bch

A home from home

Bertie loves company and will come running when you open his hutch door here at the Home. He is happy to be picked up and lets you play with his mane. However occasionally he will give you a little nip – something we hope castration and a little training will help with. So for now, he is best with experienced owners who likes a bunny with bags of personality!Bertie’s reference number is BR24060. You can meet him in our rabbit runs on a sunny day or by asking at reception.

Arlo is a funny and clever lad who brings a smile to everyone he meets. He loves his football games and going for walks so is looking for an active home. He would be great in a family home with older children to play with and maybe another doggie friend. He has been brilliant here in the Home at helping shy dogs feel better and encouraging them to play. Arlo is an elegant staffi e cross with a striking white marking around his neck and chest making him very handsome.Arlo has the reference number BD22854 and can be seen on E Block.

Billy (Old Tyme Bulldog) and Peach (Shih Tzu) love each other and would like a home together. They sleep curled up together and even eat from the same bowl! They are shy dogs looking for a quiet home and a gentle owner who will give them time and patience to settle in. Billy and Peach’s reference numbers are BD24105 and BD24106, and you can meet them on F block.

bertieThe cheeky one

ArloThe prankster

billy & PeachThe odd couple

5 7 7 d o G s … 7 8 5 c A t s … 6 7 r A b b i t s … 2 3 G u i n e A P i G s … 3 1 f e r r e t s …

5

taking careof ouranimalsHolly Mitchell – senior vet in our Veterinary Suite since October 2012 – tells us a bit about why she became a vet and about her role at Bath Cats and Dogs Home.

custard 5-month old lurcher

Custard was found straying with a fractured

leg. He has had a metal

plate screwed onto his

leg to re-shape it as it

heals. He has been staying

in our Veterinary Suite

for over a month with

daily attention to his

wound. Money from our

raffl es helps pay for our

Vet Suite to stay open.

2 7 4 e x - b A t t e r y f A r m c h i c k e n s … 7 6 s m A l l P e t s A n d b i r d s .

6

So have you always wanted to be a vet?

Yes - I think I decided when I was 12! I thought that doctors became too

specialist in their field, and that being a vet allowed me to see the whole picture. I take surgery, I consult with owners, I even do a little lab work. So I went to university for 5 years, worked in a practice in Reading and then at the PDSA for a couple of years which I loved. Then I moved to work for the Bath Vet Group, who won the contract to work with and run the Vet Suite at Bath Cats and Dogs Home back in October.

There seems to be a great team spirit at Bath Vet Group.

It is a great team of people who work really hard and are proud of the

high standards. It can be a long day – with 6 appointments an hour. I work at both Rosemary Lodge hospital and I asked to work at the Home as well.

Why did you ask to work here?

I really like charity work – it feels like you are doing the best for the animal,

plus the animals here really need your help.

You haven’t been here long, but have you had any memorable cases yet?

We had a cat called Tazzy who had been adopted, but came back in to

continue her treatment for a sore mouth, so I did some dental work for her. Her owner brought her in for a post-op check and said she was a different cat already. It was nice to know that I had made a difference. And at the moment we have Custard the lurcher (pictured with Holly) who has a shattered leg so he has been in recovery for 2 weeks with us – he’s almost our pet!

What’s the worst thing about being a vet?

It can be frustrating when people don’t take your advice. There is a lot of pet

obesity, and you see them come in year after year gaining weight.

No major bite marks on you then?

No! A rat had a good nibble on me earlier this year but I have developed

ways of handling animals so they aren’t stressed. Saying hello to a dog first, and then giving them a gentle fuss on the side or chest rather than on the head or back. And with cats they often just stay on a table even when I am taking blood, so there isn’t a need to manhandle them.

What’s your advice to those thinking of becoming a vet?

Definitely do it! Get lots of experience when you’re at school and university.

You need to be confident and be good with people – it’s all about communication. Oh and work hard!

Holly will start a regular column about her work at the Home, starting in our next newsletter, out at the end of May. We have also been following her work throughout January online – www.bcdh.org.uk/newsQ

Q

Q

Q

Q

Q

Q

A

A

A

A

A

A

A

Working with business partnersPetplan insurancePet insurance can help cover the cost of unexpected veterinary treatment. See the enclosed flyer for more information on the different types of pet insurance available and to activate 4 weeks’ free Petplan insurance for your pet.If you continue your cover with Petplan they will give 10% of your premium back to Bath Cats and Dogs Home and a further 10% each time you renew helping us look after more animals.Terms, conditions and excesses apply and may be varied at renewal.

2 7 4 e x - b A t t e r y f A r m c h i c k e n s … 7 6 s m A l l P e t s A n d b i r d s .

7

2012 in pictures

Bath Half Marathon - 11 March. 46 runners (including one dressed as a

dog!) raised nearly £9000.

Small Animal Awareness Weekend – 14 -15 April. The 2nd Keynsham Girl Guides

meeting one of our ferrets.

Cat Cuddle-a-Thon – 28 April. 19 people locked themselves in a cat pod for the day

and raised money for the cattery.

Gower Coastal Challenge – 5 October. A sponsored weekend

walk through stunning Welsh scenery.

Catless Cat Show – 2 September. Oldies group winner Cas showing off his

rosette after the show.

Wag Walk – 27 May. Had to be re-scheduled because of the weather – turned out to be a theme of the year!

Christmas Cat Cuddle-a-Thon – 1 December. 19 well-wrapped up people locked themselves in for half a day in a

spontaneous winter challenge.

Kennel Break – 28 September. Scott and John from Burton Sweet and Graham from Bath Vet Group try to raise enough

money to get them out of a locked kennel.

Open Day – 2 September. Fun and prizes on our annual Open Day.

Carol concert – 2 December. Even the teachers from Prior Park College joined in the singing!.

Chew Valley Bike Ride – 7 October. Over 300 riders

cycled to raise money for us. See page 3 to join in this year.

8

THANK YOU to all of our

supporters for making it a great

year! Visit www.bcdh.org.uk for all

the latest on our work and events.

in 20 12 the toP 4 breeds in Were … stAffordshire bull terrier 63 … JAck russell terrier 56 …

2013 spring eventsLooking to engage with the local business community? To generate positive PR for the business? Then take on the Kennel Break. Locked in to a (freshly cleaned!) kennel with your laptop and mobile phone – you will be challenged to reach out to as many contacts as possible to hit the £2000 target. Once you’ve hit your target or exhausted your contact list, freedom will be yours.

Beware that some of your contacts may just pay double to keep you in a little longer…

For more information contact Amy Pearcey on amypearcey@bcdh.org.uk or 01225 787338.

You’ll fi nd a book of raffl e tickets enclosed for our Spring Raffl e. You have the chance

to win cash prizes – with a top prize of £200! Plus our fourth prize is a snugly cat or dog bed of your choice (up to the value of £30) from our Paw Store.

Please try and sell your tickets for us (one book of 10 tickets at £1 per ticket) – and if you would like more please contact Sandie on 01225 787334 or email fundraising@bcdh.org.uk

You’ll fi nd a book of raffl e tickets enclosed

Kennel BreakFriday 14th June

Spring Raffle

bcdh.org.uk

chris When his family moved home, Chris was

left behind to slowly starve to death. By

the time he came to us he was extremely

underweight and dragging his back legs. With

expertise from our carers and vets he is

now up and running about. Pretty good for

a 12-year old! Money from our raffl es helps

to pay for our Vet Suite to stay open.

9

If you have a celebration coming up but have all the presents you need then why not ask your friends and family to donate to the Home instead? Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary or wedding your celebration will provide for animals in urgent need of care and a new home.

We can provide all you need - donation cards, envelopes and collection cans for the day. To let us know about your celebration please call 01225 787334 or email fundraising@bcdh.org.uk

Let’s Celebrate!

in 20 12 the toP 4 breeds in Were … stAffordshire bull terrier 63 … JAck russell terrier 56 …

Many of you have taken our appeal for pulling together supplies for a cold winter to heart and donated generously. Over the festive period it was, as you remember, very wet so perhaps we should have added in some Wellington boots to our wish list! Thank you to all who have donated so far, because of you we are currently able to keep all our animals warm and snug.

Winter Care Package Appeal – an update

bailey Bailey is a nervous little lad who came to us because his owner was sadly too ill to continue to keep him. He loves his new winter coat, it makes him feel safe and warm. He is looking for a home, please ask about him at reception, reference number BD15963

Join us for a cycle around picturesque Chew Valley and Bath. The group ride, organised by professional company Bike Events, attracted nearly 300 riders last autumn and we want to make it even better this year! Starting out from Victoria Park in Bath, you have a choice of 3 routes depending on your abilities and the challenge you want to take on.

All we ask is that you raise £75 in sponsorship – this money will go to helping our animals. To register contact Zena on 01225 787335 or email zenajones@bcdh.org.uk

take on our uk cyclingchallenge – for all the familysunday 11th August

1. Short. A family-friendly route without traffi c

and suitable for little pedalling legs.

2. Long. 33 miles through pretty Pensford

village and back into Bath.

3. Serious. 60 miles around the entire Chew

Lake and back into Bath.

10

lurchers 5 1 … lAbrAdor retriever 50

lurchers 5 1 … lAbrAdor retriever 50