Our shops are open and we cannot wait to see our lovely customers and supporters. Did you know we also have some wonderful volunteer opportunities too?
News
Coronavirus Update – April 2021
We are delighted to announce that our seven charity shops will reopen on 12th April.
Our Branch office continues to be closed to the public, but we will continue to carry out online adoptions for cats and small pets in our care, by following social distancing guidelines and wearing appropriate PPE when your new companion is delivered to you. Unfortunately due to current restrictions we will be unable to carry out adoptions for dogs in our care at this time. We will also continue offering our subsidised neutering and veterinary assistance programme throughout this time. If you need advice or information, you can contact us in the usual manner, either by phone (0303 040 1565) or email during our usual hours,which are Monday to Friday, 10am - 4pm. Unfortunately, as a charity with limited resources, during this time we will be unable to accept any animals into our care unless through the RSPCA Inspectorate or as a veterinary emergency.
We are an independent, local Branch of the RSPCA and unfortunately, the necessary restrictions around COVID-19 have made it even harder for us to support the animals in our care. The closure of our shops and cancellation of all of our fundraising events have meant that the majority of our income streams for the past year have ceased and we’ve had to look at new ways of fundraising so we can continue our vital work. We have always relied on the generosity of the public to enable us to do the work that we do and now, more than ever, we need your help and we can’t do what we do without your support. Luckily there are many ways you can support our work:
- If you are doing more online shopping than usual, you can sign up to EasyFundraising or Amazon Smile and help us raise money for animals without any additional cost to yourself.
- Making a donation to the Branch online.
- Buy something from our eBay shop.
- Making a bequest to the Branch in your will.
- We also welcome any donations you may have for our shops or the animals in our care, please call us on 0303 040 1565 to arrange a safe time for you to drop these items off to us.
- You can purchase an item for our animals from our Amazon Wishlist.
- You can take part in our lottery via Make A Smile.
For more information on ways you can help, check out our Individual Fundraising page.
Why shop in a charity shop?
Our charity shops are opening back up on the 12th April which is fantastic news! If you haven’t visited our shops before, why not come along to see what hidden gem you may find?
If you need persuading (not that you do) then here is a list of just some of the reasons you should shop in a charity shop.
Value for money
One of the main reasons that our shops are so popular is that they are great value for money. In one shop, you are able to buy clothing of all types, jewellery, games, books, pet food all at a really cheap price and the list goes on! Not only are you getting a great deal, we are too as all of the money you spend on your purchase goes towards helping animals in your local area.
It's sustainable
Someone’s unwanted item may be the exact thing you are looking for so instead of it ending up in landfill, you can enjoy it and make it your own. Not only will you be helping the environment, you will also be helping animals too. Click here to see our blog on recycling.
It's original
You may be able to find clothing and other items that will not be available in other bigger stores, allowing your originality to show and not be copied. There are not many places that you can find vintage items and random books for example! Also, when somebody asks where you got your new item from, you can happily say that this is a one off item you got from the RSPCA Mid Norfolk & North Suffolk charity shop and it was an absolute bargain!
To raise awareness
First of all, you can raise awareness about the effect mass consumption in shopping has on the environment and instead of buying completely new goods, you can buy perfectly good-as-new items for half the price. Not only that, your custom means we can help more animals in need in your local area and by shopping in our shops, you will become an advocate for our Branch, showing your support for good animal welfare.
So there you have it, a few amazing reasons why you should give our charity shops a go. We have seven shops in total and to see which one is closest to you, click the button below!
Enjoy your April newsletter jam packed full of useful information, great news and advice!
By Chloe, Animal Welfare Manager
It’s that time of year again, where the countryside becomes alive with new life and many of us start to venture out more! Easter is typically associated with many things (mainly chocolate!) the Easter Bunny and to me, lambs being born.
Sheep are curious creatures, having 4 stomachs to help them digest grass and there are over 90 different breeds of sheep in the UK. They also help maintain our countryside and have done so for many generations. The smallest breed of sheep comes from a French island and are called Ouessant Sheep measuring in at only 46-49cm tall while a popular breed of sheep many of you might have seen on social networking sites are the Valais Blacknose, with their long woolly coats and black noses. But when you go out for your Easter walks and to see the lambs, there are a few things to remember to keep our woolly friends safe.
Dogs MUST be kept on leads around livestock, even if your dog is normally fine. You might not think you are worrying the sheep but remember sheep are prey animals and are trying to protect their young whether pregnant or with lambs at foot. Your dog doesn’t have to catch/touch a sheep to cause harm, merely the chase can cause stress and death to sheep. It is also an offense to allow your dog to worry sheep meaning the owner or whoever is responsible for the dog at the time will be committing an offence if the dog chases, attacks or causes suffering to livestock. A police officer may seize a dog suspected to be worrying livestock and if convicted of an offence under this Act then a person may be liable to a maximum fine of £1,000. So to keep your beloved companion safe, make sure you respect signs of livestock and check fields before entering. Simply don’t let them off the lead near livestock, after all, prevention is better than cure!
It should be noted that a farmer may be able to shoot any dog worrying livestock if there are no other reasonable means for stopping the dog from doing this. To avoid this, keep your dog on a lead at all times when livestock are around.
Secondly, clean up after your dog and take the evidence home! Did you know that your dog poo could cause abortion of unborn lambs and calves? Ingesting dog faeces/infecting grassland can cause disease and even death to sheep and cattle. Furthermore, the poo bags can be ingested by curious cows and nosey sheep, again resulting in suffering or even death.
We are very lucky to have such beautiful countryside to explore in Norfolk and Suffolk, we just need to make sure we respect those who live in it… the animals!
Baby birds
We have all been waiting for better weather and blooming flowers but did you know it’s a busy time of year for the National RSPCA wildlife centres? They receive lots of calls about baby animals from concerned members of the public who find them out and about.
Our advice is it’s normally best to leave baby animals alone, as their parents are usually nearby. Getting close to their young can scare them off, so below are some tips from the National RSPCA to help you know when to help a baby animal alone. In this blog, we cover baby birds however for more information on other wildlife, click here
Nestlings
Nestlings are baby birds that have no feathers, or only a few. Nestlings will not survive long outside the protection of the nest so take it to your nearest wildlife rehabilitator.
Fledglings
Fledglings have all or most of their feathers and leave the nest just before they can fly. Leave a fledgling alone and watch from a distance, as the parents are usually nearby and will still be feeding the bird. Never try to return a bird to the nest as this may disturb the other young birds and may be illegal.
If a fledgling is in immediate danger, place it in a sheltered spot a short distance away.
Better off left alone
The RSPCA wildlife centres care for over a thousand ‘orphaned’ fledglings each year, picked up by well-meaning people. Most of these birds are not orphans and would’ve been better off left in the wild.
Baby owls (owlets)
Tawny owlets can climb back up into the nest. If you find a tawny owlet under a possible nest site, monitor from a distance to see if the parents are nearby. If you hear them calling, leave the bird alone.
If, after monitoring, you think a fledgling is genuinely orphaned, take it to your nearest wildlife rehabilitator.
Please don’t try to care for young birds yourself – they need specialist care and facilities to survive.
Capture and boxing baby birds
If it’s safe to catch and handle the bird then, wearing suitable gloves, place it into a secure ventilated cardboard box, lined with a towel or newspaper. Don’t offer food or water as they require a specialised diet.
Keep the bird somewhere warm and quiet and take it to your nearest wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible.
Take to your nearest wildlife centre
It’s often faster to take an animal to a wildlife rehabilitator yourself, as the National RSPCA officers may be out of the area attending other calls. If you’re unable to transport the baby bird, contact them on 0300 1234 999.
What to do with injured wild animals
If you find an injured wild animal, watch it first to see how badly hurt it is. Then if possible take it to a nearby vet or wildlife rehabilitator (call first to make sure they can take and treat the animal).
It’s often faster to take an animal to a vet or wildlife rehabilitator yourself as the nearest RSPCA officer may be out of the area attending other calls.
If you’re unable to transport the animal and cannot find a wildlife rehabilitator who is able to help, contact the National RSPCA about an animal in distress. If possible, contain the animal before calling.
Be careful when approaching wild animals, they can scratch and bite when frightened, particularly if they’re injured. If in doubt, keep a safe distance and call them on 0300 1234 999.
Elton
Our second adoption story is all about Elton. Elton came to us as part of a multi cat household and whilst within our care he was found to be positive for FIV, meaning he would need to be indoor only.
Do you have an adoption story that you would like to share with us? Get in touch at woof@rspcanorwich.org
What to do if you find a wild animal that is sick or injured
What to do with injured wild animals
Now we are getting out and about a bit more, we may come across more wildlife. But what is the best thing to do if you see wildlife that is sick or injured? If you are unfortunate enough to come across injured wildlife please ensure to follow these important guidelines from the National RSPCA below.
If you find an injured wild animal, watch it first to see how badly hurt it is. Then if possible take it to a nearby vet or wildlife rehabilitator (call first to make sure they can take and treat the animal).
It’s often faster to take an animal to a vet or wildlife rehabilitator yourself the nearest RSPCA officer may be out of the area attending other calls.
If you’re unable to transport the animal and cannot find a wildlife rehabilitator who is able to help, contact the National RSPCA about an animal in distress. If possible, contain the animal before calling.
Be careful when approaching wild animals, they can scratch and bite when frightened, particularly if they’re injured. If in doubt, keep a safe distance and call the National RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.
Who to call for certain animals
The following animals can’t be handled or transported by the public:
- an injured deer
- seal
- wild boar
- otter
- badger
- fox
- snake
- bird of prey (including owls)
- swan
- goose
- heron
- gull.
If you see one, keep a safe distance and call the National RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.
Found a whale, dolphin or porpoise
If you find a whale, dolphin or porpoise on a beach call the National RSPCA or the BDMLR (British Divers Marine Rescue) immediately. Keep a safe distance and don’t touch the animal.
Animals in traps
Never try to free an animal from a snare or trap – you risk hurting yourself and the animal and it could be an offence if the animal was legally caught. Stay back to avoid stressing the animal and call the National RSPCA with the location.
Found a dead bird
If you see a dead bird, please report it to the Garden Wildlife Health Project.
Garden Wildlife Health has produced fact sheets on diseases affecting British birds such as Trichomonosis, Avian pox and Salmonellosis.
If you need to handle an injured animal
Only lift a wild animal if you’re sure that you can do so without risk to yourself or others. Make sure you also keep the animal away from your face. Wear gloves when handling all wild animals, especially oiled wildlife – pollutants like oil can be hazardous. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling an animal as well. Take care in dangerous locations, such as a busy road. Watch from a distance first to see whether the animal is still alive, call for help if you can’t reach it safely.
Found a sick or injured grey squirrel
How you should help
If they’re trapped, for example in your house or caught in a bird feeder, the law still permits freeing the animal and releasing where found. For animals with only minor injuries, it’s best to leave them in the wild.
If you find an injured or sick squirrel contact your local vet. This is usually the quickest way to get help the RSPCA officers may be out attending other calls. If they’re unavailable, please contact National and they will do their best to help.
Be careful handling squirrels
Squirrels have sharp teeth and can be extremely fast, therefore caution should be taken in attempting to confine a squirrel. If you’re advised to confine an injured or sick squirrel, this should be done wearing suitable thick gloves, and by quickly placing the squirrel into a secure metal or plastic pet carrier with ventilation holes, lined with a towel or newspaper.
Capture and boxing injured wildlife
If it’s safe to catch and handle the animal, then, wearing suitable gloves, quickly place it into a secure cardboard box with ventilation holes, lined with a towel or newspaper.
Keep the animal quiet and take it to a vet (call first to make sure they can take and treat the animal), one of the RSPCA wildlife centres or your local wildlife rehabilitator, (but note not all have been inspected by the National RSPCA). If you are unable to transport the animal, call National on 0300 1234 999.
Click here to visit the National RSPCA website for more information and tips.
Lockdown Kittens
We have some very special birthdays to celebrate!
The anniversary of the UK lockdown on the 23rd March means today, the 24th March, is the first birthday of our four lockdown kittens: Ash, Cinder, Coal and Ember!
These little cuties were born to a cat in our care called Puma in the early hours of the 24th March in the kitchen of our Animal Welfare Manager, Chloe. It took three hours with Chloe helping her every step of the way and by the morning, we had four more animals in our care. We shared weekly updates on them to show how quickly they were growing up and our wonderful supporters even chose their names for us!
One year on, we’ve gotten in touch with their new owners to find out how Puma and her babies are doing and to see what they are like now they are all grown up!
Puma
Puma came into our care from a multi cat household and our staff suspected that she was pregnant. A veterinary consult confirmed it and a couple of days later she gave birth to four beautiful kittens! After raising her babies to be big and strong she was ready to find her forever home and one year on she’s doing wonderfully:
Puma is a wonderful addition to our family. She has a reputation for being the noisiest cat in the neighbourhood and all my family laugh at how loud she is for such a little cat. She is always asking for attention and fuss with her loud miows and likes nothing better than a tickle under the chin. She has started coming to sit with us on the sofa and likes to spend her days napping my sons bed. She does like to pretend that we don’t feed her and will try to ask everyone for breakfast on the off chance that she will get another helping. We also have to watch all of our food as she will help herself to anything left unguarded!
Ash
The cute little Ash was very active as a kitten but always loved a cuddle in the evening! He was rehomed along side with his sister Cinder and still loves to snuggle up!
Ash rests most of the day upstairs in bed and hits the streets in the early evening coming in and out when he thinks he can get a cuddle or two. He can’t get enough of the kids and will lick them on the face to help us wake them up!
Cinder
Cinder was an inquisitive and naughty little kitten, one year on and it doesn’t look like much has changed!
She follows us around during the day (well, in between her naps). She’s quite low key but she wants to be wherever we are. She will get up from a nap and come into whatever room we’re in and resume her nap there. She absolutely LOVES Lego! She lays down right in the middle of the Lego pile and watches the kids as they play.
Both Cinder and Ash are still very close and still love to nap together and play with each other!
Coal
Coal was an affectionate little kitten with white toes and little white socks on his back feet. As you can see he found his most flattering pose as a young lad and still uses it now!
Ember
Ember was the fluffball of the litter! This little lady kept you on your toes and from what her owners say it looks like this hasn’t changed!
We hoped you enjoyed catching up with our lockdown kittens as much as we did! If you missed our updates last time, you can still check watch them grow up on our Instagram highlights.
We love seeing how our previous residents are getting on so if you’ve adopted an animal from us and would like us to share their story, please get in touch!
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