GHP December

36 | ghp December 2016 Animal & Health Finding a Forever Home stablished in 1990, the aim of Animals in Need is to alleviate suffering in animals. In the years that we have been established, we have acquired a fully equipped animal ambulance, horse box, boat and trailer for transportation plus various first-aid essentials. Although our first-aid equipment is adequate, it does need updating regularly. Animals in Need is a rescue organisation attending animal casualties in and around Northamptonshire. We attend requests for help regarding injured animals and birds on a daily basis, and the use of our animal ambulance is essential. In 1999, we were asked by Northamptonshire Police to work with them attending road traffic accidents and out-of-hour emergencies, and frequently receive emergency calls to help rescue a swan or animal that has strayed onto the motorway. In the New Year, we will be working with staff from Wellingborough Fire and Rescue Service on handling wildlife, horses and farm animals so that they will be better prepared to deal with any animals that may require urgent assistance. In return, we have been offered the assistance of the Service if we require extra support whilst attending an emergency. Feeding and caring for the injured animals we rescue is vitally important, especially in cases of young orphan birds who need a hand feeding every hour from dawn till dusk. Young hedgehogs who have not reached the required weight to survive hibernation over the winter months need to be kept warm and fed – currently, we are caring for over 200. We Animals in Need (AIN) is an animal charity which depends on donations of food, toys and bedding, plus financial donations which enable them to pay for the veterinary bills and utility charges that take up most of their funds. On behalf of the charity, Annie Marriott is extremely grateful to the members of public and to the companies that continue to support AIN and enable them to care for domestic and wild animals, birds and small farm animals that need help. With the charity’s healthcare requirements varying considerably, and over 650 different animals and birds currently in their care, GHP Magazine caught up with Annie Marriott for her experience in providing such an essential service. attend numerous cases where swans have incurred injuries, many from fishing tackle that they’ve swallowed or become tangled in. ‘Maxicare’ is an appeal launched by Animals in Need. We take stray and unwanted dogs from ‘Death Row’ and save them from destruction. The dogs are kept until the right homes become available and no dog (or any other animal or bird) is ever destroyed, unless on veterinary advice. We have a wonderful group of volunteer ‘walkers’ that take our dogs awaiting re-homing for walks each day. The dogs look forward to their walks and in turn, are better able to cope with the new environments that they have been placed in through no fault of their own. It also enables us to assess their needs and characters to ensure that the homes that they go to are suitable both for the dogs and the new owners. Prior to the dog being adopted, a home visit is always made to prospective owners, we are often unaware of the previous history of the dogs so we never rehome to families with children under the age of five. We do ask for a minimum donation for each dog as every dog is neutered, vaccinated, ID chipped, wormed and flea treated. Permanent homes are desperately needed for the many dogs we always have in our care – dogs that would otherwise have been destroyed. E Best Animal Charity 2016 - Northamptonshire