Did you escape a crisis over Christmas?

Boxing Day saw me on the pavement turning the water off at the main. But a leaking pipe can pale into insignificance compared with crises others face, such as being left motherless – a crisis which not infrequently is the reason young animals arrive at rehoming centres.

Fortunately, as well as the possibility of being hand-reared, it may be possible for the orphan to be mothered by another animal. This was where Sophia was able to help when, as a stray, she was taken to the RSPCA with her two tiny kittens.

The RSPCA had been hand-rearing three kittens and they gave them to Sophia to look after.

She took to them like a duck to water. This gentle cat has been Mum to five babies – two of her own and three fostered.

Her mothering is summed up in three words written in her notes on October 1 - “Busy with babies”. She was a lovely mother to all the kittens and they were quickly homed but she has been left behind.

If you would like to home this friendly young cat who has been a doting mother but now needs mothering herself, you can meet her at the RSPCA Cat Adoption Centre, Burket Close, Southall.

Crisis at Christmas

I can’t let Christmas pass without mentioning the charity that looks after hundreds of rough sleepers at Christmas - Crisis at Christmas.

Underpinned by support from The Mayhew Animal Home and willing volunteers, yet again, Crisis has provided a Dog Service which has ensure homeless people who have dogs don’t miss out on the shelter and care Crisis provides to vulnerable people at this time of year.

So often rough sleepers with dogs are excluded from services purely because they have a dog, but not in this case.

The Crisis Dog shelter might have looked unique – a mixture of cave/cottage/stable all rolled into one but it was filled with laughter and love for the guests and their dogs.

Meanwhile, it’s useful to know, if you see a rough sleeper (with or without a dog) that you are concerned about, if you contact StreetLink (Tel: 0300 500 0914 or via their website), they will try and find the individual and connect them to support services.